Falons lose 16-0 to Bucs as Penix throws four picks

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions in a 16-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The defeat cost Atlanta a chance to take first place in the NFC South division. The final score reflects a complete offensive breakdown for the visiting team.

The Buccaneers won the game without completing a single pass. They are the first NFL team since 1974 to achieve this feat. Tampa Bay ran for a team-record 324 yards to secure the victory. The Bucs now sit with a 3-5 record, while the Falcons also drop to 3-5.

Heavy rain played a role in the performance, but the Falcons declined to blame the weather. Penix completed 8 of 24 passes for 125 yards. He said he had to protect the ball to win these games. He noted that having family in the stands made the performance feel worse.

Tampa Bay linebacker Alex Anzalone intercepted two of Penix's first six passes. Cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum recorded the other two picks. The final turnover ended a second-half drive in Tampa Bay territory when Atlanta still had a chance to score.

Most of Atlanta's passing yardage came from one play in the fourth quarter. Jahan Dotson caught a pass and ran it to the Buccaneers' 22-yard line. Drake London caught the next pass, but the drive stalled. Penix threw three incompletions from the 14-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs.

A week earlier, Penix threw three touchdowns without an interception against San Francisco. He has started three games this season and is 3-3. Before Sunday, he had thrown nine touchdown passes and just one interception. He vowed to put his head down and keep working.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he had no major concerns about Penix moving forward. He acknowledged the team could do a better job but did not use the weather as an excuse. The Falcons will travel to Cincinnati to play in Madrid next Sunday.