The Buccaneers did something today that hasn’t been done in the NFL in over half a century: They played an entire game without completing a pass.
Surprisingly, the Buccaneers still beat the Falcons.
Baker Mayfield completed 0 of 3 passes, but Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell both had over 100 yards rushing, and the Buccaneers won 16-0 on a rainy, sloppy day in Tampa Bay.
The last NFL team to go an entire game without completing a pass was the 1974 Bills, who also won when they did it, beating the Jets 16-12 on a day when OJ Simpson ran for 117 yards.
The Buccaneers were helped by an ugly game from Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, who went 8-for-24 for 125 yards, with no touchdowns and four interceptions. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson struggled to gain footing in the bad weather and finished with 76 yards on 19 carries.
The matchup leaves the Buccaneers and Falcons at 3-5 on the season, and both in the mix in the wide-open NFC South. If the Buccaneers’ defense and running game can continue to play like they did today, the Bucs could be a playoff team. But they will need Mayfield to complete some passes.
Gn sports
