Electrocuted - Bucs Playoff Hopes on Life Support

By JC De La Torre

There are losses and then there is the excrement the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put on the football field Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. In control of their own playoff destiny (sorry, Bob Costas), all the Buccaneers had to do was win their next two games against sub .500 teams at home (where they were undefeated) and they could make reservations for the playoffs. Instead, the Buccaneers continued their downward spiral, getting blown out by the Chargers 41-24.

The formerly formidable Bucs defense continued is horrid play, getting torn apart by San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers for 287 yds and 4 touchdowns. Since word came that Monte Kiffin was leaving Tampa Bay for the University of Tennessee, the Buccaneers are 0-3 and the defense has given up 30.7 points per game, 402.3 yds per game, and 188 yds rushing per game. However, on this day, it wouldn't be LaDanian Tomlinson and the Charger running game that would do the Bucs in, San Diego was held to 90 yds rushing. It would be the passing game that would do the damage in this one as Rivers carved up the Bucs defense, extending drives on 3rd down by converting 53% of their 11 opportunities.

After the initial drive of the game by the Chargers was stuffed, Tampa Bay drove to the San Diego 42 yd line. Quarterback Jeff Garcia connected on a screen to Wide Receiver Antonio Bryant, who appeared to have blocking and a developing lane in front of him. Bryant was hit from behind by Chargers defensive lineman Luis Castillo, fumbled and San Diego safety Clinton Hart pounced on the ball to end the Bucs threat. The Chargers took the ball at their own 41 and drove 58 yds in 8 plays, culminating in a 11 yd touchdown pass to Brandon Manumaleuna in the the flat for a touchdown to give San Diego an early 7-0 lead.

Bucs kick returner Clifton Smith showed why he's headed to Hawaii, returning the ensuing kickoff 72 yds to the Chargers 11 yd line, setting up B.J. Askew 1 Yd hurdle to tie it at 7. Back came the Chargers, driving back down the field as the 1st quarter bled into the 2nd and finishing up with a 69 yd, 7 play drive where Rivers found Tight End Antonio Gates wide open for an easy touchdown, giving the Chargers the lead back with 13:37 left in the 1st half.

After the Bucs offense stalled, San Diego marched right back down the football field, converting two 3rd and long situations along the way before setting for a 28 yd Nate Kaeding field goal with 5:24 left in the second to give the Chargers a 17-7 lead. After the teams exchanged 3 and outs, the Bucs offense showed a little life after the two minute warning, driving 49 yds in 8 plays to set up a 49 yd Matt Bryant field goal with 0:17 left in the half to cut the advantage to 17-10. After the ensuing kickoff, Phillip Rivers connected with an inexplicably wide open Vincent Jackson for 25 yds to the Tampa Bay 39, from there Nate Kaeding drilled a 57 yd field goal to reestablish the Chargers 10 point lead going into the locker room, 20-10.

After the Bucs received the 2nd half kickoff, Jeff Garcia drove Tampa Bay 78 yds, converting three 3rd downs on the drive with both his arm and his feet and using those feet to scamper into the endzone to cut the Charger lead to 20-17. The Bucs defense forced a 3 and out and the Bucs got the ball back at their own 18. A run by Warrick Dunn and a pass to Dunn achieved a first down at the 29. On 1st and 10, Garcia took the snap, scambled keeping the play alive then spotted a wide open Antonio Bryant deep down field, Garcia heaved the ball while Bryant waited what seemed an eternity and fielded the catch like a punt, Bryant hauled it in a raced 71 yds for the touchdown giving the Buccaneers their first lead of the game, 24-20 with 5:19 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Chargers would take over the game from there. Phillip Rivers engineered an 11 play, 63 yd drive that extinguised the remainder of the 3rd quarter. On the first play of the 4th quarter and facing 3rd and goal from the Tampa Bay 5, Rivers scrambled, avoiding the rush and keeping the play alive long enough to find Antonio Gates in the back of the end zone for his second touchdown of the day, the Chargers retook the lead 27-24.

After the teams exchanged 3 and outs, the Bucs again had their drive stall. Punter Josh Bidwell blasted a 58 yd bomb to the San Diego 11, but returner Darren Sproles returned the punt 43 yds to the Buccaneer 46, nearly breaking it for the score. Sproles would get his score as 4 plays later, Rivers dropped a screen pass to Sproles who bolted 32 yds for a killer touchdown to give San Diego a commanding 34-24 lead with 7:18 left.

The Bucs tried to rally one last time, Garcia passing and scrambling the to San Diego 48, in the process getting a severe gash over his nose that gushed blood. Facing 3rd and 4, Garcia tried to fit in a pass to Ike Hillard between two defenders, the pass was deflected and intercepted by Antoine Cason, who raced down the sideline 59 yds for the touchdown to provide San Diego their final margin of victory.

Luke McCown came in for mop up duty but accomplished little and the Chargers ran out the clock, keeping their playoff hopes alive and severely damaging the Buccaneers in the process.

Tampa Bay now needs help to make the post season and face a resurgent Oakland Raiders team that has put 26 or more points on their last two opponents. A team that just three weeks ago was 9-3 and hoping to win a first round bye now faces the reality that they will be home for the post-season. A loss to Oakland and the Bucs promising season comes to a crashing close.

Falcons Outlast Bucs in Overtime

By JC De La Torre

As gut-wrenching defeats go, this one stings a bit. With the Buccaneers playing their second road division game in a week and playing without two of two defensive linemen and their starting quarterback, Tampa Bay battled the high flying Falcons to a stalemate during regulation, but fell in overtime 13-10. The loss significantly damages the Buccaneers playoff chance and forces Tampa Bay into must win situations for the final two games of the season.

The full enormity likely won't be known until later tonight when Carolina-Denver, Dallas-New York, and Cleveland-Philadelphia are completed, but the defeat definitely puts the Bucs in deep trouble. With the heart of the Buccaneers defensive line, Chris Hovan, out of the lineup, the Falcons took advantage, pounding Michael Turner between the tackles to the tune of 152 yds on 33 carries.

The Falcons would jump on Tampa Bay quickly, as special teams penalty put the Buccaneer offense and backup QB Brian Griese deep in their own territory. The Bucs offensive line would commit a penalty pushing them back further and after punting, the Falcons took over at the Tampa Bay 33. The Bucs defense stood strong, allowing the Falcons to only drive it 26 yds and settle for a 26 yd Jason Elam field goal to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead with 6:53 left in the first.

After the ensuing Bucs drive stalled, Atlanta would drive 72 yds in 9 plays, highlighted by a 30 yd reception by Roddy White to set up Michael Turner's 2 yd touchdown, Atlanta held a 10-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.

