2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
Encyclopedia
The 2007
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
season was the 32nd season for the club in the National Football League
. On December 16, 2007, they cliched the NFC South
division title, and returned to the playoffs after missing it in 2006
.
On December 16, in a game against the Atlanta Falcons
, Micheal Spurlock
scored the first kickoff return touchdown in franchise history, snapping a streak of 32 seasons, 497 games (at 53 stadiums in 38 cities), 139 individuals, and 1,864 unsuccessful attempts. The play earned Spurlock the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
was in his sixth year with the Buccaneers. He was joined by Offensive Coordinator Bill Muir
and Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin
.
and head coach Jon Gruden
had approximately $
24 million in salary cap space with which to maneuver during free agency. They made a splash on the first day of free agency by signing two quarterbacks: unrestricted free agent
Jeff Garcia
(Eagles
) and Jake Plummer
(Broncos
) in a trade for a conditional pick in the 2008 draft (believed to be a 4th round selection if Plummer played). Controversy soon followed as Plummer announced his retirement on the same day, citing his health and his lack of a desire to compete for a job and learn a new system. However, he did not complete his retirement paperwork with the league. Many believed that Plummer was simply trying to retire so that he could later unretire and play for the Texans
. They are led by his former coach Gary Kubiak
, under whom Plummer played his best three years of football. The league reviewed the trade to make sure that Plummer had not retired before the trade (a retired player cannot be traded), but he had not and his rights officially belong to the Buccaneers. Other free agent losses and signings are as follows:
Signings
Losses
Re-signings
After brief stays on the open market, the Buccaneers re-signed CBs Phillip Buchanon and Torrie Cox
, the latter known as a special teams standout. They also re-signed fan favorite Mike Alstott
to a one-year contract, but ultimately lost him to injured reserve after a neck injury during the preseason.
took place in Radio City Music Hall
on April 28–29, 2007. The Buccaneers were either to pick third or fourth in the draft, to be determined by a coin flip with the Cleveland Browns
because the two teams had identical records and strength of schedule. Buccaneers GM Bruce Allen called heads and the coin landed tails. For the first round, the Buccaneers picked fourth. The two teams alternated picking third and fourth in each round. In addition to their given picks, Tampa Bay also holds the Colts' second round pick, the 64th pick overall (because of a midseason trade for Anthony McFarland
), but also lost a sixth round pick in a trade for tight end
Doug Jolley
formerly of the New York Jets
. They also received two compensatory picks, awarded for losses during free agency
. During the draft, the Buccaneers swapped fourth-rounders with the Minnesota Vikings
in exchange for their pick in the sixth round.
from July 26 through August 16. They played four preseason games
.
Notes
mate, the Seattle Seahawks
. In the first quarter, kicker Matt Bryant
provided two field goals for Tampa Bay (a 38-yarder and a 32-yarder) to begin the game. In the second quarter, the Seahawks took the lead with kicker Josh Brown getting a 28-yard field goal, while RB Shaun Alexander
got a 1-yard TD run. During a scoreless third quarter, injuries sidelined Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams (ribs) and quarterback Jeff Garcia
(head). Garcia, however, would return to the game. Seattle would wrap up the win with Brown kicking a 46-yard field goal, while QB Matt Hasselbeck
completed a 34-yard TD pass to RB Maurice Morris
.
With the loss, the Buccaneers began their season at 0-1, their third opening day defeat in the past four seasons.
NFC South
champion New Orleans Saints
. After scoring only 6 points the week before, the Buccaneers dominated the Saints, on offense and defense, at one point taking a 28-0 lead. Early in the first quarter, Barrett Ruud
recovered a Deuce McAllister
fumble, which set up a Tampa Bay scoring drive. Carnell Williams
, who was back in the lineup after injuring his ribs the week before, capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Early in the second quarter, Joey Galloway
scored on a 69-yard catch and run from quarterback Jeff Garcia
. Inside the two-minute warning, Garcia and Galloway scored again, this time with a 24-yard touchdown, to take a 21-0 halftime lead. Halfway through the third quarter, Cato June
intercepted a pass from Drew Brees
. Two plays later, Garcia and Galloway connected for yet another big play, a 41-yard completion to the New Orleans 9 yard line. Williams capped off the drive with his second 1-yard touchdown. New Orleans' first score finally came with a 1-yard touchdown run by Mike Karney
, aided by a 58-yard catch by Phillip Buchanon
moments earlier. The Buccaneers improved to 1-1, into a tie for the NFC South
lead. New Orleans fell to 0-2.
Following the game, with 16 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles, middle linebacker
Barrett Ruud
was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday September 19.
renewed a rivalry that was popular from 1999
–2004
. The early part of the game was a field position battle, with Rams running back Steven Jackson
rushing effectively in the first half. All of St. Louis' first half drives, however, came up empty on the scoreboard. Tampa Bay's first quarter drivers were also scoreless, with kicker Matt Bryant
missing a 54-yard field goal short after slipping in the damp grass. Just before the two-minute warning, Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins
missed a 42-yard field goal, setting up Tampa Bay's first score. After driving to the 17 yard line, a heavy downpour drenched the stadium. Matt Bryant
connected on 27-yard field goal for the game's first points and concluded the first half. Tampa Bay received the second half kickoff, and rolled into the endzone with a 7-yard touchdown run by Carnell Williams. St. Louis drove to the Tampa Bay 10 yard line, aided by two uncharactaristic defensive penalties by Derrick Brooks
(late hit) and Ronde Barber
(taunting). The threat was moot, however, as Phillip Buchanon
intercepted Marc Bulger
in the endzone. In the fourth quarter, Carnell Williams
, aggravated his sore ribs, and fumbled the ball while Oshiomogho Atogwe
recovered for St. Louis. The Rams finally got on the scoreboard with a 25-yard field goal, narrowing the lead to 10-3 with 12 minutes to play. Back up running back Earnest Graham
took over for Williams, and iced the game with two rushing touchdowns, the first of his career outside of the preseason
.
met for the first time this season, with first place in the NFC South
on the line. Carolina starting quarterback Jake Delhomme
sat out the game with an elbow injury, and was replaced by David Carr
. The Buccaneer offense started the game with an exhausting, 11-play, 71-yard drive, capped off by a 3-yard scramble by Jeff Garcia
for a touchdown. With 3 minutes left in the first quarter, running back Carnell Williams blasted down the field for an 18-yard run, but his right leg buckled, seriously injuring his knee. As he was being carted off the field, nearly the entire Buccaneers team, along with several Panthers players, huddled around Williams in support. After the injury timeout, Earnest Graham
salvaged the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Tampa Bay extended their halftime lead to 17-0 after a Matt Bryant
field goal, meanwhile, Carolina's offense was sputtering, blasted by the Buccaneers defense, who sacked Carr three times, and intercepeted him once. Carr completed only 19 of 41 pass attempts, and Carolina was facing their first shutout in five seasons. With 23 seconds left in regulation, Carolina finally got on the board with a touchdown pass to DeAngelo Williams
. An onside kick was unsuccessful, and the Buccaneers won their third straight game.
Through four games, the Buccaneers have not given up any points in the first quarter, and quarterback Jeff Garcia
has not yet thrown a single interception. After the game, the Buccaneers announced that running back Carnell Williams (torn patellar ligament
) and left tackle Luke Petitgout (torn ACL
) would both face season-ending surgery. On Wednesday October 3, linebacker Barrett Ruud
was named the NFC Defensive Player of Month for September with a league-leading 51 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception.
for the second time. The previous meeting between the two teams in 2003
saw the Colts erase a 21-point deficit in the final four minutes to win the game in overtime. Both teams entered the game with players sidelined by injuries. Marvin Harrison
and Joseph Addai
sat out for Indianapolis, while Carnell Williams
and Luke Petitgout were placed on injured reserve for Tampa Bay.
The Colts controlled the tempo of most of the game, with a time of possession of over 38 minutes and 400 yards of offense. The Buccaneers were held to only 177 total yards and only 17 yards rushing. The first three Buccaneers possessions were 3-and-outs. Meanwhile, Indianapolis pulled out to a 13-0 lead. In the second quarter, Tanard Jackson
intercepted Peyton Manning
and set up the Buccaneers' first scoring drive. During the drive, running back Michael Pittman
left the game with an injured ankle. Two plays later Tampa Bay got on the board with a Jeff Garcia
touchdown pass to Alex Smith
, and narrowed the score to 13-7.
In the second half, Indianapolis continued to dominate both sides of the ball, and stretched their lead to 30-7. Garcia
and Smith
connected for a second touchdown pass with just over 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and made the score 30-14. Hoping to spark a comeback, Tampa Bay attempted a surprise onside kick
, but it was called back by a penalty. Indianapolis then took the re-kick, and put three more points on the board with an Adam Vinatieri
field goal. Bruce Gradkowski
took over as quarterback for Tampa Bay, and subsequently threw an interception to seal the victory for the Colts.
The following day, on Monday October 8, the Buccaneers announced that Michael Pittman
would miss 6–8 weeks with a cracked fibula.
at Raymond James Stadium
, their second inter-conference matchup in two weeks. Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham
was a part of the starting lineup for the first time in his career, replacing the injured Michael Pittman
, who sat out the game.
The first half was a defensive struggle, with neither team scoring in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Tennessee drove to the Buccaneers 32 yard line, but quarterback Vince Young
fumbled the ball and the Buccaneers recovered. Jeff Garcia
connected on a 39-yard pass play to Michael Clayton, to help set up a 23-yard Matt Bryant
field goal, the first points of the game. Moments later, Phillip Buchanon
intercepted Vince Young
with 1:29 remaining in the half, to maintain a 3-0 halftime lead.
Tennessee took the second half kickoff, and executed a 12-play, 45-yard drive which resulted in a 48-yard field goal by Rob Bironas
. On their next possession, Vince Young
ran out of bounds, and suffered a strained quad. He would have to leave the game, and was replaced by Kerry Collins
. On Tampa Bay's next drive, Garcia connected with Joey Galloway
for a 69-yard touchdown catch. On the ensuing drive Ronde Barber
intercepted a pass by Kerry Collins
, but it ruled incomplete after review.
With less than four minutes remaining in regulation, Collins drove the Titans to the Buccaneers 23 yard line. For the second time, Ronde Barber
intercepted Collins, this time in the endzone, but it was again ruled incomplete after review. The drive continued, and with 1:24 remaining, LenDale White
tied the game 10-10 with a touchdown run. With only one timeout, Garcia drove the Buccaneers 55 yards on seven plays. With 11 seconds remaining, Matt Bryant
kicked a game-winning 43-yard field goal.
The Tampa Bay racked up 422 yards of offense against Detroit, and quarterback Jeff Garcia
passed for 316 yards, but two costly fumbles and one blocked punt allowed the Lions to take the victory.
In the first quarter, Tampa Bay and Detroit began what would be a physical game. Tampa Bay suffered injuries to Mark Jones (knee) and Michael Clayton (ankle), and neither would return. On the sixth play of the game, Detroit forced a fumble for a loss of 23 yards. However, an instant replay ruled the play an incomplete pass instead. Moments later, the Lions blocked a punt by Josh Bidwell
, and the turnover led to a field goal. On the next drive, the Buccaneers drove 43 yards to the Lions 37 yard line, but a fumble between the exchange from Garcia to Earnest Graham
was recovered by the Lions. Detroit moved quickly down the field and Kevin Jones
scored the first touchdown of the game.
Early in the second quarter, Garcia capped off an 81-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard
. Their next possession, a 16-play, 58-yard drive, covered over 9 minutes. It came up empty, as Matt Bryant
missed a field goal. Detroit moved quickly to score a field goal just before halftime.
Late in the third quarter, and early in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay started another long drive. A 15-play, 73-yard drive of over 7 minutes drove the Buccaneers to the Detroit 1 yard line. Tampa Bay had converted on two third downs, and one fourth down. But Garcia fumbled the handoff on a first and goal at the 1 yard line, and Detroit recovered. They would drive 93 yard for their second touchdown.
