Atlanta leaves without a point
The Falcons lost 16-0 to the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Week 8, failing to build on their 29-20 victory over San Francisco. Both Atlanta and Tampa Bay now stand at 3-5. Tampa Bay scored six points in the first quarter, stretched its advantage to 9-0 by halftime and added seven points in the third. Atlanta never answered, and neither team scored in the fourth quarter. The Falcons have lost two of their past three games. The Buccaneers have won two straight.
Tampa Bay controls the ground game
Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell combined for 310 rushing yards on 52 carries, giving Tampa Bay substantial production from both backs. Irving finished with 170 yards and a rushing touchdown on 27 attempts. Gainwell added 140 yards on 25 carries. The Buccaneers also intercepted four passes and allowed 224 total yards. That defensive performance left Atlanta with no scoring margin against Tampa Bay’s rushing output. Bijan Robinson carried 19 times for 76 yards. Jahan Dotson supplied 95 receiving yards on two catches from five targets, but those gains did not translate into points. Kyle Pitts Sr. caught two of five targets for six yards.
Fantasy returns favor the Buccaneers
Irving led the game’s PPR production with 21.0 points, followed by Tampa Bay’s defense at 15.0 and Gainwell at 14.0. Chase McLaughlin contributed 12.0. Dotson’s 11.5 PPR points led Atlanta’s listed performers despite his two-catch total. Robinson finished with 7.6, while Pitts returned 2.6. For Falcons fantasy managers, the shutout left yardage and receptions to carry the production.
Week 9 schedule
Atlanta hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 9:30 a.m. ET. Tampa Bay visits the Chicago Bears that night at 8:20 p.m. ET.