Midway through the second quarter, the Bucs defense thwarted an attempt by the Falcons to extend the lead as rookie Aquib Talib intercepted Atlanta Quarterback Matt Ryan in the end zone. Later with 1:23 left in the first half, the Bucs would get to the rookie again, this time the ageless one, Ronde Barber would victimize the rookie, picking him off at the Tampa Bay 35 yd line. The Bucs comatose offense would finally come to life, with Griese moving the Bucs 67 yds in 10 plays culminating with another touchdown grab from Antonio Bryant, who finished the day with 8 catches for 108 yds, going over 1,000 yds for only the 2nd time in his career and earning a career high in receptions. The Bucs trailed 10-7 at the half.

The Bucs opened the 3rd quarter with a 3-and-out, and Atlanta moved down the football down to the Tampa Bay 33. After scrambling away from the Tampa Bay rush, Matt Ryan found little used tigh end Jeff Rader for a touchdown and a commanding 16-7 lead...or did they? Jon Gruden challenged and it was ruled that Bucs Safety Jermaine Phillips forced Rader to fumble to football at the one and it was clearly recovered in the end zone by Phillip Buchanon, Atlanta was denied points and the football.

The Bucs offense would fail to capitalize, as Brian Griese inexplicably threw into triple coverage and was intercepted by Falcons corner Dominique Foxworth. The teams would exchange punts the remainder of the third quarter and moving into the 4th quarter until finally, Tampa Bay mounted another drive. The Bucs drove all the way to the Atlanta 30 yd line, where Jeff Faine would get called for an illegal snap and the Bucs would be penalized 5 yds, Griese's 3rd down pass would fall incomplete and Tampa Bay would have to settle for a 53 yd field goal attempt by Matt Bryant. Bryant's kick had the power but lacked the accuracy, as he pulled it to the left.

Atlanta failed to take advantage of the field position, going three-and-out, and then punter Michael Koenen's punt was blocked by Bucs special teamer Brian Clark, the block was fielded by reserve safety Sabby Piscitelli, who returned it 18yds to the Atlanta 22. Griese hit Michael Clayton at the Atlanta 11 while the two-minute warning expired, then Cadillac Williams 3 yd carry put the Bucs at point blank range at the 9. Then the Bucs offense, which we all know is red zone challeged, hit reverse. First, Griese held the ball to long and was sacked for an 11 yd loss, then Aaron Sears was called for holding, backing the Bucs back to the 30. Jon Gruden called a draw play on 3rd and 28 and Warrick Dunn scampered for 10 yds to the 20. Matt Bryant flirted with the right upright but tucked it in with 0:34 left in regulation to tie the game at 10.

The Bucs won the toss in overtime, but another special teams miscue on the kickoff pinned the Bucs at their own 7. Tampa Bay moved it out to their own 37 but Griese again held the ball to long on third down and was sacked for a 13 yd loss. Punter Josh Bidwell blasted a nice of 47 yds with no return, putting the Falcons at their own 29, but the Falcons would take advantage of the winded Bucs defense, driving it 55 yds in 11 plays, to set up veteran kicker Jason Elam's 34 yd game winner. The Falcons overcame a fumble by Matt Ryan that was recovered by a Falcons offensive lineman. Elam lined up and tucked it in the left upright - ballgame, Atlanta wins and the Bucs lose two straight for the first time this season.

The Falcons and Bucs are now tied with 9-5 records in the NFC South and the Bucs are now in a dogfight for one of the NFC's two wild card spots. The good news for the Bucs, is they have San Diego and Oakland at home to wrap up the season where they are undefeated, in Raymond James Stadium. One last note, Warrick Dunn became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yds and have 500 receptions in his career.

MNF Madness - Bucs @ Panthers Preview

By JC De La Torre

3 months and 13 weeks of football - 12 games have led to this moment. While the so-called experts fawned over the likes of the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints - these two teams just went about their business. Both boasted stingy defenses, both had offenses that did just enough to win - and really, isn't that what its all about? Winning? The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been joined in their anonymity. Neither boasts many stars, although there are names that are known - Julius Peppers, Steve Smith, Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber among them.

Neither has had features on them on ESPN, the network broadcasting Monday Night's titanic battle that may go a long way in deciding the NFC South title. Neither have been the Fox National game or been on NFL Network's game of the week. Tampa Bay has had one Sunday Night NBC game, but shared the spotlight in their own town with the Tampa Bay Rays, who were playing Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at the exact same time. Both teams have been described as boring. Yet when the Buccaneers and Panthers take the field Monday night, the team's will walk in tied for the 2nd best record in the NFC and 3rd best record in the entire NFL. Once 60 minutes (or more) of hard fought football is completed, one of these teams will be in the drivers seat - but who will it be? One thing is certain, we should have one heck of a show for the national audience.

Let's look at the match ups of these two unappreciated power teams in the NFC -

Carolina's Offense vs. Tampa Bay's defense
The advantage in this match up is clearly the Buccaneers defense. Tampa Bay comes into this ballgame ranked 4th in the NFL in total defense, 3rd against the pass, 9th against the run, 4th in scoring, they're tied for third in the NFL in interceptions (17) and defensive scores (3). Carolina comes in with the 17th ranked total offense in the NFL, 7th rushing, but 22nd passing, and 14th in scoring. The strength of the Panthers offensive attack is their powerful running game, led by shifty DeAngelo Williams and powerful rookie James Stewart. Williams is coming off a 4 touchdown performance against the Green Bay Packers. The Panthers passing game is struggling this year, but with a big time threat like Steve Smith, you can never be relaxed. The Buccaneers defense, led by the immortal Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber, along with young budding stars Barrett Ruud, Tanard Jackson and Gaines Adams have allowed only one 100 yd rusher this season (Jamaal Charles, Kansas City), and only one rushing touchdown. The secondary, bolstered by Jermaine Phillips return and the solid play of Phillip Buchannon and rookie Aquib Talib, has shown big play capability.

Tampa Bay's Offense vs. Carolina's Defense
Like Carolina, the Buccaneers offense is a middle of the road work in progress. Tampa Bay ranks 14th in total offense, 11th rushing, 12th passing, and 17th in scoring. They'll face a Panthers defense ranked 11th in total defense, struggling a bit against the run at 18th, while ranking 12th against the pass and 7th in scoring defense. The Buccaneers offense took a significant blow when leading rusher Earnest Graham went down with an ankle injury that ended his season. Coincidentally, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams has returned the Buccaneers lineup to bolster the running attack that now has fallen on the diminutive shoulders of veteran Warrick Dunn. The jitterbugging QB Jeff Garcia's mobility is both a blessing and a curse for the Bucs offense, with Garcia, the play is never dead but at the same time, Garcia will miss a lot of opportunities down field as he jumps and scatters around. Antonio Bryant has buoyed the passing game while Michael Clayton has played better and vet Ike Hilliard still proves to be dependable. Tight ends Alex Smith, Jerramy Stevens, and John Gilmore have made impacts in both the passing and running game. The greatest improvement in the Buccaneers offense is without question their offensive line. Led by center Jeff Faine, the Bucs boast an athletic, powerful line that can get to the second level and make plays. The two big issues for the Bucs offense has been red zone efficiency, the Bucs are second to last in the league in TDs scored in the red zone, as well as turnovers (Tampa Bay is ranked 19th with 21 turnovers).

