Tampa Bay Buccaneers win NFL game without completing a pass, first time that’s happened in half a century
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 in heavy rain without completing a pass, a rare result in the Super Bowl era. Their victory also set a club record for rushing yards and improved their position in the NFC South.
Baker Mayfield attempted three passes, completing none, as the weather and wind made throwing difficult. Bucky Irving ran for 170 yards and Kenneth Gainwell for 140, helping Tampa Bay reach 324 rushing yards; Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr completed eight of 24 passes and threw four interceptions. The only other NFL team reported to have won a game without a completion since the Super Bowl era began was the Buffalo Bills in 1974.
In short
- Tampa Bay won 16-0 without completing a pass.
- The Buccaneers rushed for a club-record 324 yards.
- Atlanta threw four interceptions in the rain.
Explained simply
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons are American football teams in the NFL, the United States’ top professional league. Both play in the NFC South, a group whose members compete for a place in the post-season play-offs.
Teams can advance the ball by running with it or throwing it to a player downfield. Passing is usually a central part of the game, but poor weather can make throws harder to control; the Buccaneers’ strong running game also reflects the role of running backs such as Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. The result is notable for how rarely an NFL team wins without completing a pass, and for the scale of Tampa Bay’s rushing total.