While I’m not quite ready to follow Raheem Morris’ suggestion and pro- claim his Buccaneers as the best team in the NFC, they certainly deserve to be in the running after moving into a tie with the Falcons atop the NFC South at 5-2 following their fourth comeback victory from a fourth-quarter deficit this season. The Bucs did everything in their power to let the Cardinals back into the game, as Arizona scored 21 consecutive points to take a 35-31 lead with 9:41 remaining in the fourth quar- ter. After regaining the lead on rookie RB LeGarrette Blount’s second TD of the game set up by Josh Freeman’s picturesque bomb to Arrelious Benn just short of the goal line, the Bucs gave the Cardinals one last shot at a victory after their ill-advised 53-yard field-goal attempt was partially blocked. But Bucs CB Aqib Talib inter- cepted an equally ill-advised pass from Cardinals QB Derek Anderson, which was followed soon afterward by a tremendous 48-yard romp by Blount that finally sealed the deal for the Bucs. Tampa Bay can now actually earn legit- imate “best team” status in the NFC if they can come up with their sixth road victory in a row (dating back to last season) against Atlanta this Sunday in a suddenly very meaningful game.
I think lost in all of the action Sunday was the Benn TD catch (Sorry folks, that was a touchdown! Had Raheem had any left that would have been reviewed and ruled so. Check it out yourself, in HD if you must!
Click Here to Watch the Video FULL HD 720P Dan Parr-Also Pro Football Weekly
The Buccaneers are doing the things that other young teams often have struggled to accomplish. They’re finding ways to win away from home — Tampa Bay has won five consecutive road games dating back to last season. The Bucs also have been resilient, coming from behind in the fourth quarter in four of their five wins in 2010. This team that was supposed to fade fast has put itself in contention for a playoff spot. It’s tied for first place heading into a Week Nine game against the Falcons, and even if Tampa Bay goes to Atlanta and loses badly, this team still could find its way into the postseason. It’s a credit to head coach Raheem Morris, who is growing into his role, but it also goes to show how much of a difference the maturation of a young quarterback can make. Josh Freeman hasn’t committed a turnover since Week Five and he has thrown just three interceptions all season. He has done well even without the benefit of a great supporting cast. The Bucs showed they still aren’t on the verge of greatness in Week Eight, when they blew a 17-point third-quarter lead against the Cardinals. But they came back, and in a season short on truly elite teams, the Bucs could be rewarded for making the most of their young talent.
Comeback they did, and one of the biggest plays of the end of the game was Blount’s ripping off a long run by smashing and hurdling, thats right, he hurdled an NFL player, en-route to a first down at midfield that changed the complexion of the Cardinals last minute come back attempt. adding on field position that made a difference in Cardinal play calling.
Click Here to Watch the Video FULL HD 720P Later today, check out a Bucstop feature where we look at the things people were saying about the Bucs prior to the start of this season, and the difference so far is what has come true, and what hasn’t. With Video support of course!!
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