The Panthers defense has been kind of bend-but-don't-break style that gives up a lot of yards but not a lot of points, they rank 7th in red zone defense. Julius Peppers continues to terrorize quarterbacks, while linebacker Jon Beason and corner Chris Gamble lead the second and third levels. The defense started the season off strong but has struggled of late, giving up 98 points in their last three games.

Carolina Special Teams vs Tampa Bay Special Teams
The Bucs have had a resurgence in their special teams thanks to the emergence of young return Clifton Smith. Thanks to Smith, Tampa Bay is ranked 2nd in the NFL in kick returns and 15th in punt returns (after being dead last in the NFL before Smith was called up from the practice squad). Smith is ranked #1 in kickoff return average (29.5) and is 2nd in the NFL in punt return average (17.6) and he became the first Buccaneer to have a kickoff return and punt return for touchdown in the same season. Tampa Bay also has the dependable Matt Bryant kicking and Punter Josh Bidwell, who continues to change field position and pin opponents in holes. Tampa Bay boasts some of the best coverage units in the NFL as well, ranking 5th in kickoff coverage and 11th in punt coverage.

Carolina is no slouch on special teams either. The Panthers are 9th in kickoff returns and 8th in punt return average as former Buccaneer Mark Jones does the returning for Carolina. Like the Bucs, the Panthers are very strong in coverage as well, ranking 8th in kickoff coverage and are 6th in the NFL in punt return coverage. The Panthers are in good hands in the kicking game with veteran John Kasay hitting 95% of his field goals and punter Jason Baker boasting a solid 45.3 punting average.

Coaching
Jon Gruden won his 100th victory as a head coach in the NFL with last week's victory over New Orleans, John Fox put to rest rumors of his replacement by former Steelers coach Bill Cowher with a solid season by his football team.

Intangibles
Obviously, a raucous crowd will be a big advantage for the Panthers as they go bananas for the Monday Night Football cameras. The Panthers have a significant incentive to avenge the early season 27-3 beat down by the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has not played as well on the road as they do at Raymond James Stadium, where they are undefeated, but only .500 away from Ray Jay.

Final Prediction

After facing the dynamic New Orleans Saints passing offense, the Bucs will get a different test with a very tough Carolina running attack. The Bucs jumped on the Panthers early in their contest in Tampa, forcing Carolina to abandon the running game in an effort to catch up. As always, the Buccaneer offense must avoid the costly turnover and turn red zone opportunities into touchdowns, not field goals. If Carolina can force the Bucs offense into errors (turnovers, drive killing penalties), the Panthers can win this football game. Jeff Garcia is 9-2 lifetime against the Panthers and the Bucs have won 2 of the last three meetings overall and in Charlotte. I think the Bucs defense will stand tall, Clifton Smith will provide field position in a field position critical game, and the Bucs offense will do just enough to pull off a huge road win.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 24, Carolina 17

Bucs Drown Drew and the Saints

By JC De La Torre

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched their third winning season in the last four years and in process may have buried the pre-season favorite to win the NFC South this season, beating the New Orleans Saints in a quagmire, 23-20. Tampa Bay slogged through the victory with opportunistic defense and just a smidge of enough offense, battling the elements and a Saints team desperate to continue on the winning track. With the win, the Bucs improved to 9-3 on the season and set up a showdown with fellow 9-3 Carolina for the division lead on Monday Night Football.

Torrential rains plagued the majority of the first half, limiting the production of both offenses. On their first drive of the game, the Saints marched down to the Buccaneers 30 yd line where they faced 4th and 1. Inexplicably, Saints Coach Sean Payton tried to trick the Bucs defense, running an end around with Devery Henderson, the Bucs weren't fooled and hit Henderson for a three yard loss. On the ensuing Bucs drive, facing 3rd and 2, Bucs QB Jeff Garcia hit receiver Michael Clayton over the middle. Clayton was hit at the same time the ball got there and didn't have a chance to put it away, Saints middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma took advantage, ripping the ball from the receiver's hands and returning it 6 yds to the Tampa Bay 35 yard line. The Bucs defense held, forcing a 3 and out by the Saints and New Orleans had to settle for a 47 yd Harley field goal.

Tampa Bay would responded on the next drive as Jeff Garcia took the Bucs 57 yds on 13 plays, setting up Matt Bryant on a 38 yd field goal to tie it at 3 six seconds into the second quarter. The next five drives of the football game would end in punts. After a sinctilating punt return by Clifton Smith set the Bucs up at the New Orleans 39 with 6:31 left in the first half. The Bucs drove it down to the New Orleans 5 yd line, thanks in part to Jeff Garcia's 20 yd scramble, but the Bucs red zone woes came back to bite them, as Garcia missed on a 3rd and 3 pass to Michael Clayton forcing the Bucs to settle for 3. Bryant converted a 23 yder to give the Bucs their first lead of the game with 2:38 left in the 1st half. 2:38 was plenty of time for Drew Brees to do what he does best, throw down field. After Courtney Roby returned the kickoff to the 28, Brees hit Shockey for 14 yds, Marcus Colston for 21, then handed off to Reggie Bush, who scampered 13 yds to the Bucs 13. Brees hit Lance Moore over the middle in the End zone for a touchdown, giving the Saints a 10-6 lead at the half.

Tampa Bay came out on all cylinders in the second half. After Clifton Smith returned the opening kickoff to the 39, Warrick Dunn fired off right guard for 9 quick yards. After a couple runs, Garcia hit Antonio Bryant for 12 yds to the Saints 19, then scrambled 11 yds to the Saints 8. From there, the Bucs ran a toss to Cadillac Williams, who in pure Caddy fashion got the corner turned and powered into the End Zone for his first touchdown since September of 2007. Bucs led 13-10. Another 3-and-out pitched by the Bucs defense, Clifton Smith returned the New Orleans punt to the Saints 43. After Warrick plunged off right guard for 4 yds, Garcia rared back and fired a dying duck to Antonio Bryant who got behind the Saints secondary. Bryant adjusted, hauled it in, and waltzed into the endzone to give the Bucs their biggest lead of the game, 20-10. On the play, it appeared the Saints secondary gravitated over to Wide Receiver Joey Galloway, who was running a streak to the opposite side. The busted coverage allowed Bryant to blow past his defender and with no safety help it was easy pickens for Garcia.

