The Atlanta Falcons turned in a stinker against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, failing to score a single point in a 16-0 shutout at Raymond James Stadium. Fans of old-school football and poor quarterback likely enjoyed this rain-filled NFC South matchup, but it wasn't a great showing for Michael Penix Jr. or Baker Mayfield.
Penix threw four interceptions, including two first-quarter picks, to put the Falcons behind early. The Buccaneers passing game didn't fare much better. Mayfield went 0/3 for the day, despite playing all four quarters.
Tampa Bay leaned on running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell for over 300 rushing yards. Atlanta was held under 100 rushing yards, with Bijan Robinson finishing with 76 yards on 19 carries. Defensively,
the Falcons were unable to stop a historically one-dimensional Bucs offense.
NFL fans were unimpressed with the sloppy quarterback play in Sunday's NFC South showdown in Tampa.
NFL world reacts to Falcons' 16-0 loss to Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield beating the Falcons pic.twitter.com/kMyM8VbZww
— Simpsons NFL (@TheSimpsonsNFL) November 1, 2026
Buccaneers beat Atlanta 16-0 without completing a pass.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2026
They are the first NFL team since the 1974 Buffalo Bills to win a game without completing a pass.
Wild, but true
— PFF (@PFF) November 1, 2026
Baker Mayfield is 0-3, yet has a higher passer rating (39.6) than Michael Penix (0.0) today pic.twitter.com/dNS0NEZm3e
WHEN YOU DO NONE OF THE WORK ON THE GROUP PROJECT BUT YOU STILL GET AN A pic.twitter.com/S5BZ6KnLPd
— CONTENDRS (@contendrsmedia) November 1, 2026
If I send you this I’m going to come to work, but I ain’t gonna do much! 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/XNK1S7wmX0
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) November 1, 2026
Penix went from NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 7 to 4 interceptions (and counting) in Week 8
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) November 1, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. when asked if he’s ever played a game like this
— Not Bijan (@InBijanWeTrust) November 1, 2026
“Nah man I ain’t never throw 4 picks in a game… it’s all good man ima shake back I promise you” pic.twitter.com/rKJ303NjNd
I was beginning to forget the times when the Falcons would find really insane ways to lose, but they restored the feeling today 🫶
— kelsey sutton (@kelseytsutton) November 1, 2026
16-0 without a completion. Atlanta’s defense couldn’t even stop a handoff.
— UZO (@OgidintaLynus) November 1, 2026
Beat the 49ers one week, break a 52-year-old record for losing a game without a completed pass against the next week. Falcons life. pic.twitter.com/e2cX6JYLmk
— Matt Fenton (@SuprMario47) November 1, 2026
One day I hope that you love me as much as I love you @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/H77eR8bBXD
— Carrie (@Carrie_ATL) November 1, 2026
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL world reacts to historically bad QB play in Falcons-Bucs game
