When it rains it pours, especially in Tampa. You don't need to remind Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who just put in the worst game of his NFL career in a sopping wet 16-0 loss to the Buccaneers.
Facing pouring sheets of rain, Penix never got into a rhythm and threw three interceptions before the first half was even over. Atlanta got some valiant efforts on the other side of the ball, but they all went to waste in the face of a total failure on offense.
Here's a quick review of all three phases for Atlanta.
Offense
The Falcons had a chance to put some points on the board at the end of their first possession, but kicker Nick Folk missed very wide left on a 53-yard field goal. It seems that the team never recovered from that early disaster.
Penix in particular struggled, and not just with the elements. He simply could not read the field and threw two early ugly picks to linebacker Alex Anzalone - who Penix clearly could not see for some reason. Penix forced his third interception on a fourth down to Drake London in the second quarter and another in garbage time. He wound up with a horrific line of 8/24 for 125 yards, zero touchdowns, four picks and a near-impossible 12.0 passer rating.
The rushing attack was better, as Bijan Robinson was able to break off a couple of explosive runs against the second-ranked run defense in the league. Robinson's efforts ended with 76 yards on 19 carries, but it speaks to the passing game's dysfunction that he didn't record a single reception.
Defense
The final score could have been even worse if not for a heroic effort from Jeff Ulbrich's defense early on. Cornerback Mike Hughes saved a touchdown at the end of Tampa's first drive with an excellent pass breakup in the end zone. Star safety Jessie Bates saved another with a forced fumble at the goal line shortly after. That saved at least 10 points, but the Falcons still went into the half trailing 9-0.
With the field looking like a slip-and-slide, it was tough footing for Atlanta's pass rush, which posted zero sacks and one QB hit. The Bucs hardly bothered to throw the ball, anyway. They kept on feeding Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell and Baker Mayfield did not complete a single pass the entire game. That 1932-ass stat tells the story as much as any number coming out of this one, as does Tampa's rushing line - 324 yards on the ground at 5.8 yards per carry.
At the very least the Falcons got another strong game from rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels, who's doing great work with defensive centerpiece Divine Deablo out. Daniels posted a team-high 14 tackles.
Special teams
Aside from a big return from Olamide Zaccheaus (37 yards) there wasn't much to like here, either. Folk's missed field goal set the tone for a forgettable afternoon. Folk never got another chance to kick, while Jake Bailey racked up 193 yards on four punts.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Instant Analysis: Falcons flounder against Buccaneers in Week 8 loss