The Saints offense finally came to life driving all the way to the Tampa Bay 20. Brees tried to force the ball to Shockey in the endzone but had the pass tipped away by Ronde Barber and intercepted by Cato June, ending the threat. Tampa Bay's offense began to sputter and New Orleans began another drive down the field as the quarter expired.

Brees got the Saints to the Tampa Bay 33, then fired a pass into the end zone that was picked off by the Buccaneers - unfortunately for Tampa Bay, Ronde Barber was called on a very questionable defensive holding call. Replays showed that Tight End Jeremy Shockey initiated contact, driving himself into Barber and trying to push him off, but Barber got the call. Two plays later, Brees hit running back Pierre Thomas in the flat and Thomas put together a spectacular bobbing and weaving run, making several Buccaneers miss en route to the end zone, to cut the Bucs lead to 20-17.

The Bucs offense would sputter again, going three and out but the Saints returned the favor and had to punt it back to Tampa Bay. Once again, the Bucs offense failed to generate a first down and this time it would cost them. Normally reliable punter Josh Bidwell shanked a punt 18 yds, giving the Saints the football at the Buccaneer 48 yd line. Brees would hit Jeremy Shockey over the middle to the Tampa Bay 27 yd line, before finally settling for a 43 yd Hartley field goal to tie the game at 20.

On the ensuing drive, the Bucs finally achieved a first down but the drive stalled at the Bucs 44 yd line. Bidwell made up for his pitiful previous punt by pinning the Saints in at their own 7 yd line. The wheels then fell off the Saints. After Brees hit Billy Milner over the middle for a 1st down at the 17 yd line, Brees tried to hit Marcus Colston at the 30 but Jermaine Phillips stepped infront of the pass and interecepted, returning it 13 yds to the Saints 17 with 2:33 left in the ballgame.

The Bucs offense self-destructed again - a one yd run by Dunn, an incomplete pass by Garcia that was nearly intercepted, then Garcia was sacked on third down. It pushed the Bucs back to 19, but Matt Bryant was able to angle the 37 yd field goal in as they reached the two minute warning to give the Bucs a 23-20 advantage.

After a kick return to Saints 27 and an incompletion, Brees scrambled away from pressure by Gaines Adams and fired up a prayer that would not be answered but instead picked off by Phillip Buchanon at the Saints 33 with only 1:45 left and the Saints with only one time out left. The Bucs offense would kill the remaining time and that was the ball game.

"We had our perfect chances out there and we didn't take advantage of it," Saints QB Drew Brees told the Associated Press, "It's disappointing, very disappointing. It's probably one of the more disappointing losses I have ever been a part of."

"We all knew [Brees] was going to throw the ball 45 times and when you throw the ball that much you're going to give us opportunities to make plays," Ronde Barber told the Tampa Tribune, "We relish opportunities like that."

Tampa Bay's victory did not come without a dark cloud on the horizon, as long time defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, the architect (with former head coach Tony Dungy) of the famed Tampa 2 is strongly rumored to be leaving the Bucs to take over the Defensive Coordinator duties for his son, Lane Kiffin, in Tennessee.

"It's not fair to our players," Kiffin told the Tribune when asked about Tennessee, "Tonight is not about Monte Kiffin. It's about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jon Gruden, our offense, defense and special teams and a great, great win."

Whether or not Kiffin's twelve year run ends after this season, the Buccaneers have one goal in mind, that it ends at home in February playing for the World Championship. The Bucs completed the first leg of a 3 game slate that could go a long way in giving the Bucs their best opportunity to become the first team in NFL history to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium.

Next week is probably the biggest of the 3 - as the Bucs go on the road to face the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football.

"I don't know how we can win the division last year but have to go over there for a Monday Night game," Jon Gruden told the Buccaneer Radio Network after the game, "I'm a little ticked about that and so are our players."

Tampa Bay improves to 9-3 and remains tied for first in the NFC South with Carolina. The Saints fall to 6-6 and remain in the NFC South cellar. New Orleans would likely need to win all of their remaining games and get some help to have a chance for post-season play.

Bucs Start the Big 3 Slate

By JC De La Torre

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have begun the 2008 season winning 8 of their first 11 ball games. At home they're undefeated and on the road they've won two straight. The Bucs currently sit as the #2 seed in the NFC and in position to win the NFC South title. None of that matters now. All that matters for the Buccaneers and their hopes to become the first team in NFL history to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium are the next three games beginning Sunday with the hated New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium, followed by the final two road trips of the year to Carolina and Atlanta.

Take two out of 3 games, and the Bucs are in good position to stay in the race. Win all three and the race is all but over with the Bucs on there way to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the Super Bowl year. Lose 2 out of 3 or all 3 and the Bucs are in deep trouble, not only in the division race but the playoffs overall. The easiest of the three (if there is an easiest) is this week's New Orleans game. Of course, New Orleans has won two straight and just beat the Green Bay Packers 51-29 shellacking on Monday Night Football.

So let's take a look at this match up a little more in depth -

Tampa Bay's Offense vs. New Orleans' Defense

Tampa Bay has the NFL's 12th ranked offense (13th rushing, 11th passing) and is averaging 23.4 points per game. The Saints defense is once again in the lower half of the league, ranked 22nd overall (18th against the run, 24th against the pass) and gives up an average of 25 pts a game. The Bucs will be without the services of their leading rusher Earnest Graham who is out for the season but is easing former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Carnell "Cadillac" Williams back into the rotation. The Bucs will go primarily with Warrick Dunn at running back. As for their passing offense, Jeff Garcia continues to be steady but not spectacular at QB, while receivers Antonio Bryant and Ike Hilliard and tight ends Alex Smith and Jeramy Stevens have propelled the passing attack. Missing in action is Joey Galloway, who hasn't seen significant playing time since Week 1 against the Saints.

The running attack and short passing game is going to be crucial to Tampa Bay, as will be protecting the football. Playing keep away while sustaining drives, controlling time of possession and keeping the ball out of the hands of the New Orleans offense is just as crucial as scoring points when the opportunity presents itself. This week would be a great time for head coach Jon Gruden to take the the mothballs off of Joey Galloway.

New Orleans' Offense vs. Tampa Bay's Defense

The Saints offense comes in red hot, leading the league in total offense and scoring 51 points against a decent Green Bay Packers defense. New Orleans is #3 in scoring, #1 Passing, but #27 rushing. The Saints will be getting running back\wide receiver Reggie Bush back just in time to face the Bucs #4 ranked defense. The Bucs 2nd ranked pass defense will get its stiffest test since meeting the Saints in the opener, while the 13th ranked rush defense will need to contain Bush, Pierre Thomas and their old nemesis, Deuce McCallister. The Bucs defense is 3rd in the NFL in scoring defense and looks like they'll be getting a boost with starting strong safety Jermaine Phillips returning to the lineup.

