When Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield made his return from a three-game absence in Week 7, the big question was how his dislocated right thumb would hold up over the course of a 60-minute game. Well, Weeks 7 and 8 are now in the books, and we still don’t know the answer to that question.

Mayfield has only had to throw the ball 14 times since returning from injury. Sunday, in a 16-0 shutout win over the Falcons, Mayfield attempted just three passes and completed zero. The Bucs became the first team since the Bills on Sept. 29, 1974, to win a game without completing a pass, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

How was this possible, you ask? Look no further than Tampa Bay’s suddenly elite running game, which tallied 324 yards against Atlanta, shattering a franchise record for most rushing yards in a single game.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Running back Bucky Irving was most responsible, rushing for 170 yards on 27 carries, to go along with a four-yard score in the third quarter. That represents a single-game career-high for Irving, who rushed for a then career-high 165 yards in the Week 5 win over the Cowboys.

And while his play won’t capture the same headlines as Irving’s, Kenny Gainwell had a star showing as well. Gainwell, who had a sluggish start to his Bucs tenure, rushed for 140 yards on 25 carries in Sunday’s win. Like Irving, he set a personal best for rushing yards in a single game.

“I’m a big believer in just knowing your brother is going to come in and have a day,” Irving said of Gainwell’s performance after the game. “I’m a guy where I want everybody to have success. I’m not a selfish guy, I’m not a me guy; I just want to win football games. Like I said, all them backs in that room, man, we go to war every day. We practice like it’s the game.

“I tell them guys, ‘You gotta treat practice like it’s the game because you’re gonna get the same looks.’ So, just being able to come out every day and practice — it starts in practice and we had a great week in practice. Like I tell them guys, 24-hour rule: move on and get ready for the Chicago Bears (next Sunday).”

The Bucs Finally Have A Clear Identity On Offense

The Bucs, for the second consecutive week, imposed their will up front. Last week, in a dominant 43-13 win over the Panthers, they rushed for 258 yards on 49 attempts. They bullied Carolina, and playing in a monsoon for much of the afternoon at Raymond James Stadium Sunday afternoon, they did so again against the Falcons.

You could argue this was even more impressive as the Bucs had zero passing game to offer. The Falcons knew exactly what the Bucs were going to do every play, and it didn’t matter. Tampa Bay took their souls and the offensive line, along with the tight ends and wide receivers, did their part to help aid Irving and Gainwell to career days in their respective NFL careers.

In particular, you have to shout out the efforts of tight end Bauer Sharp. The rookie sixth-round pick continues to see more playing time, and he’s making the most of it. In Sunday’s game, he took Falcons defenders for a ride on multiple occasions and showcased his physicality in the run game. Look no further than this fourth quarter run by Gainwell.

Of course, it’s unrealistic to expect the Bucs to be able to do this week in and week out. At some point, they have to find some form of a passing attack under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. But you have to give Robinson credit for finding an identity in recent weeks and the players for executing the game plan at an elite level.

“They’ve done a great job pounding the rock, especially the last two weeks,” head coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday’s game. “They’ve been getting yeoman’s work carries and the offensive line has done an outstanding job. Of course, that includes the receivers and tight ends.

“We knew what kind of game it was going to be. Last week, it just turned into that. This week, with the weather, you knew both sides were going to pound the ball and kind of see who made mistakes that way. We won the turnover battle, so that was important.”