Trailing by 16, Tampa Bay drove 78 yards in 16 plays, and Maurice Stovall caught Garcia's second touchdown pass. A two-point coversion failed, but Bryant performed and onside kick, which Tampa Bay recovered. The Buccaneers managed to trim the deficit to 7, but a second onside kick failed, and Detroit took the victory.>
Scoring summary
Q
Team
Time
Scoring play
Score
1
Det
9:53
Hanson
34-yard FG
Det 3-0
1
Det
1:17
Jones
1-yard TD run (Hanson
kick)
Det 10-0
2
TB
12:48
5-yard TD pass from Garcia
to Hilliard
(Bryant
kick)
Det 10-7
2
Det
0:05
Hanson
42-yard FG
Det 13-7
3
Det
4:13
Hanson
32-yard FG
Det 16-7
4
Det
6:28
Johnson
34-yard TD run (Hanson
kick)
Det 23-7
4
TB
2:03
4-yard TD pass from Garcia
to Stovall
(pass failed)
Det 23-13
4
TB
1:04
Bryant
48-yard FG
Det 23-16
Tampa bay faced in-state rival Jacksonville Jaguars
for the fourth time in the regular season. Injured Jacksonville starting quarterback David Garrard
was replaced by Quinn Gray
, while Jeff Garcia
hoped to extend on a 217-consecutive passing streak without an interception.
In the first half, Jacksonville's running attack of Fred Taylor, LaBrandon Toefield
and Maurice Jones-Drew
rushed 15 times in their first 16 plays from scrimmage, and eventually set up a 10-3 lead. In the second quarter, Garcia threw his first interception of the season, which was returned for a Jacksonville score. Tampa Bay quickly responded, however, driving 81 yards in three plays, capped off with Garcia and Joey Galloway
connecting for a 58-yard touchdown.
A momentum shift appeared to occur near the end of the second quarter, as Tampa Bay forced Jacksonville into a 3-and-out. Inside the two-minute warning, Garcia drove the Buccaneers to the 4 yard line. Garcia scrambled on 3rd & 10, colliding with Reggie Nelson
, losing his helmet, but fell one yard short of the first down. Tampa Bay settled for a Matt Bryant
field goal, and a 13-17 halftime deficit.
Tampa Bay's defense dominated the third quarter, forcing Jacksonville a turnover on downs, a fumble in the endzone (recovered by Gray on the 1 yard line), and a blocked punt. The good field position led to Michael Bennett's first touchdown as a Buccaneer.
The fourth quarter saw Jacksonville re-take the lead with an 8-yard touchdown pass. Despite two late drives starting with decent field position, Tampa Bay's effort died when Garcia's pass was deflected and intercepted with 19 seconds remaining, his third pick of the game. The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 4-4, second place in the NFC South
.
, snapping a two-game losing streak, and regained first place in the NFC South. Tampa Bay dominated the game, maintaining a time of possession of over 43 minutes with running back Earnest Graham
rushing for 124 yards and one touchdown. Tampa Bay's defense held Arizona to only 23 yards rushing, and held them to 2 of 10 third down conversions.
In the first quarter, Arizona quickly drove down the field, connecting on a 47-yard pass from Kurt Warner
to Larry Fitzgerald
. The drive stalled, however, and they settled for 43-yard Neil Rackers
field goal. Tampa bay answered on the ensuing drive. On 3rd and 1, from the 42 yard line, Jeff Garcia
fell, but avoided a sack, and scrambled for a first down. Two plays later he scored a 37-yard touchdown pass to Joey Galloway
.
On the first play of the second quarter, Tanard Jackson
intercepted Warner's pass, and Arizona was penalized 15 yards for a facemask, setting up the Buccaneers on the Arizona 27 yard line. Tampa Bay suffered two false start penalties, and settled for a field goal and took a 10-3 lead into halftime.
Tampa Bay took the second half kickoff and drove 64 yards in ten plays. The drive was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Earnest Graham
. Late in the third quarter, the Buccaneers started a 19-play, 86-yard drive, lasting nearly 9 minutes. At the 8 yard line, Garcia threw to Alex Smith
but the pass was incomplete in the endzone. The drive came up empty when Matt Bryant missed a 26-yard field goal. Arizona quickly drove down the field and scored a touchdown by Edgerrin James
, narrowing the margin to 17-10.
With 2:43 remaining in the game, Tampa Bay punted to Arizona. Maurice Stovall
de-cleated receiver Steve Breaston
at the Arizona 16 yard line, preventing a return. On the very next play, Jermaine Phillips
intercepted Warner's pass, sealing the victory for Tampa Bay.
defeated Carolina
, and St. Louis
upset New Orleans
, giving Tampa Bay sole possession of first place in the NFC South
.
. Tampa Bay dominated, and enjoyed the return of Michael Pittman
from injury. Atlanta started quarterback Byron Leftwich
. Atlanta suffered four turnovers, and 11 penalties for 105 yards in the loss.
In the first quarter, both teams traded punts on their opening drive. On Tampa Bay's second drive, Pittman caught an 11-yard pass but fumbled and it was recovered by Keith Brooking
. An instant replay challenge upheld the ruling on the field. On the very next play, Byron Leftwich
was hit as he released the ball, and it was intercepted by Barrett Ruud
, who returned the ball to the 28 yard line. Tampa Bay drove 72 yards in three plays, as Joey Galloway
caught a 44-yard touchdown.
In the second quarter, Leftwich was sacked from behind and fumbled the ball. Ronde Barber
picked up the ball, and ran 41 yards for Tampa Bay's second touchdown. On Atlanta's next drive, Warrick Dunn
fumbled at the 45 yard line. Atlanta challenged the ruling, and the call on the field was overturned and ruled an incomplete pass. The following play, Roddy White
fumbled, and Brian Kelly recovered for Tampa Bay. He lateraled to Cato June
, who then lost the ball. Despite an instant replay challenge by Tampa Bay, the ruling on the field was upheld. Atlanta, however, was unable to move down the field, and Tampa Bay took a 14-0 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Tampa Bay added a field goal, then Gaines Adams
chopped Leftwich's arm as he threw and his floating pass was intercepted by Chris Hovan
(later in the week NFL officials revised the play to a sack & fumble recovery). Tampa Bay quickly scored another touchdown catch by Alex Smith. In the fourth quarter, Earnest Graham
took over the offense for Tampa Bay, rushing 102 yards total, and a touchdown score. Atlanta avoided the shutout, replacing Leftwich with Joey Harrington
, and scored a touchdown with 1:10 to go.
for the third time in three seasons during the month of November. Tampa Bay's defense dominated a good part of the game, forcing six turnovers, and despite quarterback Jeff Garcia
sitting out most of the game, the Buccaneers held on for a 19-13 victory.
On the game's first play, Garcia tried to scramble, but injured his back upon being tackled by Cornelius Griffin
. He would last only two more plays, and was replaced by Bruce Gradkowski
until early in the 4th quarter. Garcia's injury seemingly galvanized the Tampa Bay defense, who went on to cause 4 turnovers in the first half. Phillip Buchanon
forced a fumble off the Redskins' first pass which was recovered by Tanard Jackson
who advanced it 8 yards to the Washington 19. Three plays later, Earnest Graham
scored a 1 yard touchdown run. On the third play of Washington's next drive, Greg White
hit Clinton Portis
hard, forcing a fumble which Jackson recovered at the 19 yard line. Tampa took a 10-0 lead after a Matt Bryant
field goal.
Early in the second quarter, Greg White
forced yet another fumble as he sacked Jason Campbell
which Kevin Carter recovered. The turnover led to another field goal. Portis fumbled again on the following drive as he took a bone-jarring hit from Jermaine Phillips
and Tampa Bay capitalized with a third field goal. Before the half, Washington managed to get on the board with a field goal, then Tampa Bay kicked a fourth field goal as the half expired to lead 19-3.
The second half saw Washington attempt a comeback. Despite injuring his hand, Campbell stayed in the game, and threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley. Meanwhile, Gradkowski stayed in at quarterback for Tampa Bay, and continued to perform poorly. Tampa Bay managed only 9 yards of offense in the third quarter, and 0 yards passing. The Redskins drove 66 yards in 13 plays and over nine minutes to the Tampa Bay 4 yard line. Tampa Bay's defense held on 4th and 1 at the 4, however, as linebacker Derrick Brooks
shed several blockers to down Portis for no gain.
Washington narrowed the score to 19-13 in the fourth quarter. With about 11 minutes to go, Jeff Garcia
returned to the game, hoping to spark Tampa Bay's offense, and hold on for the win. He was unable to do much against the Redskins' well-rested and fired up defense, however, and Tampa Bay ended up having to punt. Josh Bidwell
pinned the Redskins at their own 9 yard line, and Campbell drove them to the Tampa Bay 32 yard line. Ronde Barber
stopped the threat when he intercepted the ball at the 28 yard line. With less than a minute to go, Campbell drove the Redskins to the Tampa Bay 16 yard line, but Brian Kelly intercepted the pass in the endzone with 17 seconds remaining, to clinch the victory for the Buccaneers.
for the second time this season, this time at the Superdome. Luke McCown
started at quarterback for the Buccaneers in place of the injured Jeff Garcia
. McCown would pass for 313 yards, and connectd on his first 15 consecutive passes of the game.
The Buccaneers scored the first points of the game with Matt Bryant
's 27-yard field goal. New Orleans answered with WR Terrance Copper
catching a 4-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees
. Late in the first quarter, McCown connected with Joey Galloway
for a 60-yard catch which set Tampa Bay up on the 1 yard line.
Tampa Bay retook the lead early in the second quarter with TE Anthony Becht
catching a 1-yard TD, and Matt Bryant
making another field goal to increase the Tampa Bay lead to 13-7. New Orleans scored a touchdown just before halftime, a 45-yard pass to WR Devery Henderson
, to make it 13-14 at halftime.
In the second half, RB Earnest Graham
scored a 25-yard touchdown run. New Orleans had to punt on their ensuing possession, but disaster struck with 3 minutes remaining in the third quarter as miscommunications between McCown and WR Joey Galloway
led to a Saints interception which was returned for a touchdown.
Leading 21-20 with 4 minutes remaining in the game, Saints P Steve Weatherford
made a successful coffin corner punt which pinned the Buccaneers at their own 2-yard line. Two plays later, DE Will Smith sacked McCown for a safety. After the safety kick, New Orleans looked to run the clock out and seal the victory. However, in an unexpected and perhaps season-altering mistake, Reggie Bush
fumbled a double reverse intended for WR Devery Henderson
and Jovan Haye
recovered for Tampa Bay at the New Orleans 37-yard line. Three plays later, the Buccaneers found themselves in a predicament as they faced a 4th and 1 at the New Orleans 28. Instead of attempting a game-tying field goal, however, coach Jon Gruden
went for it on fourth down, calling a run around right tackle which Graham converted for a first down. Three plays later, McCown found TE Jerramy Stevens
for a 4-yard touchdown to win the game.
With the win, Tampa Bay improved to 8-4 and maintained a perfect division record. Tampa Bay only needed to win one game in the final four weeks to clinch the NFC South
division crown.
for only the second time in the regular season, and for the first time during the regular season at Reliant Stadium
. With a win, or losses by New Orleans
and Carolina
, Tampa Bay would clinch the NFC South
division title. Tampa Bay's postseason berth, however, would have to wait at least another night, as the Texans capitalized on a sluggish Buccaneers squad.
For the second week in a row, Luke McCown
started in place of injured Jeff Garcia
. Meanwhile, back-up quarterback Sage Rosenfels
led the Texans. Tampa Bay took the opening kickoff, and drove to the Houston 34 yard line. Coach Jon Gruden
elected to go for it on 4th down and 2, but running back Earnest Graham
was tackled for no gain. Houston took over on downs, and scored a quick and convincing touchdown pass. On the ensuing kickoff, Tampa Bay's Micheal Spurlock
returned the ball 45 yards to the Houston 47. Even though the drive ended in a punt, the good field position helped pin the Texans deep on their next drive. Greg White
sacked Rosenfels
and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jovan Haye
the Houston 25. Five plays later, Earnest Graham
scored his first rushing touchdown to tie the score 7-7.
Later in the second quarter, Ike Hilliard
caught a pass for a first down at the Houston 28, but Will Demps
hit Hillard in an apparent helmet-to-helmet and forced a fumble, but did not draw a penalty. Houston recovered, and soon scored a second touchdown to lead 14-7 at halftime.
Houston received the second half kickoff, which Andre Davis
returned 97 yards for a touchdown. Just over two minutes later, Tampa Bay responded with a 4-play, 69-yard drive, capped off by Graham's second rushing touchdown. Tampa Bay, however, would not score again.
Houston added another score early in the fourth quarter, and held on for a 28-14 victory. Tampa Bay fell to 8-5, but still controls their own destiny for the division championship and overall playoff picture. A single victory in the final three weeks will clinch the NFC South
championship. In other week 14 action, Carolina
lost to Jacksonville
, eliminating them from the division race, and New Orleans
defeated Atlanta
, keeping themselves mathematically alive for the division title.
. With the convincing victory, Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South
division title, maintained a perfect 5-0 division record, and scored their first kickoff return touchdown in franchise history.