Tampa Bay's Special Teams vs. New Orleans' Special Teams

Returner Clifton Smith has breathed life into an anemic Buccaneer return game. Thanks to Smith's heroics, the Bucs rank 3rd in the NFL in kick return yardage, and have risen to 16th in punt return yardage after spending most of the season dead last. The Bucs have a kickoff return and punt return for touchdowns (both by Smith) in the same season for the first time in team history. The Saints have had their share of heroics as well, getting three punt returns for touchdowns and leading the league in punt return average. The Saints kickoff and punt return coverage are a little suspect as they rank 21st and 26th respectively. The Bucs boast solid coverage play ranking 5th on kickoff coverage and are 17th in punt coverage. Bucs Punter Josh Bidwell ranks 10th in the NFL in punt average, while the Saints Ben Graham ranks 23rd. The Saints are on their third kicker this season, Garrett Hartley, who has made all six field goal tries since coming aboard, including a 44 yder. The Bucs Matt Bryant has been solid for Tampa Bay, making 86% of his field goals with a long of 49.

Coaching

Jon Gruden is the winningest coach in Buccaneer history and has the Bucs in contention for their 4th division championship in the 7 years of the NFC South. Sean Payton is one of the most innovative offensive head coaches in the NFL and his passing attack is feared through out the league.

Intangibles

The Bucs have won 4 of the last 7 meetings with the Saints and 2 of the last 3 in Tampa. Brees has had trouble finding his rhythm on the road as he has thrown five touchdown passes and seven interceptions in five road games compared to 17 TD passes and four picks in five home games. The Saints have also struggled on the road, as they opened the season with four straight road losses before a 30-20 win at Kansas City on Nov. 16. The New Orleans defense gives up an average of 29.7 points on the road. The Bucs are 5-0 at home this season, winning by an average of 13 points. New Orleans won the last meeting in Week 1 24-20, holding off a last minute drive by Jeff Garcia and the Buccaneers with a late interception.

Final Prediction

Its an irresistible force meeting the immovable object. Frankly, the Saints offense vs. the Bucs defense isn't what will decide this ballgame - the two will battle to a stalemate. I think what will be the difference is whether or not the Bucs offense can score on a Saints defense that gives up an average of 29 points a game on the road, whether they can control the ball, thus the clock limiting the cracks Drew Brees has at the Bucs secondary. The Bucs offense must also avoid the costly turnover and short field for the Saints. Don't help them. A few nice returns by Clifton Smith certainly wouldn't hurt things. The Bucs have it all ahead of them starting this week. I think they get the job done against a tough New Orleans team coming off an emotional win on national television.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 27, New Orleans 20.

Red Zone, Schmed Zone - Bucs Outslug Vikes

By JC De La Torre

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued to struggle in the Red Zone, scoring only 1 touchdown in 5 trips inside the Minnesota 20. Despite their continued struggles, the Bucs outslugged the rugged Vikings 19-13 to keep pace in the NFC South and improve to 7-3. The Buccaneers defense got off to a slow start against Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson, giving up 51 yds on his first six carries - but the Bucs D shut down Peterson the remainder of the game, stopping his streak of 100 yd games as they held him to 85 yds on 19 carries.

The Bucs opened the game forcing a 3 and out by the Vikings, and then drove all the way to the Minnesota 37 yd line - but failed to convert on a 4th and 1. The Vikings would take possession and thanks to the running of Peterson, they drove 36 yds on 8 plays to set up Ryan Longwell's 43 yd FG to put Minnesota up 3-0. Tampa Bay answered right back, driving all the way to the Minnesota 17 before Jeremy Trueblood's personal foul back the Bucs up and essentially killed the drive, forcing the Bucs to settle for a 39 yd Matt Bryant field goal to tie it up at 3.

In the 2nd quarter, the Vikings answered right back, driving 76 yds in 8 plays, assisted by a roughing the passer penalty on Bucs defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson and a defensive holding penalty on defensive back Ronde Barber. The penalty set up a 4 yd touchdown pass from QB Gus Frerotte to WR Bobby Wade, giving Minnesota a 10-3 advantage.

The Bucs again would march down the field driving 64 yds in 10 plays. During the drive, the Buccaneers Quarterback Jeff Garcia took a vicious late hit by Minnesota D-lineman Ray Edwards, setting up the Bucs first and goal at the three yard line. Unfortunately, the Bucs would stall again, as Warrick Dunn would be hit in the backfield on first down losing four yards. Garcia then rolled out and just missed hitting Michael Clayton in the endzone. Jon Gruden then inexplicably called a center screen which was easily foiled by the Vikings defense, forcing the Bucs to settle for a 26 yd Field Goal by Matt Bryant. Once again the Vikings would answer, driving 51 yds in 6 plays and matching the Bucs scoring drive with a 37 yd field goal by Longwell. At the half, the Bucs trailed 13-6.


The Bucs opened the second half driving the length of the field, all the way to the 17 yard line. Warrick Dunn rushed for 10 yds to the Minnesota 7 but Tight End Jeramy Stevens was called for holding. Garcia dropped back to pass and found Antonio Bryant, who danced 27 yds for a touchdown - but Davin Jospeh got called for holding, eliminating the score and setting the Bucs up on 2nd and 30. After Minnesota was called for offside, Garcia found Tight End Jeramy Stevens 31 yds to the Viking 1 yard line. 1st and goal from the 1 yard line, Fullback BJ Askew dove into the endzone, scoring the first touchdown of his 6 yr NFL career, tying the game at 13.

Minnesota drove to the 49 yd line but failed on 4th and 1, allowing the Bucs to take over and drive all the way to the to the Viking 30 yd line.This time, they self destructed before they got to the endzone as for the third straight game, Bucs rookie running back Clifton Smith coughed up the football. After 3 quarters of play, the game remained tied at 13.

After forcing a Minnesota punt, the Bucs drove 63 yds on 13 plays, eating up 8:52 off the clock, driving all the way to the Minnesota 10 yd line. Unfortunately, on 3rd down and 1, Warrick Dunn was stopped cold, and Tampa Bay again would settle for 3 points, this time a 29 yd field goal by Matt Bryant to give the Bucs their first lead of the game at 16-13. Minnesota fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Bucs would drive 18 yds in 7 plays, but Jeff Garcia's two incomplete passes would end the drive and Tampa Bay for the fourth time settled for the field goal. Matt Bryant was true on a 26 yd field goal to put the Bucs up by six points, 19-13.

