TAMPA, Fla. — In a driving downpour that turned Raymond James Stadium into a quagmire, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers accomplished an NFL feat not seen in half a century, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 on Sunday without completing a single pass.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted only three passes and completed none, ABC News reported. Instead, Tampa Bay leaned entirely on a bruising ground assault, racking up a franchise-record 324 rushing yards on 56 attempts to sweep past their divisional rivals.
A Ground Game for the History Books
The unusual victory marked the first time an NFL team won a contest without a pass completion since the Buffalo Bills defeated the New York Jets on Sept. 29, 1974, according to ABC News. Tampa Bay also became the first team to win by double digits without completing a pass since the Pittsburgh Steelers blanked the Chicago Cardinals on Nov. 11, 1945.
Running back Bucky Irving led the charge with a career-high 170 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Kenneth Gainwell added a career-best 140 yards on 25 carries, Sports Illustrated reported. Mayfield even contributed with downfield blocking in the mud, including a key fourth-quarter block against safety Jessie Bates III on a 28-yard run by Gainwell.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Mayfield said, according to ABC News. “That’s all that matters to me.”
The Buccaneers eclipsed their prior franchise single-game rushing standard of 283 yards, set in November 2015 against Philadelphia, Touchdown Wire noted. Irving put the game out of reach in the third quarter with a four-yard touchdown sprint through the rain.
Falcons Offense Stalls in the Rain
While Tampa Bay found success keeping the ball on the ground, Atlanta struggled to manage the slick conditions. Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finished 8 of 24 for 125 yards and threw four interceptions, three of which occurred during the first half, Sports Illustrated reported.
Buccaneers linebacker Alex Anzalone intercepted Penix twice, setting up short fields that resulted in field goals by Chase McLaughlin. Jacob Parrish added another fourth-down interception inside Tampa Bay territory. McLaughlin remained perfect on the season, converting kicks from 46, 34 and 42 yards out, ABC News reported.
Atlanta managed only 99 yards rushing on 28 carries, with Bijan Robinson held to 76 yards on 19 attempts, according to Sports Illustrated. Kicker Nick Folk missed a 53-yard field goal wide left in the first quarter, dropping to 12 of 17 on field goals this season.
Injury Report and What Comes Next
Both teams suffered injuries during the divisional clash. Atlanta wide receiver Zacchariah Branch and defensive end Samson Ebukam each left the game due to hamstring issues, ABC News reported. For Tampa Bay, outside linebacker Yaya Diaby exited during the opening quarter with a knee injury.
The victory moved Tampa Bay to 3-5, while Atlanta dropped to 3-5. Both clubs remain just a half-game behind the 3-4 Carolina Panthers in the tight NFC South standings, Touchdown Wire reported.
Atlanta now prepares to travel overseas to Madrid, Spain, where the Falcons will face the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday. Tampa Bay travels north to visit the Chicago Bears in a primetime matchup next Sunday night.
