Buccaneers Shut Out Falcons 16-0 Without Completing a Pass, Run for Franchise-Record 324 Yards

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 on Sunday without completing a single pass. In steady and at times torrential rain at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay ran for a single-game franchise-record 324 yards and intercepted Michael Penix Jr. four times for its first shutout since the 2023 season finale.

According to the team’s official recap, the Buccaneers are the first NFL team to win without a completion since the Buffalo Bills did it against the New York Jets in 1974.

Falcons vs. Buccaneers: a game decided by the weather

The rain started just before kickoff and never really let up. The two quarterbacks combined to complete two passes in the first half, and kicker Chase McLaughlin supplied all the scoring before the break with field goals of 46, 34 and 42 yards for a 9-0 lead. He is now 19 of 19 on field goals this season.

Tampa Bay finally reached the end zone late in the third quarter. Bucky Irving broke a 46-yard run, Kenny Gainwell followed with a 28-yarder to the Atlanta 6, and Irving scored from 4 yards out to make it 16-0.

“We knew it was going to be a nasty day,” coach Todd Bowles said, per Buccaneers.com. “We were worried about ball security, and we took care of it other than the fumble in the end zone.”

That fumble was the one blemish. After Alex Anzalone’s first interception, Baker Mayfield fumbled a snap, scrambled and pitched a lateral to Irving, who appeared headed for a touchdown before Falcons safety Jessie Bates punched the ball loose at the 1. It went through the end zone for a touchback.

Baker Mayfield stats: 0 for 3

Mayfield attempted only three passes and completed none, and he took a 2-yard sack. That produced an odd line: 324 rushing yards but 322 total net yards. The team recap noted that two of his three throws were on target but dropped, and that he played without the custom glove he had been using to protect his right thumb.

Is Baker Mayfield playing?

Yes. Mayfield started and played the whole game, and he praised the running game afterward. “It’s big time,” he said, per Buccaneers.com, adding that in those conditions “you know you’re running it.” Mayfield also kept the ball on a zone read for a first down and scrambled several times.

Michael Penix Jr. struggles in the rain

Atlanta’s offense never got going. Penix completed 8 of 24 passes for 125 yards with four interceptions and a 12.0 passer rating, per the Buccaneers’ recap. Anzalone picked him off twice in Atlanta territory on the Falcons’ second and third possessions, and Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum added interceptions. The Falcons finished with 224 total yards, 76 of them on one broken-play catch-and-run by Jahan Dotson late in the fourth quarter. That drive ended on downs at the goal line.

Atlanta also missed a 53-yard field goal on its opening drive and was stopped on several fourth-down tries.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats

Tampa Bay - Bucky Irving: career-high 27 carries, 170 yards, 1 TD - Kenny Gainwell: 24 carries, 140 yards (career high) - Baker Mayfield: 0 of 3 passing - Chase McLaughlin: 3 of 3 on field goals - Alex Anzalone: 2 interceptions - Jacob Parrish: 1 interception, 7 tackles, 2 passes defended - Zyon McCollum: 1 interception

Atlanta - Michael Penix Jr.: 8 of 24, 125 yards, 4 INT - Jahan Dotson: 76-yard reception

Irving and Gainwell became only the second pair of Buccaneers to each top 100 rushing yards in the same game. Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn did it against Minnesota on Nov. 1, 1998, exactly 28 years earlier.

Tampa Bay weather and what’s next

The downpour shaped every decision. “You could see, with the downpour and the wind blowing… that ball wasn’t going anywhere,” Bowles said.

With the win, Tampa Bay improved to 3-5 and 2-0 in the NFC South, which leaves the Bucs tied with Atlanta in the overall standings, according to the team. Carolina is 3-4 and New Orleans, idle this week, is 2-5. The Buccaneers have now forced four turnovers in back-to-back games.