Tampa Bay's defense recorded the first points of the game, as Ronde Barber
intercepted Chris Redman
's pass on the third play of the game and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. Atlanta got on the board next with kicker Morten Andersen
making a 33-yard field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Micheal Spurlock
made team history by becoming the first Buccaneer player to return a kickoff for a touchdown. It was the first kickoff return touchdown for Tampa Bay in 32 seasons, 498 games, and 1,865 attempts.
After the Buccaneer defense forced a Falcons punt, Jeff Garcia
commandeered a long, clock-eating 10-minute drive ending in a 33-yard field goal by Matt Bryant
to make the score 17-3. With just over five minutes remaining in the first half, Tampa bay recovered an Atlanta fumble, and Earnest Graham
scored a 1-yard TD run. Graham became the first player in club history to score a touchdown in six consecutive games. With a 24-3 lead, Tampa Bay performed a pooch kickoff, and Atlanta muffed the return, while Kalvin Pearson
recovered. Tampa Bay drove to the 24 yard line, but DeAngelo Hall
intercepted a pass intended for Joey Galloway
at the Atlanta 11-yard line. The Buccaneers would immediately regain possession as Greg White
forced and recovered a fumble on the next play. Matt Bryant then easily converted a 28-yard field goal to take a 27-3 lead into halftime.
Tampa Bay would receive the second half's opening kickoff, but was forced to punt after a 7-minute drive. On Atlanta's third play, Jermaine Phillips
intercepted a pass intended for Jerious Norwood
which set Tampa Bay up at the Atlanta 23-yard line. Matt Bryant then scored the half's first points with a 34-yard field goal to make the score 30-3. In the fourth quarter, punter Josh Bidwell
successfully pinned Atlanta at their own 6 yard line. The resulting poor field position eventually led to Tampa Bay taking over near midfield. Michael Bennett carried six times all the way to the Atlanta 1-yard line, from which Anthony Becht
scored the game's final points off a 1-yard TD catch.
Statistically, Tampa Bay's defense dominated Atlanta. The Falcons managed only 133 yards of total offense, committed five turnovers, and were 0-for-9 on third down conversions. The Falcons crossed midfield only once, and Tampa Bay's time of possession was 43 minutes. On the following Wednesday, the kickoff return touchdown earned Spurlock the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
for the third time in five seasons. Tampa Bay lost their eight consecutive meeting at Monster Park
, dating to 1980. This game was originally scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on NBC's Sunday Night Football
, but on December 10, in accordance with flex-scheduling, the game was moved to the afternoon. Having already clinched a playoff berth, Tampa Bay rested most of their starters in the second half. Despite a late rally, the Buccaneers fell two points short of victory.
Tampa Bay controlled most of the first half, capping off their first two drives of the first quarter with field goals by Matt Bryant
. On the first play of the second quarter, Shaun Hill
connected with Darrell Jackson
on a 21-yard touchdown.
San Francisco punted on their next drive, and Micheal Spurlock
fielded the ball at the 19 yard line. He was tackled and fumbled, while the 49ers recovered. After an instant replay
challenge, it was determined that Spurlock was down by contact, and Tampa Bay maintained possession. The drive fizzled though, and ended with a punt. Late in the fourth quarter, Barrett Ruud
recovered a 49ers fumble, setting the Buccaneers up on the San Francisco 36 yard line. Four plays later, Jerramy Stevens
caught a touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia
. Tampa Bay took a 13-7 lead into halftime.
On the second-half kickoff, San Francisco recovered a surprise onside kick
. The drive came up empty, as they were forced to punt. On Tampa Bay's next possession, however, Luke McCown
(who had taken over for the benched Garcia) fumbled and the 49ers recovered at the 14 yard line. In four plays, San Francisco scored a touchdown.
Early in the fourth quarter, Nate Clements
intercepted a McCown pass, and led to another 49ers touchdown. The 49ers led 21-13, but Tampa Bay still kept hopes alive for a rally. With less than six minutes left in the game, the Buccaneers drove to the 49ers 25 yard line. On 4th down and 6, McCown threw to Michael Clayton for an apparent one-handed touchdown catch, but the ball fell incomplete, and the drive turned over on downs. Tampa Bay managed one final chance to tie the score. Inside the two-minute warning, Tampa Bay drove to the 49ers 24 yard line. McCown rolled out wide to his right, and connected with Stevens for a 24-yard touchdown. McCown then attempted a game-tying two-point conversion. Michael Clayton caught the pass, but one of his feet touched out-of-bounds in the back of the endzone, sealing the game for San Francisco.
against the Panthers
. They dropped the season finale, and their second-straight game, but rested most of their starters (including Garcia
, Graham
, Galloway
and Ruud
). Luke McCown
started at quarterback.
On their opening drive, McCown drove the Buccaneers for the game's first score, a touchdown pass to Jerramy Stevens
. The drive included a 52-yard catch by Chad Lucas
. Carolina responded by driving to the Tampa Bay 4 yard line. A field goal kick was good, but a holding penalty by Derrick Brooks
gave the Panthers a first down. They capitalized by scoring a touchdown.
In the second quarter, an interception by Phillip Buchanon
led to a Tampa Bay field goal. Late in the second quarter, Josh Bidwell
punted to Carolina, but a fumble on the return was recovered by the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay tacked on another field goal before halftime, and trailed 14-13 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, Carolina punted and pinned the Buccaneers on their own 2 yard line. McCown then led the Buccaneers on a 10-play, 98-yard touchdown drive, the longest such scoring drive in franchise history. Carolina kept themselves in the game, however, quickly following up with a 46-yard reception to Drew Carter
, and then a 1-yard touchdown run.
Trailing 31-23 late in the fourth quarter, McCown drove the Buccaneers to the Carolina 36 yard line, but was intercepted by Richard Marshall. The Buccaneers finished the regular season 9-7 (5-1 division, 6-2 home).
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
season was the 32nd season for the club in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. On December 16, 2007, they cliched the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
division title, and returned to the playoffs after missing it in 2006
2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on their 11-5 record in 2005.-Summary:After winning the division in 2005, the Buccaneers suffered through an abysmal 2006 season...
.
On December 16, in a game against the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Micheal Spurlock
Micheal Spurlock
Michael Curtis Spurlock is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
scored the first kickoff return touchdown in franchise history, snapping a streak of 32 seasons, 497 games (at 53 stadiums in 38 cities), 139 individuals, and 1,864 unsuccessful attempts. The play earned Spurlock the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
Coaching staff
Head coach Jon GrudenJon Gruden
Jon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
was in his sixth year with the Buccaneers. He was joined by Offensive Coordinator Bill Muir
Bill Muir
William "Bill" Muir is currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff where he is the Offensive Coordinator. He was previously the offensive line coach. Muir is also the former offensive coordinator for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As a member of head coach Jon Gruden's staff, he...
and Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin
Monte Kiffin
Monte Kiffin is an American football coach. He is widely considered to be one of the preeminent defensive coordinators in modern football, as well as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history...
.
Staff
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2007 coaching staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
Coaching Support
|
|||||
Offseason
The 2007 offseason proved to be productive for the Buccaneers. General manager Bruce AllenBruce Allen (American football)
Bruce Allen is the general manager of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Previously, Allen served as general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and as a senior executive with the Oakland Raiders .-Background:...
and head coach Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Jon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
had approximately $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
24 million in salary cap space with which to maneuver during free agency. They made a splash on the first day of free agency by signing two quarterbacks: unrestricted free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
(Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and Jake Plummer
Jake Plummer
Jason Steven "Jake" Plummer is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State....
(Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) in a trade for a conditional pick in the 2008 draft (believed to be a 4th round selection if Plummer played). Controversy soon followed as Plummer announced his retirement on the same day, citing his health and his lack of a desire to compete for a job and learn a new system. However, he did not complete his retirement paperwork with the league. Many believed that Plummer was simply trying to retire so that he could later unretire and play for the Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. They are led by his former coach Gary Kubiak
Gary Kubiak
Gary Wayne Kubiak is the head coach for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Kubiak has participated in six Super Bowls, losing three as a player with the Denver Broncos and winning three as an assistant coach with Denver and the San Francisco 49ers.-High school:Kubiak passed for a...
, under whom Plummer played his best three years of football. The league reviewed the trade to make sure that Plummer had not retired before the trade (a retired player cannot be traded), but he had not and his rights officially belong to the Buccaneers. Other free agent losses and signings are as follows:
Signings
- New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
OT Luke Petitgout, signed after being waived by his former team due to medical reasons. - Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
UFA DE Kevin Carter - Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
UFA LB Cato JuneCato JuneCato Nnamdi June is a free agent American football linebacker who most recently played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. A 2006 Pro Bowl choice, June was a...
who was selected to the Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
two years ago - New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
UFA FB B.J. Askew - Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
UFA DE/LB Patrick ChukwurahPatrick ChukwurahPatrick C. Chukwurah is a Nigerian defensive end of American football who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
who had 4.5 sacks last season off of the bench. He is reunited with his former defensive coordinator, the current Buccaneers defensive line coach, Larry CoyerLarry CoyerLarry Coyer is the former defensive coordinator for the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts. Prior to holding this position, he was the Assistant head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Defensive Coordinator for the Denver Broncos.-Private life:Coyer was born in Huntington, West...
. - San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
UFA CB Sammy DavisSammy Davis (American football)Sammy James Davis, Jr. is an American football cornerback. He is a free agent, as well as a businessman and owner of the Austin Capitals, a basketball team playing in the American Basketball Association. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers 30th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft...
, a former first round pick by the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
UFA DT Lance LegreeLance LegreeLance Legree is a fomer American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Notre Dame.-External links:*...
, who has recorded 138 tackles and seven sacks in 76 games, including 25 starts. He was released on April 10. - DT Kenny SmithKenny Smith (American football)Kenny Smith is an American football defensive lineman who is currently a Free Agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, who was out of football last season, but spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints and one year with the Oakland Raiders, totaling 69 tackles and 4½ sacks. - New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
UFA WR Levon Thomas who spent most of his time on the practice squad after being signed as an UFA by the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
following the 2005 NFL Draft.
Losses
- The key loss for the Buccaneers was standout DE and former second round pick, Dewayne WhiteDeWayne WhiteDeWayne White is an American defensive end for the Omaha Nighthawks who is currently a free agent. He entered the league as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers top overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft. White tied a team record by recording at least half-a-sack in six consecutive games in 2004. He has...
who left to sign with his former DL coach, the current head coach of the Detroit Lions, Rod MarinelliRod MarinelliRodney Marinelli is the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach of the Chicago Bears. He is the former head coach of the Detroit Lions...
. - Versatile Lineman Sean MahanSean MahanSean Christopher Mahan is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
left to join the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
to reunite with another former Tampa Bay coach, Mike TomlinMike TomlinMichael Tomlin is the current head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Tomlin is the third youngest head coach in any of the four major North American professional sports. He is the tenth African-American head coach in NFL history, and first in Steelers history...
. - The team released veteran linebacker Shelton QuarlesShelton QuarlesShelton Eugene Quarles is a former linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he played for in his ten-year career from 1997 to 2006. He now serves as a scout for the Buccaneers.-High school years:...
after it was reported he failed a physical. Quarles had long been a productive player for Tampa, having spent his entire ten year NFL career with the team. - Following the draft, the Buccaneers released cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Juran BoldenJuran BoldenJuran T. Bolden is a former American cornerback of American and Canadian football. He last played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in 2007. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
, safety Tra Boger, long snapperLong snapperIn American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
Adam Johnson and defensive tackle Kenny Smith.
Re-signings
After brief stays on the open market, the Buccaneers re-signed CBs Phillip Buchanon and Torrie Cox
Torrie Cox
Torrie Tywan Cox is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh....
, the latter known as a special teams standout. They also re-signed fan favorite Mike Alstott
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
to a one-year contract, but ultimately lost him to injured reserve after a neck injury during the preseason.
