Last week against the Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were about to put up 43 points in a 30-point victory with quarterback Baker Mayfield only completing seven passes for 64 yards. 

It turns out that was seven more completions and 64 more passing yards than the Bucs need to win. 

On Sunday, Tampa earned a crucial division victory over the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 for its third win of the season and second straight over an NFC South foe. 

Shockingly, the Bucs were able to earn the shutout win without completing a single pass. 

Mayfield finished the game throwing only three passes, none of which found their way into the hands of a Tampa receiver. Mayfield was sacked once, giving the team a total of minus-2 passing yards for the game. 

The Bucs ran the ball an astounding 56 times for 324 yards. Bucky Irving led the way with 170 yards on 27 carries and scored Tampa’s only touchdown. 

Kenny Gainwell had his best game as a Buc, running 25 times for 140 yards. 

Mayfield added 14 rushing yards on four carries. 

An NFL team winning a game without completing a pass hasn’t happened in over 50 years. 

The last time it happened was September 29, 1974, when the Buffalo Bills defeated Joe Namath and the New York Jets.

Heavy rain and a muddy field were the main culprits behind Tampa’s abandonment of the pass game. The ball was almost impossible to grip, as evidenced by Mayfield’s three fumbles. Luckily, he was able to recover all of them. 

The Falcons, on the other hand, may regret sticking with the pass. 

Michael Penix Jr. completed only eight of his 24 passes and threw four interceptions. His passer rating of 12.0 was 27.6 points lower than Mayfield’s. 

Game conditions aside, Sunday was a huge win for Tampa. 

The Bucs have risen from the dead and are now only a half game behind the Panthers for first place in the NFC South. 

Atlanta came into Tampa on top of the world after beating the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers last week. 

However, the Falcons couldn’t overcome the weather or the Bucs’ defense. Atlanta could only muster 225 yards of total offense and averaged only 3.5 yards per rush despite a run game led by superstar running back Bijan Robinson. 

Despite the terrific performances from Tampa’s running backs and the defense, the story of this game will undoubtedly be the Bucs being able to win without completing even a single pass. 

The Bucs need wins no matter how they get them. Now 3-5 on the season, Tampa has likely reclaimed the title of division favorite. 

Tampa has an incredibly tough task in its next game. The Bucs go on the road to take on the 5-2 Chicago Bears next week on Sunday Night Football. 

It’s fair to assume the Bucs will need to complete at least one pass to defeat the Bears.