The Vikings would start from their own 20 yd line but failed to get a first down. On 4th down and 3, Frerotte's short pass intended for Sidney Rice fell short. It appeared the ball game was over. After three dive plays took it to the 2 minute warning, Matt Bryant attempted a 46 yd field goal that would just about put the game out of reach. Bryant, though hooked it slightly right and missed the field goal, giving the Vikings one last gasp. It wouldn't matter as Jimmy Wilkerson would sack Frerotte, then on the next play strip running back Chester Taylor of the football, Ronde Barber would recover and the Bucs would run out the clock for the win.

Tampa Bay outgained the Vikings 363-210, held the 5th best rushing offense to only 99 yds on the ground. The Bucs have now beaten Minnesota 4 straight times and have won eight of the last 9 meetings against the Vikings in Tampa. The victory improves the Buccaneers to 7-3, 2nd in the NFC South. Minnesota falls to 5-5, entering a 3 way tie for first in the NFC North.

Southern Comfort - A look at the NFC South Stretch Run

By JC De La Torre


Coming into 2008, the talk of the NFL was the powerful NFC East, the rugged AFC West, the talented AFC South, and tough AFC North. Meanwhile, the Bucs' NFC South division was considered one of the worst in the league. Amazing how ten weeks of football can change opinions.

As it turns out, the NFC South is the 2nd toughest division in football, second only to the NFC East.

As it stands through Week 10 of the NFL season - here's the combined records of the divisions-

W-L Division
24-12 NFC East
23-13 NFC South
22-14 AFC East
21-15 AFC South
16-20 AFC North
14-22 NFC North
12-24 NFC West
12-24 AFC West

The Buccaneers, who have been largely ignored by the mainstream media, have amassed a 6-3 record in this tough division, including a 2-1 record within the division.

Let's take a look at the remaining schedules for each of the division opponents and futurecast their final record.

Carolina leads the NFC South with a 7-2 record. The Panthers are home against Detroit (0-9), at Atlanta (6-3), at Green Bay (4-5), home against Tampa Bay (6-3), home against Denver (5-4), at the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants (8-1). and at New Orleans (4-5). The Panthers clearly have the toughest schedule out of the three top contenders for the NFC South crown. Lets give the Panthers victories over the losing teams Detroit and New Orleans, and home victories against winning teams Tampa Bay and Denver. Then will give losses to the Panthers against teams with winning records that they face on the road - Atlanta and the Giants, we'll have them drop one to Green Bay, because the Panthers, like most teams, don't fare very well at Lambeau Field (1-3 lifetime). That will drop Carolina to 11-5 (4-2 in division play).

Tampa Bay is 2nd in the division at 6-3. The Buccaneers are home against Minnesota (5-4), at Detroit (0-9), home against New Orleans (4-5), at Carolina (7-2), at Atlanta (6-3), home against San Diego (4-5), and finish home against Oakland (2-7). Lets give the Bucs victories at home against Minnesota, New Orleans, San Diego, and Oakland. We'll also give them the win on the road against Detroit. The crux of the Bucs season will be the back-to-back road games against Carolina and Atlanta. If the Bucs take one out of two, they finish 12-4 and (4-2) in division play. If they lose both, they'll fall to 11-5 (3-3 in the division). If they win both, they should (if the theory holds through) roll to 13-3 (5-1 in the division). Earlier this week, I predicited the Bucs would lose those two games and finish 11-5 - I'll stick with that for right now. So the Tampa Bay finish 11-5 (3-3 in divisional play).

Atlanta is 3rd in the NFC South at 6-3. The Falcons are home against Denver (5-4), home against Carolina (7-2), at San Diego (4-5), at New Orleans (4-5), home against Tampa Bay (6-3), at Minnesota (4-5), home against St. Louis (2-7). Let's give the Falcons home wins against Denver, Carolina, and Tampa Bay. I know that for the other two opponents, I applied victories against teams with losing records, but the Falcons suffer one disadvantage compared to the other two teams, a rookie QB. I know Matt Ryan has had a solid season for a rookie, but let's face it - on the road in November and December is not for the faint of heart. The Falcons have a cross-country trip to San Diego, who are battling for their playoff lives. That will be a tough one for Atlanta to win. They head down to New Orleans, never an easy place to play (their four wins have come at the Superdome) and go to Minnesota, who's 4-1 at home this year, while going to St. Louis to finish out the year. Let's give them a win in St. Louis, another in New Orleans, but lossess at San Diego and Minnesota. That'll put Atlanta at 11-5 (4-2 in the division).

I guess out of respect, we should do the Saints. New Orleans is 4th in the NFC South at 4-5. New Orleans goes to Kansas City (1-8), Green Bay (4-5) at home, they go to Tampa Bay (6-3), they come home to play Atlanta (6-3), they go to Chicago (5-4) and Detroit (0-9) before finishing up at home against Carolina (7-2). As a losing team, we can't give the Saints the same considerations as the winning teams in the division. So lets give New Orleans home victories over Kansas City and Green Bay. We'll give them a rare road win at Detroit, but we'll hand them losses to Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa Bay, and Carolina. This will leave New Orleans 7-9 (1-5 in division) and out of contention.

This scenario is bad news for the Bucs...By virtue of a better conference record, Atlanta would win the NFC South, the Panthers, by virtue of a better division record would finish 2nd, the Buccaneers would be 3rd.

Conceivably, 11-5 should be enough to get you into the playoffs as a wild card, but with Washington, Dallas, and Philadelphia breathing down the Bucs' neck, Tampa Bay really doesn't want to see this thing come down to tie-breakers.

Bottom line for the Bucs - win your home games, beat the teams your supposed to beat and take one out of two from the two big divisional battles and the NFC South will be yours. Fail and you'll be driving me crazy because I'll have to bring out the protractors and slide rulers to try and figure out how the heck the Bucs will make the playoffs.

Of course, as you know, nothing ever goes as it should in the NFL. That's why they play the games.

JC De La Torre is an author of Science Fiction/Fantasy and other realms of Speculative Fiction - check out his latest works at JC Delatorre.com

Bucs Rise from the Dead, Survive KC in OT

By JC De La Torre

Be it the upcoming bye week or poor preparation or just coming in flat, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into today's game against the Kansas City Chiefs not ready to play football. The spunky Chiefs, led by their little known QB Tyler Thigpen, used trickeration, opportunistic defense and a suprisingly effective running attack (despite missing star running back Larry Johnson) to pace themselves to a commanding 24-3 lead midway through the 2nd quarter. It would take the greatest comeback in Buccaneer history for Tampa Bay to escape with a wild 30-27 overtime win.

