McCown threw for over 300 yards in leading the Bucs to a regular-season sweep of the Saints. The Bucs remain undefeated against divisional opponents at 4-0.
With the Bucs trailing 23-20 after a safety, Saints coach Sean Payton called a reverse play late in the game that resulted in a fumble, setting up the Buccaneers deep in Saints territory with the opportunity to take the lead.
The Bucs went for a fourth-and-one during the ensuing drive rather than attempt a long field goal, and Jerramy Stevens eventually caught a McCown pass for the game-winning touchdown with only seconds left on the game clock.
Offense
I predicted the Bucs would win this game, but I did so thinking that Garcia would play. When I heard that McCown would start instead I decided to stick with my prediction, while wondering if I was crazy. McCown did not play well in his relief appearance against Seattle.
Well, I feel a whole lot better about the backup quarterback position, now. McCown showed that he has the arm to throw a deep ball to keep the defense honest--exactly the thing that Bruce Gradkowski has struggled with.
Earnest Graham had another good day, gaining over 100 yards, catching a few passes and scoring a touchdown.
Joey Galloway torched the Saints' secondary often in the first half a couple of times in the second--though he did not score a TD.
All in all a solid day for the offense, which gained 466 yards. The offensive line had a few penalties but blocked well.
Defense
The defense actually had a good day, thanks to the Buccaneer offense. The defense faced only 47 plays from the Saints. I think Drew Brees attempted about that many passes the last time the teams played. The defense allowed two touchdowns, both set up on long passes completed into pretty good coverage. The Saints' third touchdown occurred on an interception; two more points came on a safety with under 4 minutes remaining in the game. Jermaine Phillips stood out, making some hits reminiscent of John Lynch and causing a fumble (recovered by New Orleans). Gaines Adams added another sack to his total and registered 4 tackles to tie for fourth on the team in that category.
Special Teams
Less to do than last week, but the special teams performed well. The kickoff coverage team kept the Saints inside the 20 on three occasions.
Officiating
One play would have really bothered me if the Bucs had lost--not because it specifically might have cost the game but because it would have turned into one of those "What would have happened if ...?" games. And I really hate those when the Bucs put up better stats than the other team.
On the interception McCown threw, Earnest Graham put himself in pretty good position to tackle the ballcarrier. He was pulled by his jersey so that he had no opportunity to make the play. Maybe the Saints would have scored six doing it the hard way, maybe not. I'm happy I don't have to worry about it.
As for the interception, it looked like just one of those things. McCown changed the play at the line because New Orleans was preparing to blitz. He and Galloway miscommunicated. Galloway went long and the DB was sitting on the short route. Easy pickin's.
Next
The Bucs have put themselves in the driver's seat for the playoffs, sitting at 8-4 with a 3-game lead over the Saints and Panthers. The Bucs next play at Houston before coming home to play the Falcons.
Houston's starting quarterback, Matt Schaub, reportedly may miss the game due to injury. I don't think Houston is the same team without him. This game is positioned as a letdown game for the Bucs, but the team is playing so consistently right now that I pick TB to pick up their ninth win in Houston.
*****
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