Buccaneers Beat Falcons 16-0 with Zero Passing Yards in Historic NFL Win

In a rain-soaked game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 without completing a single pass, marking the first time an NFL team has won with zero passing yards since the Buffalo Bills in 1974. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw for 41 touchdowns in 2024, attempted just three passes, all incomplete, as Tampa Bay leaned entirely on its ground game. Running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell combined for 324 rushing yards—the most in a single game in Buccaneers history—with Irving rushing for 170 yards and a touchdown and Gainwell adding 140. The victory improves Tampa Bay's record and keeps them in playoff contention, while the loss further hurts Atlanta's postseason hopes. The game highlights how extreme weather can force teams to abandon modern passing strategies, but it also raises questions about the sustainability of such a one-dimensional approach. As the NFL continues to evolve into a pass-first league, this throwback performance serves as a reminder that sometimes, winning ugly is still winning.