Heading into Sunday’s game between the Bucs and Falcons at Raymond James Stadium, plenty of intrigue surrounded the result, whatever it might be.

A win, and suddenly a 3-5 Bucs team would have life in the NFC South. A loss, and a 2-6 Tampa Bay squad would likely enter selling mode before the NFL trade deadline. Well, Tampa Bay is staying alive after shutting down Atlanta, 16-0.

Here is what was most impressive about the team’s performance in a game which looked eerily similar to the team’s other two victories this season.

RB Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay’s No. 7 clearly outplayed Atlanta’s No. 7.

In the first half alone, Irving had 19 carries for 107 yards, and he finished the game with 27 carries for 170 yards. It was a career day for the 2024 fourth-round pick, as he wasn’t just the main source of offense.

He was the offense.

Things ran through the third-year running back, as Zac Robinson continues to prioritize putting the ball in his hands. Few units around the league have had as much success running the football as the Bucs have, especially as of late.

HC Todd Bowles

Todd Bowles on the most impressive list?!

Yes, it was a weird day in Tampa Bay, but the Bucs head coach does deserve credit. Heading into Sunday’s game, the conversation centered around how the unit would stop the Falcons’ trio of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and especially Kyle Pitts.

Like Dutch Van Der Linde in Red Dead Redemption 2, Todd Bowles had a plan.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

It was executed flawlessly.

Robinson ripped off a 26-yard run at one point, but it was a rather subpar day for Atlanta’s running back considering his talent. London was a non-factor in the passing game, as was Pitts. Everything seemed to work from a schematic standpoint, whether it was the run defense holding up, the pass rush getting home and forcing Michael Penix Jr. to make mistakes, or the unit getting key situational stops.

The Falcons were 0-for-6 on third downs in the first half and finished the game 0-for-12 on the money down. Praise has been hard to come by for Bowles, but no one can argue that the defense isn’t playing lights out.

ILB Alex Anzalone

Alex Anzalone’s play has stabilized to an extent since his disappointing start to the season. On the second defensive drive of the game for the Bucs, Anzalone benefitted from a poor throw by Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and snagged it for his second interception of the season.

It appeared to be a solid start to his day at the office — until he recorded another interception later in the first quarter.

Who would’ve thought that halfway through the year, it would be Anzalone leading the team in interceptions?!

He was in the right place at the right time across the middle of the field, and this is the first time since Lavonte David in 2015 that a Tampa Bay inside linebacker has recorded three interceptions in a season.

CB Zyon McCollum

Zyon McCollum joined in on the fun of catching passes from Michael Penix Jr. McCollum had the Bucs’ defense’s fourth interception of the game in the fourth quarter after reading the ball mid-air and making a play on it. He is not being talked about enough for playing at an All-Pro level in 2026.

CB Jacob Parrish

Jacob Parrish nearly came away with an interception in the first quarter, but he made sure to get his in the second quarter. Michael Penix Jr. seemingly enjoyed putting the ball in harm’s way and going for it on fourth-and-6, he had to get the ball off and connected with Parrish. The second-year cornerback has stepped up in a big way this season, with his takeaway being the latest reminder.

K Chase McLaughlin

At this point, putting Chase McLaughlin on this list is automatic — just like how he is automatic on his field goal attempts.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

McLaughlin remains perfect this season, connecting on his three attempts this afternoon and all 19 of his attempts this season. Kickers are not talked about much, but “Money McLaughlin” deserves his flowers as one of the best at his position. It doesn’t matter the distance or the conditions. Put obstacles in his way, and he knocks them down like he knocks the ball between the uprights.

Jason Licht, please extend No. 4.

Bucs Pass Rush

While they did not record a sack, the Bucs pass rush made Michael Penix Jr. uncomfortable and forced him into making bad decisions with the football. Candidly, Penix could not have played a worse game, and Tampa Bay’s front seven quickly invaded the backfield and expedited his time to go through his reads. Rueben Bain Jr. applied a heavy dose of pressure on several of Penix’s drop backs, and he was the one I noticed the most.

Bucs Offensive Line

The Bucs’ offensive line has rounded into form after a slow start and welcomed back right tackle Luke Goedeke on Sunday. The entire group opened holes for Bucky Irving throughout the game. Goedeke and Graham Barton had great blocks to spring Irving for a 24-yard run on his first carry, and they continued to pave lanes and dictate terms at the line of scrimmage. There wasn’t a weak link in the trenches.

Bucs offensive line – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Want to hear something absolutely absurd? Tampa Bay had a franchise-record 324 rushing yards.

324!

Against the league’s fourth-best run defense coming in, no less. Maybe the Bucs really can rush for 200 yards a game behind this offensive line.

RB Kenny Gainwell

Perhaps the Bucs signing Kenny Gainwell wasn’t such a bad move after all.

Following a 14-carry, 88-yard game against the Panthers, Gainwell made the most of his touches against the Falcons. His biggest run of the day went for 28 yards after he made every Atlanta defender miss as he cut down the right side of the field. Also, if you want to look at a great block, check out Bauer Sharp on that run (he had several key blocks).

Gainwell received a steady share of touches with 25 carries for 140 yards. He is looking more like the playmaker Tampa Bay envisioned adding.

P Riley Dixon

It didn’t look like Riley Dixon would make this list until he started to put together some quality punts later in the game. Dixon pinned the Falcons’ offense deep in their own territory, with four of his six punts landing inside Atlanta’s 20-yard line. He averaged 44.8 yards per punt in what was his best effort this season.