The Bucs defense turned in one of their worst performances of the season, yeilding 384 yds, 183 of it on the ground. The running game was the initial driving force for Kansas City's first touchdown, as the Chiefs drove the field on their opening possession, going 69 yds on 12 plays, bleeding 6:41 off the clock and capping the drive with a Thigpen to Dwayne Bowe 7 yd score. On the Bucs first play from scrimmage, running back Earnest Graham fumbled, KC recovered, setting up a 1 yd Kolby Smith touchdown run. The "death by a thousand paper cuts" Buccaneer offense found themselves have run 1 play and down 14-0.

The Bucs would get on the board after a 21 yd catch by WR Antonio Bryant would set up a 25 yd field goal by Matt Bryant, capping a 13 play 68 yd drive and cutting the Kansas City advantage to 14-3 with 13:08 left in the 1st half. Kansas City would then pull out a trick play from their playbook. Lined up in the "Wild Cat formation" that seems to be all the rage in the NFL, RB Jamal Charles took the snap and handed the ball off to Wide Receiver Mark Bradley on a reverse. Bucs corner Ronde Barber broke for Bradley, but forgot QB Tyler Thigpen was making his way down the field behind him...Bradley fired a pass 37 yd downfield to a quarrantined Thigpen who waltzed into the end zone to give Kansas City a shocking 21-3 lead.

The Bucs offense would try to move the ball down the field, but QB Jeff Garcia was intercepted by Kansas City CB Brandon Carr. The teams would exchange punts, then Kansas City began to "matriculate" the ball down the field. First, Thigpen would hit Bradley for a 56 yd bomb, setting up KC on the Bucs 12 yd line. An offensive holding call in the red zone would spoil the drive though, and the Chiefs would settle for three points, a Connor Barth 37 yder. Kansas City's lead was 24-3 with only 2:17 left in the first half.

Then, the game turned. Bucs kick returner Clifton Smith, called up from the practice squad two weeks ago, took the ensuing kickoff 97 yds for a touchdown (the 2nd in Buccaneers history), cutting the lead to 24-10. The Bucs defense stiffened, pitching a 4-and-out (the first play was marred by a Barrett Ruud personal foul), giving the Bucs offense the football with 1:08 left in the half. Tampa Bay would drive 55 yds in 7 plays, getting Matt Bryant to drill a 43 yd field goal as time expired in the first half, the Bucs had cut the Kansas City lead to 11 and trailed 24-13 at halftime.

Both defenses would come out firing in the 3rd quarter, as the teams exchanged punts throughout the third stanza. Into the 4th, the Bucs were driving to the Kansas City 16 yd line. QB Jeff Garcia dropped it off to Clifton Smith, who was playing for the banged up Earnest Graham, Smith made the catch, but was drilled and fumbled the football - Kansas City recovered at the 10 yd line - a crushing red zone turnover.

But the Bucs defense would finally deliver, KC running back Jamal Charles would take a pitch outside but as he was hit at the 3 yd line by Bucs safety Tanard Jackson, he lost control of the football, which Jackson fell on and the Bucs had it first and goal from the three yard line.

Bucs head coach Jon Gruden went into his own back of tricks, as QB Jeff Garcia handed off to Earnest Graham, who performed a rocker step and then tossed a 1 yd touchdown to TE Alex Smith. The Bucs would go for two to cut the lead to 3, but Garcia's pass to WR Ike Hillard fell incomplete. Kansas City 24, Tampa Bay 19.

Back came the Chiefs, who would go 71 yds in 10 plays, bleeding six minutes off the clock and capping the drive with a 28 yd Connor Barth field goal. Kansas City was back up by 8, 27-19 with only 7:41 left. During the drive, the Bucs appeared to get another crucial turnover as Corner Phillip Buchanon intercepted QB Tyler Thigpen and returned it to the Chiefs 3 yd line. Unfortunately for the Bucs, 2nd year safety Sabby Piscitelli was called on a defensive holding call, negating the pick and continuing the drive for KC.

Here came the Bucs, QB Jeff Garcia running the no-huddle and racing Tampa Bay down the football field. He connected twice to WR Ike Hillard, the first a 23 yder and the second a 12 yd that put the Bucs at point blank range at the KC 19 with 3:34 left. The Bucs pitched the ball outside to Earnest Graham, who battled and fought his way down to the KC 3 yd line, unfortunately, the effort cost the Bucs as defensive end Tamba Hali hit Graham from behind and he coughed up the football into the endzone, where it was recovered by KC for a touchback. The Bucs challenged the fumble but it was upheld. It appeared the Bucs had coughed up their last chance.

The Tampa Bay defense wouldn't allow it, with 1 time out left, the Bucs were able to keep Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles in check and then on third down, Tight End Tony Gonzalez pushed off while attempting to catch a first down pass - the penalty backed the Chiefs up 10 yds. They would hand the ball off to Charles, who would fail to reach the yard to gain, and as we reached the 2 minute warning, the Bucs offense would get one last shot.

Clifton Smith returned the punt to midfield. Garcia would open the drive with a 7 yd dump to Earnest Graham, then tried to hit Joey Galloway deep but it fell incomplete. On 3rd and 3, the Bucs ran a draw to Clifton Smith, who ran 10 yds to the Kansas City 33. Garcia spiked it with 0:51 left. Garcia hit Antonio Bryant at the Kansas City 19 yd line and Garcia would spike it again with 0:35 left. A false start on WR Ike Hillard cost the Bucs 5 yds, but more importantly, the Bucs suffered a 10 second run off, leaving the Bucs with 0:25 left. Garcia went straight to the end zone and found Bucs wide out Antonio Bryant tight roping the back of the end zone for a 24 yd touchdown. The Bucs were down 27-25 and needed a two point conversion to put it into overtime. Garcia would take the snap, by himself some time and then found TE Alex Smith in the end zone for the 2 pointer. Smith went down hard on the play, injuring his knee but held on to the football. Tie game! The Bucs finally had caught the Chiefs.

The Bucs won the toss and got the first possession in overtime. Clifton Smith returned the kickoff to the 26 yd line. On the first play of overtime, Garcia found WR Michael Clayton, who broke a tackle and raced down the sideline 29 yds to the Kansas City 45 yd line. After an offside penalty on the KC defense, Clifton Smith went up the middle for 2 yds and Garcia hit WR Ike Hillard for 3 yds and the 1st down at the 35. Garcia would connect with Clayton again at the 25 for a first down. After a first down incompletion, Smith would rush for 5 yds. On came Matt Bryant. As Matt began to kick, Kansas City called for a time out, Bryant made the field goal, but it didn't count. We go again, but before the kick, Bucs offensive lineman Jeremy Trueblood flinched for a false start - the play is dead - but its a good thing for the Bucs, as Bryant had pushed the kick wide right. Its 3rd and 10, instead of kicking it five yds further back, head coach Jon Gruden put the Buccaneers offense back out onto the field. Garcia would dump the pass off to Jamel Cook, who scampered for 9 yds to the Kansas City 16. From there, Matt Bryant drilled a 34 yd field goal, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame a 21 point deficit to win, the biggest comeback in Buccaneers history.

