Buccaneers win without completing a pass in historic game

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 08:21 · Archive

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 without completing any passes, the first such win in 50 years.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 without completing a single pass, a historic result on Sunday in rain-soaked conditions at Raymond James Stadium. Quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted three passes with zero completions as the team rushed for a club-record 324 yards.

Coach Todd Bowles explained the unusual strategy was driven by weather. 'The conditions told him that,' Bowles said of the unrelenting downpour and wind. 'You could see the ball wasn't going anywhere.' The game marked the first time an NFL team won without completing a pass since the Buffalo Bills defeated the New York Jets 16-12 on 29 September 1974, half a century ago.

Mayfield, a former first overall pick, has thrown for 41 touchdowns and 4,500 passing yards this season. The victory gave the Buccaneers renewed life in the NFC South division.

How it is being reported

• Zero passing yards, one win. Did the Bucs just reinvent the NFL in all the wrong ways?In a downpour against the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay decided throwing was for losers. They were proved right I don’t think I’m being cheeky when I say that passing is the most exciting part of football. A solid hit is nice, and a big run can thrill you, but this is a quarterback-centric game. When a QB is bad, teams usually lose and fans get bored. So, Sunday’s performance by Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has me positively gobsmacked. I wouldn’t say their 16-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons was thrill-a-minute, but it certainly was historic. By completing a grand total of zero…The Guardian · 2 Nov, 08:00
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers win NFL game without completing a pass, first time that's happened in half a centuryBaker Mayfield attempted three passes with zero completions as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushed for a club-record 324 yards in a rain-soaked shutout.Fox News · 1 Nov, 22:32

In this story: Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Atlanta Falcons · Baker Mayfield · Todd Bowles · Raymond James Stadium

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