Roster
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2007 final roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Dan Buenning Dan Robert Buenning is an American football guard for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.Buenning has also been a member of the Chicago Bears.-External... G Davin Joseph Davin Joseph is an American football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Buccaneers 23rd overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma.-Early years:Joseph played high school football at Hallandale High School... G Matt Lehr Matthew Steven Lehr is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.... C/G Donald Penn Donald Ward Penn is an American football offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2006... T Arron Sears Arron Eugene Sears is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.... G Jeremy Trueblood Jeremy Tyler Trueblood is an American football offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft... T Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Quincy Black Quincy Booker Black , is a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He attended the University of New Mexico.-High school career:Black attended Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago, where he played linebacker... OLB Derrick Brooks Derrick Dewan Brooks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers 28th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.... OLB Adam Hayward Adam Hayward is an American football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-Early life:A linebacker at Marina High School, Adam was unnerved by the idea of playing the position of Safety for Colorado State University, He took a year off from football at Colorado to take care of some family issues... OLB Cato June Cato Nnamdi June is a free agent American football linebacker who most recently played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. A 2006 Pro Bowl choice, June was a... OLB Ryan Nece Ryan Clint Nece is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2002... ILB Barrett Ruud Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.... ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jeremiah Trotter is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stephen F... ILB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Mike Alstott Michael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue... FB (IR)  Antoine Cash Antoine Cash is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Southern Mississippi.... ILB (IR) Torrie Cox Torrie Tywan Cox is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.... CB (IR) Chris Denman Chris Denman is an American football offensive lineman who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... OT (IR) Sam Olajubutu Sam Olajubutu is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2007... OLB (IR) Greg Peterson Greg Peterson is a American football defensive end for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was most recently a member of the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft... DT (IR) Jake Plummer Jason Steven "Jake" Plummer is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.... QB (Did Not Report) Sabby Piscitelli Sabatino "The Goat" Piscitelli is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft... SS (IR) Chris Simms Christopher David Simms is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.Simms has also played for the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers... QB (IR) Maurice Stovall Maurice Aurilius Stovall is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-Early years:Stovall grew up in Philadelphia and went... WR (IR) Paris Warren Paris Jazz Warren is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft... WR (IR) Practice Squad
Rookies in italics |
|||||
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
took place in Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
on April 28–29, 2007. The Buccaneers were either to pick third or fourth in the draft, to be determined by a coin flip with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
because the two teams had identical records and strength of schedule. Buccaneers GM Bruce Allen called heads and the coin landed tails. For the first round, the Buccaneers picked fourth. The two teams alternated picking third and fourth in each round. In addition to their given picks, Tampa Bay also holds the Colts' second round pick, the 64th pick overall (because of a midseason trade for Anthony McFarland
Anthony McFarland
Anthony Darelle "Booger" McFarland is an American football player who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15th overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University.McFarland has also played for the Indianapolis Colts...
), but also lost a sixth round pick in a trade for tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Doug Jolley
Doug Jolley
Doug Jolley is a former American football tight end in the National Football League.-Life:Jolley attended Brigham Young University, where he was a first-team All-Mountain West selection in 2001. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and was a starter on...
formerly of the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. They also received two compensatory picks, awarded for losses during free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. During the draft, the Buccaneers swapped fourth-rounders with the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
in exchange for their pick in the sixth round.
| Draft order | Player name | Position | Height | Weight | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Choice | |||||
| 1 | 4 | Gaines Adams Gaines Adams Gaines Adams was an American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round in the 2007 NFL Draft and in 2009 was traded to the Chicago Bears... |
DE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
6 ft 5 in | 258 lb | Clemson Clemson University Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States.... |
| 2 | 35 | Arron Sears Arron Sears Arron Eugene Sears is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.... |
OG | 6 ft 4 in | 315 lb | Tennessee University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States... |
| 2 | 64 | Sabby Piscitelli Sabby Piscitelli Sabatino "The Goat" Piscitelli is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
S Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... |
6 ft 3 in | 224 lb | Oregon State Oregon State University Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the... |
| 3 | 69 | Quincy Black Quincy Black Quincy Booker Black , is a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He attended the University of New Mexico.-High school career:Black attended Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago, where he played linebacker... |
LB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
6 ft 2 in | 240 lb | New Mexico University of New Mexico The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution... |
| 4 | 106 | Tanard Jackson Tanard Jackson Tanard Ricardo Jackson is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
S/CB Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... |
6 ft 0 in | 192 lb | Syracuse Syracuse University Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College... |
| 5 | 141 | Greg Peterson Greg Peterson Greg Peterson is a American football defensive end for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was most recently a member of the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
DT | 6 ft 5 in | 286 lb | NCCU North Carolina Central University North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels.... |
| 6 | 182 | Adam Hayward Adam Hayward Adam Hayward is an American football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-Early life:A linebacker at Marina High School, Adam was unnerved by the idea of playing the position of Safety for Colorado State University, He took a year off from football at Colorado to take care of some family issues... |
LB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
6 ft 0 in | 235 lb | Portland State Portland State University Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in... |
| 7 | 214 | Chris Denman Chris Denman Chris Denman is an American football offensive lineman who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
OT | 6 ft 6 in | 315 lb | Fresno State |
| 7 | 245 | Marcus Hamilton Marcus Hamilton (American football) Marcus Christopher David Hamilton is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
CB Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... |
5 ft 11 in | 192 lb | Virginia University of Virginia The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson... |
| 7 | 246 | Kenneth Darby Kenneth Darby Kenneth Darby is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Darby has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Alabama.-Early... |
RB Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
5 ft 10 in | 215 lb | Alabama University of Alabama The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States.... |
Preseason
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports ComplexDisney's Wide World of Sports Complex
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a athletic complex located in the Walt Disney World Resort. The complex includes 9 venues and hosts numerous amateur and professional sporting events throughout the year....
from July 26 through August 16. They played four preseason games
National Football League exhibition season
The National Football League preseason refers to the period each year during which NFL teams play several not-for-the-record exhibition games before the actual "championship" or "regular" season starts. Beginning with the featured Pro Football Hall of Fame game in early August, five weekends of...
.
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||
| 1 | August 10, 2007 | 7:30 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
New England Patriots 2007 New England Patriots season The 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall. They finished with a perfect 16–0 regular season record but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.... |
W 13-10 | 1-0 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
| 2 | August 18, 2007 | 7:30 p.m. EDT | at Jacksonville Jaguars 2007 Jacksonville Jaguars season -Final roster:-Schedule:The Jacksonville Jaguars pre-season schedule was announced on April 11, 2007.-Schedule:-Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans:-Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons:-Week 3: at Denver Broncos:-Week 5: at Kansas City Chiefs:... |
L 31-19 | 1-1 | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium |
| 3 | August 18, 2007 | 7:30 p.m. EDT | at Miami Dolphins 2007 Miami Dolphins season The 2007 Miami Dolphins season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 42nd season overall. The team nearly went winless for the season, but on December 16, the third to last game of the regular season, they beat the Baltimore Ravens, giving them a final record of 1–15... |
W 31-28 | 2-1 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
| 4 | August 30, 2007 | 8:00 p.m. EDT | Houston Texans 2007 Houston Texans season The 2007 Houston Texans season began with the team trying to improve on their 6–10 record in 2006. This season marks the sixth year of existence for the Texans franchise as well as Reliant Stadium.-Offseason:... |
W 31-24 | 3-1 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
Notes
- On August 9, 2007, fullback Mike AlstottMike AlstottMichael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
was placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury, ending his 2007 season. - On August 30, 2007, with three minutes left in preseason, during the final touchdown against the TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, wide receiver Paris WarrenParis WarrenParis Jazz Warren is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
suffered a severe injury to his leg, and he was placed on injured reserve. - Prior to the beginning of the regular season, the Buccaneers made their final cuts. Among others, notable players included DT Ellis WymsEllis WymsEllis Rashad Wyms is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, a starter last season, and CB Alan ZemaitisAlan ZemaitisAlan Zemaitis is a professional American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
a 2005 Fourth Round Draft pick.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Stadium | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | ||||||
| 1 | September 9, 2007 | 4:15 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
at Seattle Seahawks 2007 Seattle Seahawks season The 2007 Seattle Seahawks season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Football League. The team has improved upon its 9-7 record in 2006 and secured its fourth consecutive NFC West division title and its fifth consecutive playoff appearance... |
L 20-6 | 0–1 | Qwest Field Qwest Field CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer... |
|
| 2 | September 16, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | New Orleans Saints 2007 New Orleans Saints season -Game summary:The 2007 New Orleans Saints began their regular season in the annual Thursday night Kickoff game against the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Super Bowl XLI MVP Peyton Manning completed a 27-yard TD pass to WR Marvin... |
W 31–14 | 1–1 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| 3 | September 23, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | St. Louis Rams 2007 St. Louis Rams season The 2007 St. Louis Rams season was the 70th season for the team in the National Football League and their 13th in St. Louis, Missouri. This was the worst season for the Rams during their time in St. Louis up to this year, and their worst overall since 1991, when the Rams were in Los Angeles,... |
W 24–3 | 2–1 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| 4 | September 30, 2007 | 4:05 p.m. EDT | at Carolina Panthers 2007 Carolina Panthers season The 2007 Carolina Panthers season was the 13th season for the team in the National Football League. They failed to improve upon their 8–8 record in 2006, finishing 7–9.-Staff:-Roster:-Preseason:-Regular season:-Week 1: at St. Louis Rams:... |
W 20–7 | 3–1 | Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East... |
|
| 5 | October 7, 2007 | 4:05 p.m. EDT | at Indianapolis Colts 2007 Indianapolis Colts season The 2007 Indianapolis Colts season was the 55th season for the team in the National Football League and 24th in Indianapolis. The 2007 Indianapolis Colts improved upon their 12–4 record from 2006 as well as winning their 5th straight AFC South Championship. They finished the season 13–3 and lost to... |
L 33-14 | 3-2 | RCA Dome RCA Dome RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons .... |
|
| 6 | October 14, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | Tennessee Titans 2007 Tennessee Titans season The 2007 Tennessee Titans season was the 48th season for the team in the National Football League, and their eleventh in Tennessee. They entered the season in an attempt to improve on their 8–8 record from 2006, along with attempting to make the playoffs for the first time since... |
W 13–10 | 4–2 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| 7 | October 21, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at Detroit Lions 2007 Detroit Lions season The 2007 Detroit Lions season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League. After starting the 2007 season with a 6-2 record, the Lions lost 7 of their last 8 games. They finished with a 7-9 record for their seventh consecutive losing season... |
L 23–16 | 4–3 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... |
|
| 8 | October 28, 2007 | 4:05 p.m. EDT | Jacksonville Jaguars 2007 Jacksonville Jaguars season -Final roster:-Schedule:The Jacksonville Jaguars pre-season schedule was announced on April 11, 2007.-Schedule:-Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans:-Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons:-Week 3: at Denver Broncos:-Week 5: at Kansas City Chiefs:... |
L 24-23 | 4-4 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| 9 | November 4, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EST North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
Arizona Cardinals 2007 Arizona Cardinals season The 2007 Arizona Cardinals season was the 88th season for the team in the National Football League, and their 20th season in Arizona. They improved upon their 5–11 record in 2006 after finishing last place in the NFC West, by finishing 8–8, but the failure of the Cardinals to qualify for the Super... |
W 17–10 | 5–4 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| 10 | Bye | ||||||
| 11 | November 18, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EST | at Atlanta Falcons | W 31-7 | 6-4 | Georgia Dome Georgia Dome The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the... |
|
| 12 | November 25, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Washington Redskins 2007 Washington Redskins season The 2007 Washington Redskins season was the team's 75th season, and saw the team achieve a record of 9-7 and a playoff appearance. This was an improvement over the 2006 season in which they went 5-11 and finished last in the NFC East.... |
W 19-13 | 7–4 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| 13 | December 2, 2007 | 4:15 p.m. EST | at New Orleans Saints | W 27–23 | 8–4 | Louisiana Superdome Louisiana Superdome The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA... |
|
| 14 | December 9, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EST | at Houston Texans 2007 Houston Texans season The 2007 Houston Texans season began with the team trying to improve on their 6–10 record in 2006. This season marks the sixth year of existence for the Texans franchise as well as Reliant Stadium.-Offseason:... |
L 28-14 | 8-5 | Reliant Stadium Reliant Stadium Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface.... |
|
| 15 | December 16, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Atlanta Falcons | W 37-3 | 9-5 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| 16 | December 23, 2007 | 4:05 p.m. EST | at San Francisco 49ers 2007 San Francisco 49ers season Game summaryComing off a fierce divisional road win over the Rams, the 49ers flew to Heinz Field for an interconference duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 32-yard field goal. The Steelers would immediately respond with... |
L 21-19 | 9-6 | Bill Walsh Field at Monster Park Monster Park Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000... |
|
| 17 | December 30, 2007 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Carolina Panthers | L 31-23 | 9-7 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
| Postseason | |||||||
| Wild Card | January 6, 2008 | 1:00 p.m. EST North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 24-14 | 9-8 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
|
Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks
The Buccaneers began their 2007 campaign on the road against their fellow 1976 expansion1976 NFL season
The 1976 NFL season was the 57th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 28 teams with the addition of the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
mate, the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. In the first quarter, kicker Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
provided two field goals for Tampa Bay (a 38-yarder and a 32-yarder) to begin the game. In the second quarter, the Seahawks took the lead with kicker Josh Brown getting a 28-yard field goal, while RB Shaun Alexander
Shaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...
got a 1-yard TD run. During a scoreless third quarter, injuries sidelined Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams (ribs) and quarterback Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
(head). Garcia, however, would return to the game. Seattle would wrap up the win with Brown kicking a 46-yard field goal, while QB Matt Hasselbeck
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and...
completed a 34-yard TD pass to RB Maurice Morris
Maurice Morris
Maurice Autora Morris is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon.-Early life:Morris attended Chester High School in Chester, South...
