Buccaneers Break NFL Mold as Sole Team Outgaining Passing Yards on the Ground

At the midpoint of the 2026 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers present a statistical anomaly: they are the league’s only team with more rushing yards than passing yards.

Through nine games, Tampa Bay has amassed 1,475 rushing yards against 1,277 passing yards. Every other NFL team has thrown for more yardage than it has run, and none approach the Buccaneers’ ground-first imbalance.

The most recent NFL team to end a season with more rushing than passing yardage was the 2022 Chicago Bears, who recorded 3,014 rushing yards and 2,219 passing yards. Led by Justin Fields—who personally rushed for 1,143 yards while throwing for just 1,883—the Bears supplemented their attack with David Montgomery’s 801 rushing yards and Khalil Herbert’s 731. Chicago could run effectively but struggled to move the ball through the air.

Tampa Bay’s unusual split stems from several unique factors. Baker Mayfield has endured some of his poorest on-field performances while healthy and missed three games due to injury, opening the door for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. As a result, the Buccaneers have leaned heavily on their running game. Weather also played a decisive role in Week 8, when a downpour against the Falcons helped Tampa Bay rack up 322 rushing yards while producing minus-2 passing yards.

Despite a one-dimensional offense, the Buccaneers remain in the playoff hunt, largely because the NFC South ranks as the league’s weakest division. A postseason game in Tampa this January is a distinct possibility—and if it materializes, Buccaneers fans may find themselves hoping for another deluge.

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