Buccaneers Blank Falcons as Rushing Attack Dominates in the Rain

WHO:

Atlanta Falcons - Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 8 of 24 passes for 125 yards and threw four interceptions, the first game of his NFL career with more than two interceptions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Running back Bucky Irving had 27 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown; Kenny Gainwell had 140 rushing yards. Buccaneers.com reports Gainwell had 24 carries in its game recap and 25 in other reports; the Falcons’ website also reports 25.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted three passes and completed none. The articles say he was returning after missing three games with a dislocated right thumb.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Linebacker Alex Anzalone intercepted Penix twice; defensive backs Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum each added an interception.

Atlanta Falcons - Safety Jessie Bates III forced a fumble by punching the ball out of Irving’s hands just before the goal line; the resulting touchback gave Atlanta possession at its own 20-yard line.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kicker Chase McLaughlin made field goals from 46, 34 and 42 yards. Buccaneers.com reported his season totals as 19-for-19 on field goals and 17-for-17 on extra points.

WHAT:

Buccaneers.com - Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 16-0 in a shutout. The win was Tampa Bay’s second consecutive NFC South victory and its first shutout since the 2023 season finale.

Buccaneers.com - Tampa Bay set a franchise single-game rushing record, reported as 324 yards in most articles. The Rapid Reaction article reports 325 yards in one passage and 324 elsewhere.

Atlanta Falcons - Atlanta went 0-for-12 on third down and 3-for-6 on fourth down; it finished with 99 rushing yards and 224 total yards.

Buccaneers.com - Tampa Bay called designed runs on 90.0% of its plays, the highest single-game rate since 2021 and second-highest in the Next Gen Stats era.

Buccaneers.com - Irving and Gainwell became the first teammates, according to Elias Sports, to each record at least 25 carries and 125 rushing yards in one game. They were the second Buccaneers duo to each exceed 100 rushing yards in a game.

WHERE:

Atlanta Falcons - The game was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

WHY:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Coaches and players said the rain and wind made passing and ball handling difficult, prompting Tampa Bay to rely heavily on its rushing attack. Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Atlanta “didn't do a good enough job as a team.”

HOW:

Buccaneers.com - Irving scored on a four-yard run late in the third quarter after runs of 46 yards by Irving and 28 yards by Gainwell set up the touchdown.

Atlanta Falcons - Bates’s forced fumble sent the ball through the end zone for a touchback; Atlanta did not score after gaining possession.

Buccaneers.com - Tampa Bay’s three first-half field goals provided a 9-0 lead; its rushing attack and four interceptions helped preserve the shutout.

Tampa Bay shut out Atlanta 16-0, setting a franchise single-game rushing record. Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell each rushed for at least 140 yards. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions in the defeat.