Penix Throws Four Picks as Falcons Are Shut Out 16-0 by Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. — The Atlanta Falcons did not score on a soaked Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, falling 16-0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC South game that turned on four interceptions thrown by Michael Penix Jr.

Tampa Bay won without a single completed pass. Baker Mayfield threw three times, all incomplete, and his last attempt came early in the second quarter as rain fell steadily through the first half. No NFL team had won without completing a pass since Buffalo did it in 1974.

The Buccaneers simply ran. They carried the ball 56 times for 324 yards, a franchise single-game record and the most rushing yards any opponent has put up against Atlanta this century. Bucky Irving went for a career-high 170 yards and the game’s only touchdown, a 4-yard run late in the third quarter, and Kenny Gainwell added 140 yards. Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals.

Penix, who grew up in Tampa and played in front of family, finished 8 of 24 for 125 yards. Linebacker Alex Anzalone picked him off twice in the first quarter, and cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum each added one. Penix had thrown only one interception all season before Sunday and said afterward he would bounce back. Coach Kevin Stefanski said he has no worries about the quarterback’s development and credited Tampa Bay with outplaying and outcoaching his team.

Atlanta never found a rhythm. The Falcons went 0 for 12 on third down and gained just 99 rushing yards, with Bijan Robinson held to 76 on 19 carries. Jahan Dotson’s 76-yard catch in the fourth quarter set up Atlanta at the Tampa Bay 22, but the drive ended on a fourth-down incompletion. Nick Folk also missed a 53-yard field goal on the opening drive.

It was the first time the Falcons were shut out since a Week 3 loss at Carolina last season. The loss came a week after Atlanta upset San Francisco and Penix earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Atlanta, now 3-5, plays the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid next Sunday.

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