Bucs top Titans, move to 4-2

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bounced back from last week's whupping from the Colts to slip past the visiting Tennessee Titans by a score of 13-10.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia was again the key for the Bucs.

Garcia threw for over 200 yards without an interception, and hooked up with receiver Joey Galloway for a 69-yard TD pass to give the Bucs a 10-3 lead in the third quarter.

Titans quarterback Kerry Collins led his team to the tying score late in the fourth quarter in an amazing drive that featured two potential turnovers by the Titans--none of which ended up going Tampa Bay's way (correction: the amazing drive led to no score, and featured three potential turnovers. The touchdown drive had an end zone interception by Ronde Barber overturned via replay).

In one case, Ronde Barber made an apparent interception of Collins in the end zone, only to have the interception nullified on replay. Barber's hand appeared to touch out of bounds before he made a second touch inbounds.

On the other play, Collins was wrapped up by Kevin Carter and threw the ball down behind him--an apparent lateral. Tennessee recovered, but about 30 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The officials ruled Collins "in the grasp" of the defender, saving the quarterback from a potentially game-altering mistake.

The Bucs responded by driving for the go-ahead field goal, with a drive starting with just over a minute to play. The key play was a third-down reception by Ike Hilliard resulting in a first down at the Tampa Bay 48 yard line. After two more completions the Bucs sent out Matt Bryant for a 33-yard field goal that proved to be the game-winner.

Offense:
I predicted before the game that the Bucs would not win unless they rushed for over 50 yards. I was happy to be wrong. Tennessee stuffed the running game, allowing only 30 yards on the ground.

Garcia's passing was the difference in the game, along with the fact that he ended his sixth start with the customary zero interceptions.

Tight End Alex Smith had his ankle rolled up late in the game and was carted off.

Defense:
The defense did just enough to win the game. The defensive line racked up three sacks with one coming on a run out of bounds by Vince Young. Young strained his quad on the play and did not return. Rookie defensive end Gaines Adams (correction: Jovan Haye was closest and it doesn't seem that any sack was credited. Adams received credit for a sack earlier when Young ran into Lendale White and fell. Adams touched Young down to get credit for the sack) was credited with his first sack of the season (and his career) on that play.

Rookie safety Tanard Jackson continued his stellar play, making a crushing hit on Lendale White as White attempted to dart through the line. Jackson put a monster hit on the Colts' Dallas Clark last week.

Jovan Haye, a defensive tackle elevated from the practice squad late last season, registered 10 tackles and a sack--impressive numbers for an interior lineman. Haye has 3 sacks for the season to lead the Bucs.

Special Teams:
Tampa Bay's special teams returned to form after a couple of breakdowns last week. The Titans' return game was held in check. Mark Jones was unable to break any long returns, however. Josh Bidwell did a great job punting, averaging 44 yards on six kicks.


The Bucs are in good shape in the NFC South at this stage of the season, since a 7-9 record may well earn the division title this year. The injuries tend to temper the optimism, however.


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