.
With the loss, the Buccaneers began their season at 0-1, their third opening day defeat in the past four seasons.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 9:00 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 38 yard FG |
TB 3-0 |
| 1 | TB | 0:03 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 32 yard FG |
TB 6-0 |
| 2 | SEA | 2:42 | Brown 28 yard FG | TB 6-3 |
| 2 | SEA | 0:58 | Alexander Shaun Alexander Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and... 1 yard TD run (Brown kick) |
SEA 10-6 |
| 4 | SEA | 14:14 | Brown 46 yard FG | SEA 13-6 |
| 4 | SEA | 8:01 | 34 yard TD pass from Hasselbeck Matt Hasselbeck Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and... to Morris Maurice Morris Maurice Autora Morris is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon.-Early life:Morris attended Chester High School in Chester, South... (Brown kick) |
SEA 20-6 |
Week 2: vs New Orleans Saints
The Buccaneers played their home opener against the 20062006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
champion New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. After scoring only 6 points the week before, the Buccaneers dominated the Saints, on offense and defense, at one point taking a 28-0 lead. Early in the first quarter, Barrett Ruud
Barrett Ruud
Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
recovered a Deuce McAllister
Deuce McAllister
Dulymus Jenod "Deuce" McAllister is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
fumble, which set up a Tampa Bay scoring drive. Carnell Williams
Carnell Williams
Carnell Lamar "Cadillac" Williams is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, who was back in the lineup after injuring his ribs the week before, capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Early in the second quarter, Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
scored on a 69-yard catch and run from quarterback Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
. Inside the two-minute warning, Garcia and Galloway scored again, this time with a 24-yard touchdown, to take a 21-0 halftime lead. Halfway through the third quarter, Cato June
Cato June
Cato Nnamdi June is a free agent American football linebacker who most recently played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. A 2006 Pro Bowl choice, June was a...
intercepted a pass from Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
. Two plays later, Garcia and Galloway connected for yet another big play, a 41-yard completion to the New Orleans 9 yard line. Williams capped off the drive with his second 1-yard touchdown. New Orleans' first score finally came with a 1-yard touchdown run by Mike Karney
Mike Karney
Michael John Mario Karney is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, aided by a 58-yard catch by Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
moments earlier. The Buccaneers improved to 1-1, into a tie for the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
lead. New Orleans fell to 0-2.
Following the game, with 16 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles, middle linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Barrett Ruud
Barrett Ruud
Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday September 19.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 5:30 | Williams 1-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 7-0 |
| 2 | TB | 13:23 | 69-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Galloway Joey Galloway Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 14-0 |
| 2 | TB | 1:12 | 24-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Galloway Joey Galloway Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 21-0 |
| 3 | TB | 4:32 | Williams 1-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 28-0 |
| 3 | NO | 5:55 | Karney Mike Karney Michael John Mario Karney is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... 1-yard TD run (Mare Olindo Mare Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996... kick) |
TB 28-7 |
| 4 | TB | 7:35 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 27-yard FG |
TB 31-7 |
| 4 | NO | 2:56 | 4-yard TD pass from Brees Drew Brees Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.... to Colston Marques Colston Marques Colston is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft as a supplemental compensatory pick. Following the trade of receiver Donté Stallworth, Colston was inserted into the starting lineup for week 1 of... (Mare Olindo Mare Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996... kick) |
TB 31-14 |
Week 3: vs St. Louis Rams
The Buccaneers and St. Louis RamsSt. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
renewed a rivalry that was popular from 1999
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
–2004
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
. The early part of the game was a field position battle, with Rams running back Steven Jackson
Steven Jackson
Steven Rashad Jackson is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams 24th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State University....
rushing effectively in the first half. All of St. Louis' first half drives, however, came up empty on the scoreboard. Tampa Bay's first quarter drivers were also scoreless, with kicker Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
missing a 54-yard field goal short after slipping in the damp grass. Just before the two-minute warning, Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins
Jeff Wilkins
For the American basketball player, see Jeff Wilkins .Jeffrey Allen Wilkins nicknamed "Money" is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and St Louis Rams. He played college football at Youngstown State University...
missed a 42-yard field goal, setting up Tampa Bay's first score. After driving to the 17 yard line, a heavy downpour drenched the stadium. Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
connected on 27-yard field goal for the game's first points and concluded the first half. Tampa Bay received the second half kickoff, and rolled into the endzone with a 7-yard touchdown run by Carnell Williams. St. Louis drove to the Tampa Bay 10 yard line, aided by two uncharactaristic defensive penalties by Derrick Brooks
Derrick Brooks
Derrick Dewan Brooks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers 28th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
(late hit) and Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
(taunting). The threat was moot, however, as Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
intercepted Marc Bulger
Marc Bulger
Marc Robert Bulger [] is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
in the endzone. In the fourth quarter, Carnell Williams
Carnell Williams
Carnell Lamar "Cadillac" Williams is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, aggravated his sore ribs, and fumbled the ball while Oshiomogho Atogwe
Oshiomogho Atogwe
Oshiomogho Isaac "O.J." Atogwe is a Canadian safety of American football for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stanford.-Early years:He attended high school at W.F....
recovered for St. Louis. The Rams finally got on the scoreboard with a 25-yard field goal, narrowing the lead to 10-3 with 12 minutes to play. Back up running back Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
took over for Williams, and iced the game with two rushing touchdowns, the first of his career outside of the preseason
National Football League exhibition season
The National Football League preseason refers to the period each year during which NFL teams play several not-for-the-record exhibition games before the actual "championship" or "regular" season starts. Beginning with the featured Pro Football Hall of Fame game in early August, five weekends of...
.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 2 | TB | 0:03 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 34-yard FG |
TB 3-0 |
| 3 | TB | 10:41 | Williams 7-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 10-0 |
| 4 | StL | 11:31 | Wilkins Jeff Wilkins For the American basketball player, see Jeff Wilkins .Jeffrey Allen Wilkins nicknamed "Money" is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and St Louis Rams. He played college football at Youngstown State University... 32-yard FG |
TB 10-3 |
| 4 | TB | 7:56 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 8-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 17-3 |
| 4 | TB | 5:00 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 28-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 24-3 |
Week 4: at Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers and PanthersCarolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
met for the first time this season, with first place in the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
on the line. Carolina starting quarterback Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme
Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
sat out the game with an elbow injury, and was replaced by David Carr
David Carr
David Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
. The Buccaneer offense started the game with an exhausting, 11-play, 71-yard drive, capped off by a 3-yard scramble by Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
for a touchdown. With 3 minutes left in the first quarter, running back Carnell Williams blasted down the field for an 18-yard run, but his right leg buckled, seriously injuring his knee. As he was being carted off the field, nearly the entire Buccaneers team, along with several Panthers players, huddled around Williams in support. After the injury timeout, Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
salvaged the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Tampa Bay extended their halftime lead to 17-0 after a Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
field goal, meanwhile, Carolina's offense was sputtering, blasted by the Buccaneers defense, who sacked Carr three times, and intercepeted him once. Carr completed only 19 of 41 pass attempts, and Carolina was facing their first shutout in five seasons. With 23 seconds left in regulation, Carolina finally got on the board with a touchdown pass to DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Williams was drafted by the Panthers 27th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
. An onside kick was unsuccessful, and the Buccaneers won their third straight game.
Through four games, the Buccaneers have not given up any points in the first quarter, and quarterback Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
has not yet thrown a single interception. After the game, the Buccaneers announced that running back Carnell Williams (torn patellar ligament
Patellar ligament
The patellar ligament is the central portion of the common tendon of the Quadriceps femoris, which is continued from the patella to the tuberosity of the tibia.-Anatomy:It is a strong, flat, ligament, about 10 cm...
) and left tackle Luke Petitgout (torn ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament can be a debilitating musculoskeletal injury to the knee, seen most often in athletes. Non-contact tears and ruptures are the most common causes of ACL injury....
) would both face season-ending surgery. On Wednesday October 3, linebacker Barrett Ruud
Barrett Ruud
Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
was named the NFC Defensive Player of Month for September with a league-leading 51 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 8:43 | Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... 3-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 7-0 |
| 1 | TB | 0:48 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 1-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 14-0 |
| 2 | TB | 6:41 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 25-yard FG |
TB 17-0 |
| 4 | TB | 10:21 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 38-yard FG |
TB 20-0 |
| 4 | Car | 8:01 | 24-yard TD pass from Carr David Carr David Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... to Williams DeAngelo Williams DeAngelo Williams is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Williams was drafted by the Panthers 27th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft... (Kasay John Kasay John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia... kick) |
TB 20-7 |
Week 5: at Indianapolis Colts
The Buccaneers faced former head coach Tony DungyTony Dungy
Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy [DUN-jee] is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008...
for the second time. The previous meeting between the two teams in 2003
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
saw the Colts erase a 21-point deficit in the final four minutes to win the game in overtime. Both teams entered the game with players sidelined by injuries. Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison
Marvin Daniel Harrison is a former American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse...
and Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai, Jr. is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.-Early years:Addai's family hails from Ghana in West Africa...
sat out for Indianapolis, while Carnell Williams
Carnell Williams
Carnell Lamar "Cadillac" Williams is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
and Luke Petitgout were placed on injured reserve for Tampa Bay.
The Colts controlled the tempo of most of the game, with a time of possession of over 38 minutes and 400 yards of offense. The Buccaneers were held to only 177 total yards and only 17 yards rushing. The first three Buccaneers possessions were 3-and-outs. Meanwhile, Indianapolis pulled out to a 13-0 lead. In the second quarter, Tanard Jackson
Tanard Jackson
Tanard Ricardo Jackson is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
intercepted Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
and set up the Buccaneers' first scoring drive. During the drive, running back Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....
left the game with an injured ankle. Two plays later Tampa Bay got on the board with a Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
touchdown pass to Alex Smith
Alex Smith (tight end)
Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith , is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, and narrowed the score to 13-7.
In the second half, Indianapolis continued to dominate both sides of the ball, and stretched their lead to 30-7. Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
and Smith
Alex Smith (tight end)
Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith , is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
connected for a second touchdown pass with just over 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and made the score 30-14. Hoping to spark a comeback, Tampa Bay attempted a surprise onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
, but it was called back by a penalty. Indianapolis then took the re-kick, and put three more points on the board with an Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
field goal. Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Raymond Gradkowski is an American Football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Toledo.Gradkowski has previously been a member of the Tampa...
took over as quarterback for Tampa Bay, and subsequently threw an interception to seal the victory for the Colts.
The following day, on Monday October 8, the Buccaneers announced that Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....
would miss 6–8 weeks with a cracked fibula.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | Ind | 10:19 | 10-yard TD pass from Manning Peyton Manning Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the... to Clark Dallas Clark Dallas Dean Clark is an American football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts 24th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Iowa... (Vanatieri Adam Vinatieri Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,... kick) |
Ind 7-0 |
| 2 | Ind | 14:53 | Keith Kenton Keith Kenton Jermaine Keith is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an undrafted free agent in 2003... 1-yard TD run (kick blocked) |
Ind 13-0 |
| 2 | TB | 6:43 | 3-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Smith Alex Smith (tight end) Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith , is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
Ind 13-7 |
| 2 | Ind | 0:00 | Vanatieri Adam Vinatieri Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,... 27-yard FG |
Ind 16-7 |
| 3 | Ind | 7:23 | Keith Kenton Keith Kenton Jermaine Keith is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an undrafted free agent in 2003... 7-yard TD run (kick blocked) |
Ind 23-7 |
| 4 | Ind | 14:57 | 9-yard TD pass from Manning Peyton Manning Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the... to Wayne Reggie Wayne Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts... (Vanatieri Adam Vinatieri Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,... kick) |
Ind 30-7 |
| 4 | TB | 9:21 | 3-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Smith Alex Smith (tight end) Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith , is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
Ind 30-14 |
| 4 | Ind | 2:53 | Vanatieri Adam Vinatieri Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,... 35-yard FG |
Ind 33-14 |
Week 6: vs Tennessee Titans
The Buccaneers hosted the TitansTennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
at Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...
, their second inter-conference matchup in two weeks. Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
was a part of the starting lineup for the first time in his career, replacing the injured Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....
, who sat out the game.
