9 winners (and 2 losers) after Buccaneers’ shutout win over the Falcons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up a crucial NFC South victory in Week 8, beating the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 in dominant fashion to put themselves within a half-game of the division lead.

It was a strange game, and one Bucs fans will never forget. Tampa Bay leaned entirely on the run game through torrential downpours, going the entire four quarters without completing a single pass. The Buccaneers became the first team since 1974 to pull off that feat. 

They won by running all over the Falcons to the tune of a franchise-record 324 yards while the defense caught four interceptions and pitched a shutout. In a game that will live on forever in Bucs lore, which players were most impressive, and who had the most disappointing performances?

Winners & Losers after Buccaneers’ 16-0 win over the Falcons

Winner: RB Bucky Irving

Bucky Irving set a new career high, rushing for 170 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per attempt.

Irving has surpassed 100 yards in all three of Tampa Bay’s wins this season, and he seems to be the key to the Bucs' success. He's playing the best football of his career and continues to put this team on his back.

Winner: RB Kenny Gainwell

Kenny Gainwell also set a career high in rushing, picking up 140 yards and serving as the perfect complement to Irving.

After being an afterthought in the offensive game plans early in the season, Gainwell has suddenly become a key cog in Zac Robinson’s offense, and he’s making the most of his opportunities.

Winner: Bucs' Run Blocking

You don’t set a franchise record in rushing yards without the big boys up front leading the way. 

Tampa Bay’s offensive line and tight ends went up against the No. 4 rushing defense in the NFL and simply embarrassed them.

Every player in the trenches had some key blocks to spring big runs. Heck, even Baker Mayfield got involved as a lead blocker on several occasions. 

This was a complete team effort as the Buccaneers proved to be the more physical team on the field.

Winner: LB Alex Anzalone

Alex Anzalone played his best game as a Buccaneer, finishing with six tackles, including one for loss, and two interceptions. 

Anzalone’s two forced turnovers in the first quarter helped the Buccaneers set the tone defensively early, paving the way for the shutout.

Loser: WR Ted Hurst

It’s hard to find a loser from this game, but Ted Hurst had a perfect ball from Baker Mayfield land in his hands, and allowed it to be broken up. 

Hurst was hyped up as a red zone threat with impressive contested catch ability, but he’s yet to showcase that skillset for the Buccaneers. 

The ball doesn’t come his way much in this run-heavy offense, and if he wants to unlock a bigger role, he needs to take better advantage of the opportunities he’s given to make big plays.

Winner: Todd Bowles

Credit where it’s due. Todd Bowles has put together an elite defense this season, and they proved it against Atlanta. 

His unit got some help from the rainy conditions, but regardless, the Falcons were scoring 31 points per game with Michael Penix Jr. at the helm, ranking second in the NFL entering Week 8. Holding that explosive offense scoreless and shutting down the likes of Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts speaks volumes about how much this defense has improved.

The Buccaneers held the Falcons to 0-for-12 on third downs, forced four turnovers, and held Atlanta under 100 yards rushing for just the second time this season. Bowles has his defense firing on all cylinders.

Winners: CBs Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish

Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish continue to cement themselves as an elite cornerback duo in the NFL, and I couldn’t help but list them together as a tandem.

Drake London was held to just one catch for eight yards. He had been averaging five catches for 88 yards per game entering Sunday’s contest — until he ran into the Buccaneers.

In addition to lockdown coverage, McCollum and Parrish both caught an interception off of Michael Penix Jr.

Tampa Bay has never been a franchise that gets recognition from the national media, but I’ll continue to shout it from the rooftops: McCollum and Parrish are both playing at an All-Pro level this season.

Winner: K Chase McLaughlin

The windy, rainy conditions would’ve been a challenge for most kickers, but to nobody's surprise, Chase McLaughlin was automatic as always.

He made all three of his field goal attempts as well as his only extra point attempts as he stays perfect on the year.

Winner: P Riley Dixon

Riley Dixon lands in the winner’s column for the first time this season. 

Things started ugly with a 29-yard shank, but I’ll give him a pass given the conditions.

He bounced back with four punts that pinned the Falcons’ inside their own 20-yard line, including punts downed at the 2-yard line, 7-yard line, and 12-yard line. Field position is crucial in a defensive battle like this, and Dixon understood the assignment, flipping the field several times and forcing the Falcons to start drives deep in their own territory.

Loser: RB Sean Tucker

In a game where Irving received 27 carries and Gainwell received 25 carries, Sean Tucker didn’t get to tote the rock a single time.

The Bucs went all-in on the ground game and attempted over 50 rushes, and Tucker not getting a single carry is telling about his role in the offense.

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