Buccaneers beat Falcons 16-0 without completing a pass, the first such win since 1974, as Lamar Jackson's thumb injury may end his season
Tampa Bay won 16-0 in the rain with no completed pass, a feat last seen in 1974. Lamar Jackson needs thumb surgery after one play in a 36-10 loss to Buffalo.
At a glance
- Tampa Bay beat Atlanta 16-0 on Sunday in heavy rain with Baker Mayfield going 0-for-3, the first NFL win without a completed pass since the 1974 Buffalo Bills and only the third ever.
- Bucky Irving ran for 170 yards and a touchdown, while Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions.
- Lamar Jackson hurt his right throwing thumb on Baltimore's first play in his return from an ankle injury. He needs surgery and goes on injured reserve, and his season may be over.
- Buffalo won 36-10, with Baltimore ending the game on rookie Joe Fagnano after Tyler Huntley was also hurt.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 on Sunday, November 1, 2026, without completing a single pass. Baker Mayfield went 0-for-3 in a downpour, and Tampa Bay became the first NFL team to win without a completion since the 1974 Buffalo Bills, and only the third to do it at all.
On the same Week 8 afternoon, the league lost one of its biggest stars. Baltimore's Lamar Jackson injured his throwing thumb on his team's first play against Buffalo and will have surgery, with the Ravens fearing his season is finished.
How Tampa Bay won with nothing through the air
In wet and sloppy conditions, the Buccaneers simply stopped throwing. Bucky Irving carried the offence with 170 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Kenny Gainwell added another large rushing total to wear down the Atlanta defence.
The other half of the story was the Falcons' quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions, handing Tampa Bay field position that made passing unnecessary. Atlanta failed to score at all, which means the Bucs' defence earned its shutout on a day when the attack gained zero yards through the air.
| Buccaneers 16-0 Falcons | Key number |
|---|---|
| Mayfield passing | 0-for-3, 0 yards |
| Irving rushing | 170 yards, 1 TD |
| Penix interceptions | 4 |
| Last team to win with no completions | Buffalo Bills, 1974 |
| Teams ever to do it | 3 |
Zero completions is a feat from another era of football. Offences in the 1970s often ran on almost every down. In a modern NFL built on the pass, it took a storm and an opponent giving the ball away repeatedly to make it possible.
One play, then surgery for Lamar Jackson
Jackson was back after missing time with an ankle injury. His return lasted a single snap. His right thumb struck the helmet of Bills defender Greg Rousseau on Baltimore's opening play, and he did not come back.
Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Jackson will need surgery and will be placed on injured reserve. That rules him out for at least four games, and Minter acknowledged the concern that it could end his season.
The day then got worse for Baltimore. Backup Tyler Huntley was also hurt, leaving rookie Joe Fagnano to finish the game as Buffalo rolled to a 36-10 win.
Jackson is a two-time league MVP, and the Ravens' offence is built around what he does with his arm and legs. Losing him for the rest of the year would change the outlook in the AFC, and Baltimore's first task is to work out who starts next week.
Other Week 8 talking points
- Cardinals 33, Cowboys 30 in overtime: Gardner Minshew led the Arizona comeback. Dallas owner Jerry Jones afterwards backed coach Brian Schottenheimer, saying the team had let the coach down.
- Bengals beat the Titans in overtime.
- Lions beat the Vikings, but linebacker Jack Campbell was placed on a backboard, carted off and taken to hospital with a neck injury. Further updates are expected from Detroit.
Away from the NFL, Florida State fired head coach Mike Norvell during his seventh season, with the team at 3-5.
Chiefs at Broncos was still being played when this report was filed. Week 8 ends with Monday night's game, and the Ravens are expected to give more detail on Jackson's surgery this week.
