Fallos Fall to Buccaneers in Rain Delayed NFC South Loss

The Falcons lost 16-0 to the Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa.

Heavy rain slowed the pace of the game and forced officials to pause play for extended periods. The teams finished regulation with 32 minutes of extra time added to the clock. That made the total running time 123 minutes, the longest for a regular season game in franchise history. The Falcons had not lost a game by a shutout since 1993. They had not been blanked in a regular season game since 2012.

The Falcons started the game as the team to beat in the NFC South. They had won their last three games before Sunday. The weather changed the dynamic. Safety Jessie Bates III said the game was likely the craziest he had ever been part of. The Falcons' offense managed only three points in the first half. They recorded 21 total yards on 3-for-6 passing and 0-for-21 rushing. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 42 yards. He also threw two interceptions. One was a pick-six. He also fumbled once. Running back Bijan Robinson rushed for 47 yards on 10 carries.

Buckey Irving forced a fumble at the goal line. That was the only highlight for the Falcons. The Buccaneers defense recorded a shutout. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 39 yards. The Buccaneers held the Falcons to 21 total yards in the first half. The Falcons scored 16 points in the second half. They could not score again. The Buccaneers defense held the Falcons to one field goal. That field goal came in the fourth quarter. The Falcons failed to convert on a two-point conversion attempt.

The game was delayed for 32 minutes due to rain. The delays were caused by puddles on the field. The officials decided to stop play to prevent injuries. The Falcons had to wait for the field to dry. They returned to the field multiple times. The final score was 16-0. The Buccaneers improved to 7-4. The Falcons fell to 6-5. The Falcons had a 4-4 record before Sunday. The Buccaneers had a 6-2 record before Sunday.

The Falcons play the next home game against the Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers are 4-3. The Buccaneers play the Saints on Sunday. The Saints are 3-4. The NFC South standings are: Buccaneers 7-4, Falcons 6-5, Panthers 4-4, Saints 3-4. The Falcons will face the Panthers in Atlanta on November 8. The Panthers will play the Saints in New Orleans on November 8. The Buccaneers will play the Saints in New Orleans on November 15.