The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) earned a 16-0 home win over the Atlanta Falcons (3-5) on Sunday in heavy rain, achieving a statistical anomaly not seen in the NFL for decades.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, returning from a three-game absence due to a right thumb dislocation, did not complete any of his three pass attempts, making Tampa Bay the first team since the 1974 Buffalo Bills to win a game without a single completion. The Buccaneers 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).
The ground attack was led by running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for 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). Irving and Gainwell are the first teammate duo in NFL history to each record 25-plus carries and 125-plus rushing yards in the same game. Mayfield contributed 14 rushing yards on four carries.
Tampa Bay's defense forced Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into a career-high four interceptions; he completed just 8 of 24 passes for 125 yards. It marked the first time a Falcons quarterback threw four interceptions in a game since Kirk Cousins did so in Week 13 of the 2024 season.
With the win, the Buccaneers have now won consecutive games against NFC South rivals despite a limited passing game. The Panthers remain atop the division at 3-4 entering Week 9, with Tampa Bay and Atlanta both at 3-5, while the Saints sit at 2-5 on a bye.
