The offense run by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday was the most predictable of the 2026 NFL season.
\n\nFacing the Atlanta Falcons in a key divisional matchup of Week 8, in a game played in a downpour that left standing water pooling on the field in Raymond James Stadium, the Buccaneers attempted only three passes, completing none.
\n\nUnwilling and unable to throw in soggy conditions, they ran it 56 times. The strategy won them the game, 16-0.
\n\n“First time for everything,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said.
\n\nTo say it was an unusual game plan was an understatement. The last time an NFL team had more rushing attempts than Tampa’s 56 was in 2010. The Buccaneers were the first team to win without a completed pass since Buffalo in 1974, per the league. Rarer still was that a team hadn’t won by double digits without completing a pass since 1945, according to one NFL researcher.
\n\nThe Buccaneers had been forced to rely on a ground-heavy offense last week, as well, when quarterback Baker Mayfield threw only 11 times in his first game back since he injured his thumb. Tampa rushed for 258 yards in that win against Carolina, then leaned…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/