Zero Completions and a 52-Year NFL Oddity
Week 8 of the NFL season brought a victory unlike any seen in more than half a century, alongside the fall of the league’s last undefeated team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 on Sunday without completing a single pass all afternoon. Quarterback Baker Mayfield finished the game with zero completions on three attempts, marking the first time a team has won a game without a completed pass since September 29, 1974, when the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets 16-12.
The statistical anomaly has occurred only four times since 1950. Previous instances include the Cleveland Browns against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950, Washington against the New York Giants in 1960, and the Bills-Jets matchup in 1974. Tampa Bay managed the feat largely because the defense capitalized on four interceptions thrown by Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
The End of the Unbeaten Run in Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings’ perfect start to the season came to an end in Week 8, leaving the NFL without an undefeated team. The Detroit Lions handed the Vikings a 19-15 defeat, though the victory was tempered by a serious injury to linebacker Jack Campbell, who was forced to leave the field and was transported to a hospital.
Running back Gibbs provided the decisive score for Detroit with a touchdown. Minnesota struggled to establish any rhythm on the ground, finishing with just 81 rushing yards.
Pittsburgh Sets a Dominant Franchise Mark
The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled to a 27-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns to take the lead of the AFC North at 6-2, capturing their 23rd home victory against their rivals. Jaylen Warren (28) rushed for a career-high 143 yards and a touchdown as part of a 200-yard rushing performance by the Steelers.
Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 324 yards, but the Browns offense was overwhelmed by an aggressive Pittsburgh pass rush that sacked him eight times. The win ties the NFL record for the most consecutive regular-season home victories against a single opponent.
Overtime Thrillers and Backup Quarterback Struggles
Elsewhere across the league, Week 8 delivered high drama and severe personnel challenges. The Baltimore Ravens lost starting quarterback Lamar Jackson on the first play of the game against the Buffalo Bills, followed by an injury to backup Snoop Huntley. Third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano was thrust into duty, but the Ravens ultimately fell 36-10 to the Bills.
In Cincinnati, Joe Burrow put on an offensive showcase, throwing for 462 yards and five touchdowns while adding a nine-yard rushing touchdown in overtime to lift the Bengals over the Tennessee Titans 43-36. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals edged the Dallas Cowboys 33-30 in overtime after kicker Chad Ryland atoned for a missed extra point at the end of regulation by nailing a 42-yard game-winning field goal, maintaining Arizona’s record at AT&T Stadium at 5-0.
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