The Buccaneers continued their climb out of the NFC South cellar, shutting out the Atlanta Falcons 16-0. Heavy rains slowed both teams, but Tampa Bay had all the right answers on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they simply ran the ball down Atlanta's throat, rushing 56 times for 324 yards, a franchise single-game record. The run game was so overwhelming that the Bucs attempted just three passes, the fewest of any NFL team in a winning effort since 1974.
Defensively, the Bucs put Falcons quarterback Michael Penix in a vice while doing their usual work on Atlanta's ground attack, holding them to 99 yards on 22 rush attempts for a 3.5-yard-per-rush average. Penix turned the ball over four times and never seemed to know what Tampa Bay's defense
was doing.
Here are three reasons why the Bucs defeated the Falcons in Week 8:
Todd Bowles had Michael Penix's number
Todd Bowles got his revenge after last year's devastating Week 15 loss to Penix and the Falcons. Tampa Bay's defense had Penix on his heels all day. They forced four interceptions and allowed just eight completions on 24 attempts for 125 yards, 76 of which came on one pass.
Penix completed more passes to Bucs players than Baker Mayfield even attempted. Alex Anzalone got the game started with interceptions on consecutive drives before the Bucs' cornerback duo of Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish added one each.
The Bucs also kept the Falcons from converting any third downs and held them to just three fourth-down conversions on six attempts. Shutting down Atlanta's passing attack let the Bucs lean even harder on the run game, control the clock, and dictate the game's overall script.
The Buccaneers did not need a pass offense
For the second straight week, the Bucs offense ran entirely through the run. Running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell each had career days in rush yards, and PFF combined them for 229 yards after contact. The offensive line and tight ends made it all possible, imposing their will on another NFC South defense with its overwhelming gap blocking. While running the ball over 50 times a game may not be an option every week, the Bucs have posted big wins in back-to-back weeks without a real passing threat, thanks to their run game's dominance.
Chase McLaughlin may be the NFL's best kicker
The Buccaneers' lack of passing offense limits their endzone opportunities. Fortunately, they might have the NFL's best kicker in Chase McLaughlin. He remained perfect for the season, converting all three field goal attempts and an extra point despite the soaked field conditions. In the fifth game this season, McLaughlin accounted for over half of Tampa Bay's total points. Without his sure foot, the Bucs might not be on track to compete for the NFC South division title.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 3 reasons why the Bucs beat the Falcons in Week 8