The first half was a defensive struggle, with neither team scoring in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Tennessee drove to the Buccaneers 32 yard line, but quarterback Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
fumbled the ball and the Buccaneers recovered. Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
connected on a 39-yard pass play to Michael Clayton, to help set up a 23-yard Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
field goal, the first points of the game. Moments later, Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
intercepted Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
with 1:29 remaining in the half, to maintain a 3-0 halftime lead.
Tennessee took the second half kickoff, and executed a 12-play, 45-yard drive which resulted in a 48-yard field goal by Rob Bironas
Rob Bironas
James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro...
. On their next possession, Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
ran out of bounds, and suffered a strained quad. He would have to leave the game, and was replaced by Kerry Collins
Kerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...
. On Tampa Bay's next drive, Garcia connected with Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
for a 69-yard touchdown catch. On the ensuing drive Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
intercepted a pass by Kerry Collins
Kerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...
, but it ruled incomplete after review.
With less than four minutes remaining in regulation, Collins drove the Titans to the Buccaneers 23 yard line. For the second time, Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
intercepted Collins, this time in the endzone, but it was again ruled incomplete after review. The drive continued, and with 1:24 remaining, LenDale White
LenDale White
LenDale Anthony White is an American football running back. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California....
tied the game 10-10 with a touchdown run. With only one timeout, Garcia drove the Buccaneers 55 yards on seven plays. With 11 seconds remaining, Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
kicked a game-winning 43-yard field goal.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 2 | TB | 6:07 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 23-yard FG |
TB 3-0 |
| 3 | TEN | 7:52 | Bironas Rob Bironas James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro... 48-yard FG |
3-3 |
| 3 | TB | 2:29 | 69-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Galloway Joey Galloway Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 10-3 |
| 4 | TEN | 1:17 | White LenDale White LenDale Anthony White is an American football running back. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.... 2-yard TD run (Bironas Rob Bironas James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro... kick) |
10-10 |
| 4 | TB | 0:11 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 43-yard FG |
TB 13-10 |
Week 7: at Detroit Lions
The Tampa Bay racked up 422 yards of offense against Detroit, and quarterback Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
passed for 316 yards, but two costly fumbles and one blocked punt allowed the Lions to take the victory.
In the first quarter, Tampa Bay and Detroit began what would be a physical game. Tampa Bay suffered injuries to Mark Jones (knee) and Michael Clayton (ankle), and neither would return. On the sixth play of the game, Detroit forced a fumble for a loss of 23 yards. However, an instant replay ruled the play an incomplete pass instead. Moments later, the Lions blocked a punt by Josh Bidwell
Josh Bidwell
Joshua John Bidwell is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
, and the turnover led to a field goal. On the next drive, the Buccaneers drove 43 yards to the Lions 37 yard line, but a fumble between the exchange from Garcia to Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
was recovered by the Lions. Detroit moved quickly down the field and Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones (American football)
Kevin S. Jones is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions 30th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
scored the first touchdown of the game.
Early in the second quarter, Garcia capped off an 81-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard
Ike Hilliard
Isaac Jason "Ike" Hilliard is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver for twelve seasons in the National Football League during the 1990s and 2000s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for...
. Their next possession, a 16-play, 58-yard drive, covered over 9 minutes. It came up empty, as Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
missed a field goal. Detroit moved quickly to score a field goal just before halftime.
Late in the third quarter, and early in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay started another long drive. A 15-play, 73-yard drive of over 7 minutes drove the Buccaneers to the Detroit 1 yard line. Tampa Bay had converted on two third downs, and one fourth down. But Garcia fumbled the handoff on a first and goal at the 1 yard line, and Detroit recovered. They would drive 93 yard for their second touchdown.
Trailing by 16, Tampa Bay drove 78 yards in 16 plays, and Maurice Stovall caught Garcia's second touchdown pass. A two-point coversion failed, but Bryant performed and onside kick, which Tampa Bay recovered. The Buccaneers managed to trim the deficit to 7, but a second onside kick failed, and Detroit took the victory.>
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
34-yard FG
Kevin Jones (American football)
Kevin S. Jones is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions 30th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
1-yard TD run (Hanson
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
kick)
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
to Hilliard
Ike Hilliard
Isaac Jason "Ike" Hilliard is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver for twelve seasons in the National Football League during the 1990s and 2000s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for...
(Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
kick)
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
42-yard FG
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
32-yard FG
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
34-yard TD run (Hanson
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
kick)
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
to Stovall
Maurice Stovall
Maurice Aurilius Stovall is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-Early years:Stovall grew up in Philadelphia and went...
(pass failed)
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
48-yard FG
Week 8: vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for the fourth time in the regular season. Injured Jacksonville starting quarterback David Garrard
David Garrard
David Douglas Garrard is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent.Garrard played college football at East Carolina. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and served as the team's starting quarterback from 2007 to 2010...
was replaced by Quinn Gray
Quinn Gray
Quinn F. Gray, Sr. is a former American football quarterback who played for four seasons in the National Football League and one season each in the United Football League and NFL Europe. He played for the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2003, the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2005–2007, the Kansas City...
, while Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
hoped to extend on a 217-consecutive passing streak without an interception.
In the first half, Jacksonville's running attack of Fred Taylor, LaBrandon Toefield
LaBrandon Toefield
LaBrandon Cordell Toefield is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
and Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew is a professional American football player who currently plays running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
rushed 15 times in their first 16 plays from scrimmage, and eventually set up a 10-3 lead. In the second quarter, Garcia threw his first interception of the season, which was returned for a Jacksonville score. Tampa Bay quickly responded, however, driving 81 yards in three plays, capped off with Garcia and Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
connecting for a 58-yard touchdown.
A momentum shift appeared to occur near the end of the second quarter, as Tampa Bay forced Jacksonville into a 3-and-out. Inside the two-minute warning, Garcia drove the Buccaneers to the 4 yard line. Garcia scrambled on 3rd & 10, colliding with Reggie Nelson
Reggie Nelson
Reggie Nelson is an American professional football player who is a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League...
, losing his helmet, but fell one yard short of the first down. Tampa Bay settled for a Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
field goal, and a 13-17 halftime deficit.
Tampa Bay's defense dominated the third quarter, forcing Jacksonville a turnover on downs, a fumble in the endzone (recovered by Gray on the 1 yard line), and a blocked punt. The good field position led to Michael Bennett's first touchdown as a Buccaneer.
The fourth quarter saw Jacksonville re-take the lead with an 8-yard touchdown pass. Despite two late drives starting with decent field position, Tampa Bay's effort died when Garcia's pass was deflected and intercepted with 19 seconds remaining, his third pick of the game. The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 4-4, second place in the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 7:26 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 44-yard FG |
TB 3-0 |
| 1 | Jax | 1:31 | Toefield LaBrandon Toefield LaBrandon Cordell Toefield is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... 1-yard TD run (Carney kick) |
Jax 7-3 |
| 2 | Jax | 7:25 | Carney 41-yard FG | Jax 10-3 |
| 2 | Jax | 7:09 | Glenn Aaron Glenn Aaron DeVon Glenn is a retired American football cornerback. He last played for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League, although he joined the Houston Texans prior to retirement so he could retire with his former team. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the first... 28-yard interception return (Carney kick) |
Jax 17-3 |
| 2 | TB | 5:45 | 58-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Galloway Joey Galloway Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
Jax 17-10 |
| 2 | TB | 0:15 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 22-yard FG |
Jax 17-13 |
| 3 | TB | 3:19 | Bennett 19-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 20-17 |
| 3 | TB | 0:05 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 42-yard FG |
TB 23-17 |
| 4 | Jax | 11:37 | 8-yard TD pass from Gray Quinn Gray Quinn F. Gray, Sr. is a former American football quarterback who played for four seasons in the National Football League and one season each in the United Football League and NFL Europe. He played for the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2003, the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2005–2007, the Kansas City... to Jones Matt Jones (American football) Matthew Jones is a former American football wide receiver . He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and retired officially in November 2010. He played college football at Arkansas.... (Carney kick) |
Jax 24-23 |
Week 9: vs Arizona Cardinals
The Buccaneers beat the visiting Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, snapping a two-game losing streak, and regained first place in the NFC South. Tampa Bay dominated the game, maintaining a time of possession of over 43 minutes with running back Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
rushing for 124 yards and one touchdown. Tampa Bay's defense held Arizona to only 23 yards rushing, and held them to 2 of 10 third down conversions.
In the first quarter, Arizona quickly drove down the field, connecting on a 47-yard pass from Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
to Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. The drive stalled, however, and they settled for 43-yard Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
field goal. Tampa bay answered on the ensuing drive. On 3rd and 1, from the 42 yard line, Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
fell, but avoided a sack, and scrambled for a first down. Two plays later he scored a 37-yard touchdown pass to Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
.
On the first play of the second quarter, Tanard Jackson
Tanard Jackson
Tanard Ricardo Jackson is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
intercepted Warner's pass, and Arizona was penalized 15 yards for a facemask, setting up the Buccaneers on the Arizona 27 yard line. Tampa Bay suffered two false start penalties, and settled for a field goal and took a 10-3 lead into halftime.
Tampa Bay took the second half kickoff and drove 64 yards in ten plays. The drive was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
. Late in the third quarter, the Buccaneers started a 19-play, 86-yard drive, lasting nearly 9 minutes. At the 8 yard line, Garcia threw to Alex Smith
Alex Smith (tight end)
Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith , is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
but the pass was incomplete in the endzone. The drive came up empty when Matt Bryant missed a 26-yard field goal. Arizona quickly drove down the field and scored a touchdown by Edgerrin James
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami....
, narrowing the margin to 17-10.
With 2:43 remaining in the game, Tampa Bay punted to Arizona. Maurice Stovall
Maurice Stovall
Maurice Aurilius Stovall is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-Early years:Stovall grew up in Philadelphia and went...
de-cleated receiver Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
at the Arizona 16 yard line, preventing a return. On the very next play, Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips is an American football safety who currently plays for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
intercepted Warner's pass, sealing the victory for Tampa Bay.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | Arz | 12:17 | Rackers Neil Rackers Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft... 47-yard FG |
Arz 3-0 |
| 1 | TB | 5:56 | 37-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Galloway Joey Galloway Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 7-3 |
| 2 | TB | 13:37 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 32-yard FG |
TB 10-3 |
| 3 | TB | 10:33 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 2-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 17-3 |
| 4 | Arz | 7:30 | James Edgerrin James Edgerrin Tyree James is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.... 3-yard TD run (Rackers Neil Rackers Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft... kick) |
TB 17-10 |
Week 10: Bye week
The Buccaneers had their scheduled bye the weekend of November 11. In week 10 action, AtlantaAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
defeated Carolina
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, and St. Louis
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
upset New Orleans
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, giving Tampa Bay sole possession of first place in the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
.
Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay faced their heated division rival for the first time this season, at the Georgia DomeGeorgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
. Tampa Bay dominated, and enjoyed the return of Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....
from injury. Atlanta started quarterback Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich
Byron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
. Atlanta suffered four turnovers, and 11 penalties for 105 yards in the loss.
In the first quarter, both teams traded punts on their opening drive. On Tampa Bay's second drive, Pittman caught an 11-yard pass but fumbled and it was recovered by Keith Brooking
Keith Brooking
Keith Howard Brooking is a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech...
. An instant replay challenge upheld the ruling on the field. On the very next play, Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich
Byron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
was hit as he released the ball, and it was intercepted by Barrett Ruud
Barrett Ruud
Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
, who returned the ball to the 28 yard line. Tampa Bay drove 72 yards in three plays, as Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
caught a 44-yard touchdown.
In the second quarter, Leftwich was sacked from behind and fumbled the ball. Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
picked up the ball, and ran 41 yards for Tampa Bay's second touchdown. On Atlanta's next drive, Warrick Dunn
Warrick Dunn
Warrick De'Mon Dunn is a former American football running back, and current minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Florida State...
fumbled at the 45 yard line. Atlanta challenged the ruling, and the call on the field was overturned and ruled an incomplete pass. The following play, Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
fumbled, and Brian Kelly recovered for Tampa Bay. He lateraled to Cato June
Cato June
Cato Nnamdi June is a free agent American football linebacker who most recently played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. A 2006 Pro Bowl choice, June was a...
, who then lost the ball. Despite an instant replay challenge by Tampa Bay, the ruling on the field was upheld. Atlanta, however, was unable to move down the field, and Tampa Bay took a 14-0 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Tampa Bay added a field goal, then Gaines Adams
Gaines Adams
Gaines Adams was an American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round in the 2007 NFL Draft and in 2009 was traded to the Chicago Bears...
chopped Leftwich's arm as he threw and his floating pass was intercepted by Chris Hovan
Chris Hovan
Christopher James Hovan is an American football defensive tackle for the Virginia Destroyers. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College....
