The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) defeated the Atlanta Falcons (3-5) 16-0 on Sunday in a rain-soaked home game that produced statistics 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 is also the first team since the 1945 Pittsburgh Steelers to win by double digits without a completion, and the first since the 1933 Boston Braves (now Washington Commanders) to combine zero completions with over 300 rushing yards in a game.
With heavy rain affecting the passing game, the Buccaneers relied entirely on their ground attack, amassing 324 rushing yards. 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 carries. 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.
The Buccaneers have now won consecutive games against NFC South rivals despite a limited passing game. Over the last two weeks, Mayfield has completed just seven of 14 passes for 64 yards and one touchdown. The defense has compensated, forcing four turnovers against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, including a 32-yard fumble return touchdown, and four interceptions against Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on Sunday. Penix completed only eight of 24 passes for 125 yards, marking the first time a Falcons quarterback has thrown four interceptions in a game since Kirk Cousins did so in a Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 season.
The NFC South remains tightly contested. The Carolina Panthers lead the division at 3-4 entering Week 9, with the Buccaneers and Falcons both at 3-5, and the New Orleans Saints at 2-5 on a bye week.