Tampa Bay escapes Kansas City with a 6-3 record, a half game behind the idle Carolina Panthers in the NFC South and limp into their bye week with a scary, but thrilling victory. For the Chiefs, its a crushing lesson in how to win, they drop to 1-7 despite completely outplaying Tampa Bay in nearly every facet of the game. The Bucs 4 turnover (2 in the red zone) performance should have ended in defeat, but they continued to fight, got some timely big plays from some unlikely sources and found a way to get the W. Sometimes, that's all you can ask for. The victory, btw, made Head Coach Jon Gruden to the #1 spot for victories in Buccaneers history.

Bucs O Shoots Blanks in Big D, Tampa Bay falls 13-9

By JC De La Torre

The Bucs rolled into Dallas to face Team Disarray but were sent home with an opportunity lost, falling in a frustrating 13-9 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Bucs wasted yet another tremendous performance by the Buccaneers defense, where they held their opponent under 200 yds of total offense for the third straight game.

Bucs took the lead with two first quarter field goals by kicker Matt Bryant. It was an early indicator as the Bucs failed to score on promising drives and had to settle for three points. Dallas had one of their few drives of the day, cashing in with a Nick Folk field goal with 9:02 left in the first half. After a missed 51 yd field goal by Matt Bryant, Dallas got possession of the football in good field position, with under a minute left in the first half. On 3rd and long, Tampa Bay's Ronde Barber made a tackle that would have saved a first down and forced a punt, but the Zebras would give the Cowboys new life with a "horse collar" personal foul penalty on Barber. The same "horse collar" type tackle was performed by the Cowboys earlier in the game and occurred again in the 2nd half - but was not called. This penalty began a succession of 4 straight penalties against the Buccaneer defense that set the Cowboys 1st and goal at the 3 with 0:06 left in the half. Dallas QB Brad Johnson would connect with new Cowboys WR Roy Williams on a "jump ball" touchdown pass, and the Cowboys led 10-6 at the half.

At the start of the 2nd half, the newest Buccaneer, Returner Clifton Smith, would cough up the football on the opening return of the half, setting the Cowboys up 1st and 10 at the Bucs 48 (Dallas was penalized with a personal foul for a late hit that apparently happened during the scrum for the football). The Bucs D would stiffen and prevent any further damage. After an exchange of punts, the Cowboys managed to move in to Bucs territory and get another 45 yd field goal from their Pro Bowl kicker, Nick Folk, to extend the lead to 13-6.

In the fourth quarter, a beautiful 31 yd reception by Alex Smith set up a 41 yd Matt Bryant field goal to close the gap to within four. The Bucs would get a few more chances but failed, the last of which, a two minute drill where the Bucs would convert two fourth downs to get it to the Dallas 21 yd line but a final 4th and 5 pass from Garcia to Jeremy Stevens would go incomplete. Game over, Dallas wins. The Bucs outgained Dallas 262-172. Dallas superstar Terrell Owens was grumpy, held to 33 yds on 5 receptions. Dallas running back Marion Barber was held to a 2.8 average, rushing for 71 yds on 25 carriers. The Bucs weren't any better offensively. Earnest Graham was held in check, with only 42 yds on 17 carries. Antonio Bryant had 7 receptions for 46 yds and there was a Joey Galloway siting for the Bucs, as Galloway hauled in 3 catches for 38 yds.

With the 13-9 loss, the Buccaneers fall to 5-3, ending the second quarter stretch a disappointing 2-2, and tumble out of first place in the NFC South. Dallas, meanwhile, gets a big victory that helps stop the bleeding at least for one week. Next up for the Bucs, another struggling team on the road, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bucs Smackdown Panthers!

By JC De La Torre

There haven't been many opportunities to say this - so I will enjoy this while I type it. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers up and laid the SMACKDOWN on the Carolina Panthers yesterday. The Bucs crushed Carolina 27-3 in a game that really wasn't even as close as the score. This was as a complete victory as we've seen from this Buccaneer squad in some time. The special teams contributed (blocked punt), the Offense contributed (20 points), and the defense absolutely dominated (3 interceptions of Jake Delhomme).

The Panthers turned the ball over three times and were limited to only 282 yds of total offense (most of which came in garbage time when the Bucs were playing reserves). The game not close from the outset. Rookie Linebacker Geno Hayes blocked Carolina punter Jason Baker's punt, recovered and took it in 27 yds for a score to give the Bucs a 7-0 lead. With 5:21 left in the first quarter, Tanard Jackson intercepted Delhomme, setting up a 5 play, 26 yd drive that culminated in a 2 yd Garcia to Alex Smith TD pass.

The teams would trade field goals in the second quarter and Matt Bryant would add another in the 3rd quarter to increase the lead to 20-3.

The Bucs would put the finishing touches on this one, driving 56 yds in 10 plays, as Earnest Graham plunged in to the end zone from the fullback position to stake Tampa Bay to a 27-3 advantage with 14:11 left in the ball game. The rest of the game consisted of failed Carolina drives and Warrick Dunn's running, as Warrick became the first back in 2008 to rush for over 100 yds against the vaunted Carolina defense. Dunn finished the day with 115 yds on 22 carries.

Tampa Bay didn't escape the game in perfect shape. Penalties continued to be a major issue for the team, as they were flagged several times for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Bucs finished the day 7 penalties for 80 yds. They also sustained injuries to FB Bryan Storer, WR Maurice Stovall, and LG Aaron Sears. Injured players Sabby Piscitelli and Barrett Ruud made it through without issue.

Then, there's the QB debate. Jeff Garcia looked steady, moving around in the pocket and making plays. He didn't turn the ball over and made the plays that resulted in the two Tampa Bay offensive touchdowns. Garcia was 15 for 20, 173 yds, with 1 TD. He was not sacked, which is a credit to the o-line who had a terrific day handling one of the fearcest front fours in football. I said to a friend, if Griese is going to be gun shy - he is no use to us. He may turn the ball over, but he also takes more chances that moves the chains and gets the Bucs into scoring position. Against Denver, he looked afraid to make a mistake, and that's not going to help the Bucs. Garcia looked confident, made plays, and most importantly, didn't turn the ball over. He looked like the old Jeff Garcia from last season. I think if Jeff Garcia has his head on right and is playing like he did last season - he is the choice for quarterback.

The Bucs improve to 4-2, dropping Carolina to an identical 4-2 record and enter a 3 way tie for first place in the NFC South with Carolina and Atlanta - two teams the Bucs dominated at home. Next week will be a big one, as it is Mike Alstott Commemorative Night. The Bucs will honor the A-train in front of a National television audience. The struggling Seattle Seahawks provide the opposition.