(later in the week NFL officials revised the play to a sack & fumble recovery). Tampa Bay quickly scored another touchdown catch by Alex Smith. In the fourth quarter, Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
took over the offense for Tampa Bay, rushing 102 yards total, and a touchdown score. Atlanta avoided the shutout, replacing Leftwich with Joey Harrington
Joey Harrington
John Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...
, and scored a touchdown with 1:10 to go.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 7:43 | 44-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Galloway Joey Galloway Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 7-0 |
| 2 | TB | 10:42 | Barber Ronde Barber Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... 41-yard fumble recovery (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 14-0 |
| 3 | TB | 13:37 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 23-yard FG |
TB 17-0 |
| 3 | TB | 4:51 | 21-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Smith Alex Smith (tight end) Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith , is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 24-0 |
| 4 | TB | 10:33 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 26-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 31-0 |
| 4 | Atl | 1:10 | 7-yard TD pass from Harrington Joey Harrington John Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986... to Jennings (Andersen Morten Andersen Morten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and... kick) |
TB 31-7 |
Week 12: vs. Washington Redskins
Tampa Bay hosted WashingtonWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
for the third time in three seasons during the month of November. Tampa Bay's defense dominated a good part of the game, forcing six turnovers, and despite quarterback Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
sitting out most of the game, the Buccaneers held on for a 19-13 victory.
On the game's first play, Garcia tried to scramble, but injured his back upon being tackled by Cornelius Griffin
Cornelius Griffin
-Washington Redskins:Griffin was signed by the Giants' NFC East-rival Washington Redskins as an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 2004, during the 2004 offseason.Griffin had his best season in 2004, recording 96 tackles and six sacks...
. He would last only two more plays, and was replaced by Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Raymond Gradkowski is an American Football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Toledo.Gradkowski has previously been a member of the Tampa...
until early in the 4th quarter. Garcia's injury seemingly galvanized the Tampa Bay defense, who went on to cause 4 turnovers in the first half. Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
forced a fumble off the Redskins' first pass which was recovered by Tanard Jackson
Tanard Jackson
Tanard Ricardo Jackson is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
who advanced it 8 yards to the Washington 19. Three plays later, Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
scored a 1 yard touchdown run. On the third play of Washington's next drive, Greg White
Greg White
Stylez G. White is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
hit Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
hard, forcing a fumble which Jackson recovered at the 19 yard line. Tampa took a 10-0 lead after a Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
field goal.
Early in the second quarter, Greg White
Greg White
Stylez G. White is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
forced yet another fumble as he sacked Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
which Kevin Carter recovered. The turnover led to another field goal. Portis fumbled again on the following drive as he took a bone-jarring hit from Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips is an American football safety who currently plays for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
and Tampa Bay capitalized with a third field goal. Before the half, Washington managed to get on the board with a field goal, then Tampa Bay kicked a fourth field goal as the half expired to lead 19-3.
The second half saw Washington attempt a comeback. Despite injuring his hand, Campbell stayed in the game, and threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley. Meanwhile, Gradkowski stayed in at quarterback for Tampa Bay, and continued to perform poorly. Tampa Bay managed only 9 yards of offense in the third quarter, and 0 yards passing. The Redskins drove 66 yards in 13 plays and over nine minutes to the Tampa Bay 4 yard line. Tampa Bay's defense held on 4th and 1 at the 4, however, as linebacker Derrick Brooks
Derrick Brooks
Derrick Dewan Brooks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers 28th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
shed several blockers to down Portis for no gain.
Washington narrowed the score to 19-13 in the fourth quarter. With about 11 minutes to go, Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
returned to the game, hoping to spark Tampa Bay's offense, and hold on for the win. He was unable to do much against the Redskins' well-rested and fired up defense, however, and Tampa Bay ended up having to punt. Josh Bidwell
Josh Bidwell
Joshua John Bidwell is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
pinned the Redskins at their own 9 yard line, and Campbell drove them to the Tampa Bay 32 yard line. Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
stopped the threat when he intercepted the ball at the 28 yard line. With less than a minute to go, Campbell drove the Redskins to the Tampa Bay 16 yard line, but Brian Kelly intercepted the pass in the endzone with 17 seconds remaining, to clinch the victory for the Buccaneers.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 10:00 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 1-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 7-0 |
| 1 | TB | 6:27 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 35-yard FG |
TB 10-0 |
| 2 | TB | 12:28 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 27-yard FG |
TB 13-0 |
| 2 | TB | 10:13 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 48-yard FG |
TB 16-0 |
| 2 | WSH | 6:11 | Suisham Shaun Suisham Shaun Christopher Suisham is a Canadian placekicker of American football for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005... 43-yard FG |
TB 16-3 |
| 2 | TB | 0:00 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 39-yard FG |
TB 19-3 |
| 3 | WSH | 10:38 | Campbell Jason Campbell Jason Campbell is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft... to [Chris Cooley (American football)>Cooley]] (Suisham Shaun Suisham Shaun Christopher Suisham is a Canadian placekicker of American football for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005... kick) |
TB 19-10 |
| 4 | WSH | 11:19 | Suisham Shaun Suisham Shaun Christopher Suisham is a Canadian placekicker of American football for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005... 38-yard FG |
TB 19-13 |
Week 13: at New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay took on the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
for the second time this season, this time at the Superdome. Luke McCown
Luke McCown
Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League...
started at quarterback for the Buccaneers in place of the injured Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
. McCown would pass for 313 yards, and connectd on his first 15 consecutive passes of the game.
The Buccaneers scored the first points of the game with Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
's 27-yard field goal. New Orleans answered with WR Terrance Copper
Terrance Copper
Terrance Terrel Copper is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent...
catching a 4-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
. Late in the first quarter, McCown connected with Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
for a 60-yard catch which set Tampa Bay up on the 1 yard line.
Tampa Bay retook the lead early in the second quarter with TE Anthony Becht
Anthony Becht
Anthony G. Becht is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets 27th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia. He has Swedish relatives, brother Francis and nephew Carl and...
catching a 1-yard TD, and Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
making another field goal to increase the Tampa Bay lead to 13-7. New Orleans scored a touchdown just before halftime, a 45-yard pass to WR Devery Henderson
Devery Henderson
-New Orleans Saints:On November 5, 2006, Devery had his best day as a professional in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught 3 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Henderson had 158 receiving yards on 5 catches, including a 76 yard touchdown, against the Atlanta Falcons on November...
, to make it 13-14 at halftime.
In the second half, RB Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
scored a 25-yard touchdown run. New Orleans had to punt on their ensuing possession, but disaster struck with 3 minutes remaining in the third quarter as miscommunications between McCown and WR Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
led to a Saints interception which was returned for a touchdown.
Leading 21-20 with 4 minutes remaining in the game, Saints P Steve Weatherford
Steve Weatherford
Steven "Steve" Thomas Weatherford is an American football punter for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
made a successful coffin corner punt which pinned the Buccaneers at their own 2-yard line. Two plays later, DE Will Smith sacked McCown for a safety. After the safety kick, New Orleans looked to run the clock out and seal the victory. However, in an unexpected and perhaps season-altering mistake, Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
fumbled a double reverse intended for WR Devery Henderson
Devery Henderson
-New Orleans Saints:On November 5, 2006, Devery had his best day as a professional in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught 3 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Henderson had 158 receiving yards on 5 catches, including a 76 yard touchdown, against the Atlanta Falcons on November...
and Jovan Haye
Jovan Haye
Jovan Haye is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
recovered for Tampa Bay at the New Orleans 37-yard line. Three plays later, the Buccaneers found themselves in a predicament as they faced a 4th and 1 at the New Orleans 28. Instead of attempting a game-tying field goal, however, coach Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Jon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
went for it on fourth down, calling a run around right tackle which Graham converted for a first down. Three plays later, McCown found TE Jerramy Stevens
Jerramy Stevens
Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:...
for a 4-yard touchdown to win the game.
With the win, Tampa Bay improved to 8-4 and maintained a perfect division record. Tampa Bay only needed to win one game in the final four weeks to clinch the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
division crown.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 9:54 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 27-yard FG |
TB 3-0 |
| 1 | NO | 2:05 | 4-yard TD pass from Brees Drew Brees Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.... to Copper Terrance Copper Terrance Terrel Copper is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent... (Mare Olindo Mare Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996... kick) |
NO 7-3 |
| 2 | TB | 14:20 | 1-yard TD pass from McCown Luke McCown Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League... to Becht Anthony Becht Anthony G. Becht is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets 27th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia. He has Swedish relatives, brother Francis and nephew Carl and... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 10-7 |
| 2 | TB | 7:52 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 31-yard FG |
TB 13-7 |
| 2 | NO | 3:21 | 45-yard TD pass from Brees Drew Brees Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.... to Henderson Devery Henderson -New Orleans Saints:On November 5, 2006, Devery had his best day as a professional in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught 3 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Henderson had 158 receiving yards on 5 catches, including a 76 yard touchdown, against the Atlanta Falcons on November... (Mare Olindo Mare Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996... kick) |
NO 14-13 |
| 3 | TB | 9:36 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 25-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 20-14 |
| 3 | NO | 3:05 | McKenzie 53-yard interception return (Mare Olindo Mare Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996... kick) |
NO 21-20 |
| 4 | NO | 3:52 | McCown Luke McCown Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League... sacked by Smith for safety |
NO 23-20 |
| 4 | TB | 0:14 | 4-yard TD pass from McCown Luke McCown Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League... to Stevens Jerramy Stevens Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 27-23 |
Week 14: at Houston Texans
Tampa Bay faced the TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for only the second time in the regular season, and for the first time during the regular season at Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface....
. With a win, or losses by New Orleans
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
and Carolina
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, Tampa Bay would clinch the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
division title. Tampa Bay's postseason berth, however, would have to wait at least another night, as the Texans capitalized on a sluggish Buccaneers squad.
For the second week in a row, Luke McCown
Luke McCown
Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League...
started in place of injured Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
. Meanwhile, back-up quarterback Sage Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State before he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins from 2002–2005, the Houston Texans from...
led the Texans. Tampa Bay took the opening kickoff, and drove to the Houston 34 yard line. Coach Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Jon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
elected to go for it on 4th down and 2, but running back Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
was tackled for no gain. Houston took over on downs, and scored a quick and convincing touchdown pass. On the ensuing kickoff, Tampa Bay's Micheal Spurlock
Micheal Spurlock
Michael Curtis Spurlock is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
returned the ball 45 yards to the Houston 47. Even though the drive ended in a punt, the good field position helped pin the Texans deep on their next drive. Greg White
Greg White
Stylez G. White is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
sacked Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State before he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins from 2002–2005, the Houston Texans from...
and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jovan Haye
Jovan Haye
Jovan Haye is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
the Houston 25. Five plays later, Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
scored his first rushing touchdown to tie the score 7-7.
Later in the second quarter, Ike Hilliard
Ike Hilliard
Isaac Jason "Ike" Hilliard is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver for twelve seasons in the National Football League during the 1990s and 2000s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for...
caught a pass for a first down at the Houston 28, but Will Demps
Will Demps
William Henry Demps, Jr. is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at San Diego State....
hit Hillard in an apparent helmet-to-helmet and forced a fumble, but did not draw a penalty. Houston recovered, and soon scored a second touchdown to lead 14-7 at halftime.
Houston received the second half kickoff, which Andre Davis
André Davis
André N. Davis is a American football wide receiver and kick returner who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
returned 97 yards for a touchdown. Just over two minutes later, Tampa Bay responded with a 4-play, 69-yard drive, capped off by Graham's second rushing touchdown. Tampa Bay, however, would not score again.
Houston added another score early in the fourth quarter, and held on for a 28-14 victory. Tampa Bay fell to 8-5, but still controls their own destiny for the division championship and overall playoff picture. A single victory in the final three weeks will clinch the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
championship. In other week 14 action, Carolina
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
lost to Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, eliminating them from the division race, and New Orleans
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
defeated Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, keeping themselves mathematically alive for the division title.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | Hou | 3:59 | 4-yard TD pass from Rosenfels Sage Rosenfels Sage Rosenfels is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State before he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins from 2002–2005, the Houston Texans from... to Johnson Andre Johnson Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career... (Brown Kris Brown Kristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points... kick) |
Hou 7-0 |
| 2 | TB | 10:57 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 4-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
7-7 |
| 2 | Hou | 3:59 | 8-yard TD pass from Rosenfels Sage Rosenfels Sage Rosenfels is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State before he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins from 2002–2005, the Houston Texans from... to Walter Kevin Walter Kevin Patrick Walter is an American football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft... (Brown Kris Brown Kristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points... kick) |
Hou 14-7 |
| 3 | Hou | 14:46 | Davis André Davis André N. Davis is a American football wide receiver and kick returner who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft... 97-yard kickoff return (Brown Kris Brown Kristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points... kick) |
Hou 21-7 |
| 3 | TB | 12:38 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 11-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
Hou 21-14 |
| 4 | Hou | 14:56 | 4-yard TD pass from Rosenfels Sage Rosenfels Sage Rosenfels is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State before he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins from 2002–2005, the Houston Texans from... to Daniels Owen Daniels Owen Daniels is an American football tight end and emergency backup quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League... (Brown Kris Brown Kristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points... kick) |
Hou 28-14 |
Week 15: vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Buccaneers stayed home this week for a rematch against their division rivals the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. With the convincing victory, Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
division title, maintained a perfect 5-0 division record, and scored their first kickoff return touchdown in franchise history.
