The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a 16-0 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in a rain-soaked game that produced a statistical anomaly not seen in the NFL for decades.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield did not complete any of his three pass attempts, making the Buccaneers the first team since the 1974 Buffalo Bills to win a game without a single completion. Tampa Bay also became the first team since the 1945 Pittsburgh Steelers to win by double digits without a completion, and the first since the 1933 Boston Braves to combine zero completions with over 300 rushing yards (324). Mayfield had returned from a three-game absence caused by a right thumb dislocation, and in the previous week he completed 7 of 14 passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in a 43-13 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Ground Game Dominance
With heavy rain affecting the passing game, Tampa Bay leaned exclusively on its rushing attack. Running back Bucky Irving led the way with 170 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries (6.3 yards per carry), while Kenneth Gainwell added 140 yards on 25 carries (5.6 yards per carry). Mayfield contributed 14 rushing yards on four attempts. Irving and Gainwell became the first teammate duo in NFL history to each record 25-plus carries and 125-plus rushing yards in the same game.
Defensive Takeaways
The Buccaneers' defense forced Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into a career-high four interceptions, holding him to 8-of-24 passing for 125 yards. It marked the first time a Falcons quarterback threw four interceptions in a game since Kirk Cousins did so in a Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2024 season. A week earlier, Tampa Bay forced four Panthers turnovers, including a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown, in a 43-13 road win.
NFC South Standings
The Carolina Panthers remain atop the NFC South at 3-4 entering Week 9, with the Buccaneers and Falcons both at 3-5. The New Orleans Saints sit last at 2-5 and are on a bye. Through the first half of the season, the division remains the most wide-open in the NFL.
