No Completed Passes

We watch the NFL every week, and it’s thrilling to see the way quarterbacks throw the ball all over the field. Yet, for the first time since I’ve been watching football, an NFL team won a game without completing a single pass!

Although it's hard to comprehend, the Tampa Bay Bucs beat the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 yesterday without one pass being caught. The last time this happened was in 1974 when the Bills won 16-12 over the New York Jets.

Tampa Bay’s weather was a major issue, with rain creating a sloppy field and conditions that didn't suit effective passing. The Bucs and Falcons had to decide how to handle it, and the Bucs determined that passing wasn’t advantageous. 

Quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted only three passes, and the team relied heavily on the run game. The team rushed for 324 total yards, with Bucky Irving leading the way with 170 yards (27 carries) and a touchdown, and Kenny Gainwell carrying the ball 25 times for 140 yards.

According to ESPN, “There had never been a game in NFL history where two teammates both had at least 25 rushing attempts and 125 rushing yards.”

This unique game and approach came after last week’s Bucs win over the Panthers, where Mayfield completed only 7 passes for 64 yards. He didn’t need to throw much, as the Bucs dominated 43-13.

Meanwhile, the Falcons still thought they should throw the ball in the rain yesterday, but it proved fruitless: quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw 24 times, throwing four interceptions and completing only eight passes for 125 yards.

In every game, coaches and players have the freedom to throw downfield on every play, run the ball on every down, or run a balanced passing-and-running attack. Each game and situation affects whether throwing or running is best, and each team has to choose wisely. Clearly, the Bucs made the right call yesterday.

Admittedly, the Bucs could have passed, but it wouldn’t have helped the team, and it would have kept the ball from advancing down the field.

Mayfield likes to throw the ball, but he knew that wasn’t best for his team, so even though it wasn’t as good for his personal stats, he embraced that not passing it was more beneficial given the circumstances.

He saw the bigger picture and told Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press after the game, "I'll do whatever it takes to win. That's all that matters to me." 

Today, we have an important parallel to unpack as followers of Jesus. The more we know Him and study the Word of God, the more we understand His clear commands, and we desire to obey them. We also know we are saved by grace through faith and rely on Christ’s righteousness.

Often, as we pursue holy living, we face a choice about whether to participate in activities that aren't necessarily blatantly sinful. When considering these decisions, we must evaluate whether participating is truly beneficial.

As followers of Jesus, we must embrace the freedom we have in Christ, but we must also realize our decisions matter, and sometimes we need to choose not to throw the ball. We need to ask whether it “helps the team” win and builds up others, and whether it, in any way, inhibits the gospel from “advancing down the field.” 

Paul explains in Galatians 5:13-14 (AMP), "For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.

“For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].'”

In our lives, we could certainly “throw the ball,” but is it advantageous given the circumstances? Would we be setting ourselves up for “interceptions”? We want to become more like Jesus, build others up, not get in the way of others’ growth, and be wise about participating in certain activities.

Paul also writes about this concept and challenges the Corinthians who said they had the right to do anything or that all things were lawful for them.

In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV), Paul says,“'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others."

The Amplified translation of the same verses puts it this way: “All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. Let no one seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person.”

In 1 Corinthians 6:12 (AMP), Paul writes, "Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me]."

I still can’t believe an NFL team won without completing a pass, but Baker Mayfield proved he was willing not to throw the ball because, as he declared, "I'll do whatever it takes to win. That's all that matters to me."

Today, let’s remember that sometimes we don’t need to “throw the ball,” or God will ask us not to engage in certain activities because they're not advantageous, beneficial, or helpful to what matters most. So are we willing to wisely (not) do whatever it takes to “win” as we love others well and point them to Jesus?

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful for the freedom I have in Christ, and I know I’m no longer under the law, but under grace. I know I can participate in certain activities and not sin against You, but please help me know when it’s not wise or beneficial. I don’t want to be enslaved by anything or allow anything to negatively affect my fellowship with You or my witness for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.