The Buccaneers basically played all of their backups in this game as they wanted to keep all of their key players healthy for the playoff game against the Giants next week.  Luke McCown played a solid game as he completed 21 of 28 passes for 236 yards with 2 TD passes and 1 interception.  He also carried the ball 5 times for 47 yards (9.4 ypc).  Michael Bennett carried most of the workload in the running game for the Bucs but it didn’t go well as he carried the ball 15 times for 39 yards (2.6 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 28 yards with a TD.  Chad Lucas (5 rec, 82 yards) and Michael Clayton (5 rec, 60 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Bucs.  The Bucs finished up with 107 yards rushing on 26 carries (4.1 ypc) and they also completed 21 of 28 passes for 196 yards.

Safety Kalvin Pearson and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter led the way for the Bucs defense with 8 tackles apiece.  The Panthers finished up with 180 yards rushing on 37 carries (4.9 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 24 passes for 169 yards.

The Bucs fell to 9-6 on the season with this loss.  It’s hard to figure out how the Bucs lost this game despite out-yarding the 49ers 434-213!  Jeff Garcia started the game and he completed 12 of 20 passes for 196 yards with a TD pass.  Luke McCown followed Garcia in the game and he completed 18 of 32 passes for 185 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 17 yards (8.5 ypc).  Ernest Graham just made a token appearance as he carried the ball 9 times for 21 yards (2.3 ypc).  TEs Alex Smith (6 rec, 79 yards) and Jerramy Stevens (4 rec, 73 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Bucs.  The Bucs finished up with 67 yards on 24 carries (2.8 ypc) and they also completed 30 of 52 passes for 367 yards.

The Bucs defense was led by linebacker Barrett Rudd who had 6 tackles and a fumble recovery.  The 49ers finished up with 97 yards rushing with 29 carries (3.3 ypc) and they also completed 11 of 24 passes for 116 yards.

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The Buccaneers dominated this game in every phase and it showed on the scoreboard.  Reserve WR Martin Spurlock made Bucs history as he became the first Buc to every run back a kickoff for a TD (90-yarder).  Jeff Garcia completed 15 of 25 passes for 109 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception.  Ernest Graham led the Bucs in rushing with 79 yards on 22 carries (3.6 ypc) with a TD run and he also caught 5 passes for 40 yards (8.0 avg).  Michael Bennett also got some game action and he played well as he carried the ball 9 times for 63 yards (7.0 ypc).  Michael Pittman also played well as he carried the ball 13 times for 50 yards (3.8 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 20 yards (6.7 avg).  The Bucs finished up with 190 yards rushing on 48 carries (4.0 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 25 passes for 95 yards.

The Defense was led by LB Barrett Ruud (8 tackles) and Ronde Barber (1 tackle, 29-yard interception return for a TD).  The Falcons only had possession of the football for an amazing 17:01 of this football game!  The Falcons finished up with 106 yards rushing on 20 carries (5.3 ypc) and they completed 4 of 15 passes for 27 yards.

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These are two teams going in opposite directions as the Falcons have lost their last four games by a combined 124-50!  They also had their coach quit after Monday Night’s game which was very strange.  The Bucs have won 4 of their last 5 games to take a commanding lead in the NFC South.

The Falcons will probably throw the ball a lot in this game as they have nothing to lose at this point in the season.  Look for Chris Redman to challenge the Bucs’ DBs deep with Roddy White and Michael Jenkins.  The Falcons would also be smart to let Jerious Norwood get the ball as the main running back in this offense as he can go the distance on any carry.

The Bucs will likely keep feeding the ball to Ernest Graham who has done an outstanding job as the main man in the running game.  The Falcons are allowing 123.7 yards rushing per game this season so Graham should find a lot of running room.  Jeff Garcia is a master at play action passing and he could have a field day throwing the ball to Joey Galloway this weekend. 

PREDICTION:  TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 24,  ATLANTA FALCONS 9

The Bucs just couldn’t keep up with the Texans yesterday in Houston as they fell to 8-5 on the season.  Luke McCown had a decent game as he completed 25 of 38 passes for 266 yards.  Ernest Graham worked hard as he carried the ball 15 times for 61 yards (4.1 ypc) with 2 TD runs and he also caught 6 passes for 45 yards (7.5 avg).  Joey Galloway led the way in the passing game with 6 catches for 87 yards (14.5 avg).  The Bucs finished with 71 yards rushing on 17 carries (4.2 ypc) and they also completed 25 of 38 passes for 234 yards.

Ronde Barber led the way for the Bucs defense with 10 tackles.  But it was DE Jovan Haye (3 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries) and DT Greg White (5 tackles and 3 sacks) were the players making the big plays on the defense for the Bucs.  The Texans finished up with 71 yards rushing on 27 carries (2.6 ypc) and they also completed 27 of 36 passes for 186 yards.

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