Coming off of a running bonanza against Carolina for their second win of the season, week eight was set to feature more running, a downpour, and no Baker Mayfield glove. Would a second consecutive game of relentless running by the Buccaneers’ offense be enough for the Buccaneers to climb out of their early season hole and to the top of the NFC South?
First Quarter:
It was Todd Bowles’ defense up first on Sunday. Battling on a water-logged field, Tampa’s strongest unit took the field and bent a bit, however, there
was no break. The Falcons pushed into Tampa territory before ultimately needing to settle for a long field goal attempt. Weather conditions not favoring Nick Folk, the kick was missed and missed badly. Converting turnovers into points or this case missed field goals into points gave Tampa the first lead of the day. 3-0, Buccaneers.
The response from the Falcons was quite mild, an interception by Alex Anzalone. Penix looking for Drake London on a slant, found Anzalone for his second interception of the season. Turnovers into points would fail Tampa on their next drive— Bucky Ivring, breaking into space on a broken play, was met by Jessie Bates at the goal line for a 2023 Antoine Winfield Jr.-esque forced fumble stripping the ball out at the goal line which rolled through the end zone for a touchback.
Rest assured, Tampa’s defense understood the assignment. Back on the field, following an Alex Anzalone pick that didn’t result into points, fans watched Michael Penix drop back and throw another Alex Anzalone interception— His second of the day and third of the season. One more field goal off of an Alex Anzalone interception and the Buccaneers expanded their lead. 6-0, Tampa Bay.
Second Quarter:
The difference between the start of the game’s first quarter and its second? Not much. More rain and more Micheal Penix interceptions. For the start of quarter number two, Penix, under pressure from Rueben Bain Jr., decided to spread the wealth tossing a fourth down interception to Jacob Parrish.
Back on the field after another turnover, Tampa Bay’s offense stayed consistent. Run, run, run, and run. The Buccaneers’ only pass attempt of the drive would actually wind up as a rush attempt as well after Baker Mayfield scooped up his third fumble of the day and scurried forward for a short gain. Tampa’s first drive of the second quarter ended with 4:04 left in the half and three more points on the scoreboard. 9-0, Buccaneers.
The Bucs and Falcons would each exchange run-first, slow-paced, non-scoring drive to close out half number one and head to the intermission— The only first half since 1978 to feature less than three completed passes.
Third Quarter:
With zero first half completions and a two-score lead, Baker Mayfield was under center at the 30 yard line to start the third quarter— Run, run, third down drop, and a punt. Tampa Bay, still repping their signature no completion streak, sent their defense back out onto the field for another three-and-out stop.
The third quarter was nothing but rain and punts until the final five minutes. Bucky Irving ripped through Atlanta’s defense for a 45 yard rush— Two plays later, it was Kenny Gainwell’s turn. Gainwell, with his second break away run in as many weeks, put the Buccaneers inside the 10 yard line. It would be another two plays until Bucky Irving put the Bucs inside the end zone. 16-0, Tampa Bay.
Fourth Quarter:
The Falcons seized some bits of momentum in the waning moments of the third quarter. With the final quarter beginning at the Tampa Bay 30 yard line and an Atlanta decision. Neglecting a short field goal the Falcons opted for a forth down attempted and converted with a Michael Penix tush push. Unfortunately for Falcons’ fans, the team would ask Penix to throw next and he would once again throw to a Tampa Bay defender. Penix’s fourth interception would be tossed to Zyon McCollum.
Atlanta’s next bite at the apple would be from their 12 yard with just over seven minutes to go— Three-and-out.
Tampa’s response— Three-and-out.
Backed up from their own two, Michael Penix found Atlanta’s biggest spark of the day— Jahan Dotson for 76 yards. Dotson’s catch and run was the only chink Todd Bowles’ armor, the Falcons’ drive was immediately stalled afterwards and the Buccaneers salted away the rest of the clock and the game. Tampa Bay, despite their 0-4 start, is 3-5 and very much in contention of the NFC South.