Tampa Bay's defense recorded the first points of the game, as Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
intercepted Chris Redman
Chris Redman
Chris James Redman is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Louisville.Redman earned a Super Bowl ring with the...
's pass on the third play of the game and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. Atlanta got on the board next with kicker Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and...
making a 33-yard field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Micheal Spurlock
Micheal Spurlock
Michael Curtis Spurlock is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
made team history by becoming the first Buccaneer player to return a kickoff for a touchdown. It was the first kickoff return touchdown for Tampa Bay in 32 seasons, 498 games, and 1,865 attempts.
After the Buccaneer defense forced a Falcons punt, Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
commandeered a long, clock-eating 10-minute drive ending in a 33-yard field goal by Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
to make the score 17-3. With just over five minutes remaining in the first half, Tampa bay recovered an Atlanta fumble, and Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
scored a 1-yard TD run. Graham became the first player in club history to score a touchdown in six consecutive games. With a 24-3 lead, Tampa Bay performed a pooch kickoff, and Atlanta muffed the return, while Kalvin Pearson
Kalvin Pearson
Kalvin Pearson is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
recovered. Tampa Bay drove to the 24 yard line, but DeAngelo Hall
DeAngelo Hall
DeAngelo Eugene Hall is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons eighth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
intercepted a pass intended for Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
at the Atlanta 11-yard line. The Buccaneers would immediately regain possession as Greg White
Greg White
Stylez G. White is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
forced and recovered a fumble on the next play. Matt Bryant then easily converted a 28-yard field goal to take a 27-3 lead into halftime.
Tampa Bay would receive the second half's opening kickoff, but was forced to punt after a 7-minute drive. On Atlanta's third play, Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips is an American football safety who currently plays for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
intercepted a pass intended for Jerious Norwood
Jerious Norwood
-2006:In 2006, Norwood played in 14 games and ranked third on the team with 633 rushing yards on 99 carries with two touchdowns to go along with 12 receptions for 102 yards. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 320 yards and tallied three special teams tackles.Norwood was the first player in NFL...
which set Tampa Bay up at the Atlanta 23-yard line. Matt Bryant then scored the half's first points with a 34-yard field goal to make the score 30-3. In the fourth quarter, punter Josh Bidwell
Josh Bidwell
Joshua John Bidwell is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
successfully pinned Atlanta at their own 6 yard line. The resulting poor field position eventually led to Tampa Bay taking over near midfield. Michael Bennett carried six times all the way to the Atlanta 1-yard line, from which Anthony Becht
Anthony Becht
Anthony G. Becht is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets 27th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia. He has Swedish relatives, brother Francis and nephew Carl and...
scored the game's final points off a 1-yard TD catch.
Statistically, Tampa Bay's defense dominated Atlanta. The Falcons managed only 133 yards of total offense, committed five turnovers, and were 0-for-9 on third down conversions. The Falcons crossed midfield only once, and Tampa Bay's time of possession was 43 minutes. On the following Wednesday, the kickoff return touchdown earned Spurlock the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 14:00 | Barber Ronde Barber Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... 29-yard interception return (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 7-0 |
| 1 | Atl | 6:32 | Andersen Morten Andersen Morten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and... 33-yard FG |
TB 7-3 |
| 1 | TB | 6:19 | Spurlock Micheal Spurlock Michael Curtis Spurlock is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006... 90-yard kickoff return (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 14-3 |
| 2 | TB | 11:24 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 33-yard FG |
TB 17-3 |
| 2 | TB | 4:09 | Graham Earnest Graham Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida.... 1-yard TD run (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 24-3 |
| 2 | TB | 0:00 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 28-yard FG |
TB 27-3 |
| 3 | TB | 4:08 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 34-yard FG |
TB 30-3 |
| 4 | TB | 7:42 | 1-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Becht Anthony Becht Anthony G. Becht is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets 27th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia. He has Swedish relatives, brother Francis and nephew Carl and... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 37-3 |
Week 16: at San Francisco 49ers
Tampa Bay traveled west to San FranciscoSan Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
for the third time in five seasons. Tampa Bay lost their eight consecutive meeting at Monster Park
Monster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
, dating to 1980. This game was originally scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on NBC's Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color...
, but on December 10, in accordance with flex-scheduling, the game was moved to the afternoon. Having already clinched a playoff berth, Tampa Bay rested most of their starters in the second half. Despite a late rally, the Buccaneers fell two points short of victory.
Tampa Bay controlled most of the first half, capping off their first two drives of the first quarter with field goals by Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
. On the first play of the second quarter, Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
connected with Darrell Jackson
Darrell Jackson
Darrell Lamont Jackson is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for nine seasons...
on a 21-yard touchdown.
San Francisco punted on their next drive, and Micheal Spurlock
Micheal Spurlock
Michael Curtis Spurlock is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
fielded the ball at the 19 yard line. He was tackled and fumbled, while the 49ers recovered. After an instant replay
Instant replay
Instant replay is the replaying of video footage of an event or incident very soon after it has occurred. In television broadcasting of sports events, instant replay is often used during live broadcast, to show a passage of play which was important or remarkable, or which was unclear on first...
challenge, it was determined that Spurlock was down by contact, and Tampa Bay maintained possession. The drive fizzled though, and ended with a punt. Late in the fourth quarter, Barrett Ruud
Barrett Ruud
Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
recovered a 49ers fumble, setting the Buccaneers up on the San Francisco 36 yard line. Four plays later, Jerramy Stevens
Jerramy Stevens
Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:...
caught a touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
. Tampa Bay took a 13-7 lead into halftime.
On the second-half kickoff, San Francisco recovered a surprise onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
. The drive came up empty, as they were forced to punt. On Tampa Bay's next possession, however, Luke McCown
Luke McCown
Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League...
(who had taken over for the benched Garcia) fumbled and the 49ers recovered at the 14 yard line. In four plays, San Francisco scored a touchdown.
Early in the fourth quarter, Nate Clements
Nate Clements
Nathan D. Clements is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft...
intercepted a McCown pass, and led to another 49ers touchdown. The 49ers led 21-13, but Tampa Bay still kept hopes alive for a rally. With less than six minutes left in the game, the Buccaneers drove to the 49ers 25 yard line. On 4th down and 6, McCown threw to Michael Clayton for an apparent one-handed touchdown catch, but the ball fell incomplete, and the drive turned over on downs. Tampa Bay managed one final chance to tie the score. Inside the two-minute warning, Tampa Bay drove to the 49ers 24 yard line. McCown rolled out wide to his right, and connected with Stevens for a 24-yard touchdown. McCown then attempted a game-tying two-point conversion. Michael Clayton caught the pass, but one of his feet touched out-of-bounds in the back of the endzone, sealing the game for San Francisco.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 8:09 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 34-yard FG |
TB 3-0 |
| 1 | TB | 2:36 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 22-yard FG |
TB 6-0 |
| 2 | SF | 14:56 | 21-yard TD pass from Hill Shaun Hill Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002... to Jackson Darrell Jackson Darrell Lamont Jackson is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for nine seasons... (Nedney Joe Nedney Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996... kick) |
SF 7-6 |
| 2 | TB | 3:49 | 24-yard TD pass from Garcia Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University.... to Stevens Jerramy Stevens Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 13-7 |
| 3 | SF | 9:30 | 5-yard TD pass from Hill Shaun Hill Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002... to Davis Vernon Davis -2006 rookie season:Vernon's first reception in the NFL was a 31-yard touchdown catch, against the Arizona Cardinals on September 10, 2006. He added a career-long 52-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on December 10 with a short catch followed by a long run. Davis played in ten games in... (Nedney Joe Nedney Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996... kick) |
SF 14-13 |
| 4 | SF | 14:11 | 23-yard TD pass from Hill Shaun Hill Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002... to Gore Frank Gore Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High... (Nedney Joe Nedney Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996... kick) |
SF 21-13 |
| 4 | TB | 1:20 | 24-yard TD pass from McCown Luke McCown Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League... to Stevens Jerramy Stevens Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:... (pass failed) |
SF 21-19 |
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay concluded the regular season at homeRaymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...
against the Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. They dropped the season finale, and their second-straight game, but rested most of their starters (including Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
, Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
, Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
and Ruud
Barrett Ruud
Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
). Luke McCown
Luke McCown
Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League...
started at quarterback.
On their opening drive, McCown drove the Buccaneers for the game's first score, a touchdown pass to Jerramy Stevens
Jerramy Stevens
Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:...
. The drive included a 52-yard catch by Chad Lucas
Chad Lucas
Chad Dennard Lucas is a wide receiver for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Alabama State....
. Carolina responded by driving to the Tampa Bay 4 yard line. A field goal kick was good, but a holding penalty by Derrick Brooks
Derrick Brooks
Derrick Dewan Brooks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers 28th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
gave the Panthers a first down. They capitalized by scoring a touchdown.
In the second quarter, an interception by Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
led to a Tampa Bay field goal. Late in the second quarter, Josh Bidwell
Josh Bidwell
Joshua John Bidwell is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
punted to Carolina, but a fumble on the return was recovered by the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay tacked on another field goal before halftime, and trailed 14-13 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, Carolina punted and pinned the Buccaneers on their own 2 yard line. McCown then led the Buccaneers on a 10-play, 98-yard touchdown drive, the longest such scoring drive in franchise history. Carolina kept themselves in the game, however, quickly following up with a 46-yard reception to Drew Carter
Drew Carter
Christopher Drew Carter is a retired American football wide receiver of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, and then a 1-yard touchdown run.
Trailing 31-23 late in the fourth quarter, McCown drove the Buccaneers to the Carolina 36 yard line, but was intercepted by Richard Marshall. The Buccaneers finished the regular season 9-7 (5-1 division, 6-2 home).
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | TB | 11:04 | 3-yard TD pass from McCown Luke McCown Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League... to Stevens Jerramy Stevens Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:... (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 7-0 |
| 1 | Car | 3:55 | 2-yard TD pass from Moore Matt Moore (American football) Matthew Erickson Moore is an American Football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He played college football at UCLA and Oregon State... to Fauria Christian Fauria Christian Ashley Fauria is a retired American football tight end.-Early life:Fauria attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California and lettered in football, track, and once in basketball... (Kasay John Kasay John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia... kick) |
7-7 |
| 2 | TB | 12:32 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 31-yard FG |
TB 10-7 |
| 2 | Car | 6:40 | 20-yard TD pass from Moore Matt Moore (American football) Matthew Erickson Moore is an American Football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He played college football at UCLA and Oregon State... to Rosario Dante Rosario Dante Santiago Rosario is an American football tight end who is currently a member of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft... (Kasay John Kasay John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia... kick) |
Car 14-10 |
| 2 | TB | 2:34 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 23-yard FG |
Car 14-13 |
| 2 | Car | 0:16 | Kasay John Kasay John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia... 19-yard FG |
Car 17-13 |
| 3 | TB | 6:57 | 23-yard TD pass from McCown Luke McCown Lucas Patrick McCown is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League... to Bennett (Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... kick) |
TB 20-17 |
| 3 | Car | 4:03 | Williams DeAngelo Williams DeAngelo Williams is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Williams was drafted by the Panthers 27th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft... 1-yard TD run (Kasay John Kasay John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia... kick) |
Car 24-20 |
| 4 | TB | 14:02 | Bryant Matt Bryant Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002... 49-yard FG |
Car 24-23 |
| 4 | Car | 6:24 | Williams DeAngelo Williams DeAngelo Williams is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Williams was drafted by the Panthers 27th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft... 32-yard TD run (Kasay John Kasay John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia... kick) |
Car 31-23 |
NFC Wild Card playoff: New York Giants 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14
Offseason
- On January 22, 2008, head coach Jon GrudenJon GrudenJon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
and general manager Bruce Allen were re-signed to a three-year contract extension. - On January 24, 2008, Mike AlstottMike AlstottMichael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
scheduled a press conference, and is expected to retire.