Game review

FIRST QUARTER

RECAP: The Bucs got a 24-yard reception by Ken Dilger on its second drive to set up the only score. The special teams worked the bugs out with a 24-yard field goal by Martin Gramatica. Atlanta did little on its drives, getting one first down and gaining no more than 5 yards on any play.

KEY PLAY: Dilger's catch gave the Bucs a first down at the Atlanta 14.

STATS: Rushing yards - Bucs 18, Falcons 15; Passing yards - Bucs 45, Falcons 2; Total yards - Bucs 63, Falcons 17; Turnovers - Bucs 0; Falcons 0; Sacks - Bucs 0, Falcons 0; Time of possession - Bucs 7:59, Falcons 7:01.

DID YOU NOTICE?: Despite the success of Carolina's Stephen Davis last week, Atlanta didn't use 6-foot, 254-pound running back T.J. Duckett. ... The Bucs' kick coverage team struggled with Allen Rossum returning a Tom Tupa punt 42 yards to the Bucs 45.

RECAP: The Bucs scored on passes to Michael Pittman and Warren Sapp. Doug Johnson struggled, sailing a pass into the arms of John Lynch to open the quarter on a play that could have been a touchdown. He also threw two interceptions to Dwight Smith.

KEY PLAY: Pittman's touchdown provided a quick response to the Falcons' first score and broke a 3-3 tie.

STATS: Rushing yards - Bucs 23, Falcons 0; Passing yards - Bucs 101, Falcons 60; Total yards - Bucs 124, Falcons 60; Turnovers - Bucs 0; Falcons 3; Sacks - Bucs 0, Falcons 0; Time of possession - Bucs 8:43, Falcons 6:17.

DID YOU NOTICE?: Sapp has more touchdown catches than Keyshawn Johnson. ... On Pittman's touchdown, Johnson ran a crossing route, forcing linebacker Keith Brooking to alter his coverage. ... Pittman was the featured Buc during the first half, touching the ball 17 times. ... The defense extended its streak to 17 quarters without allowing a touchdown. ... Atlanta coach Dan Reeves doesn't wear a visor, a la Johnson's college coach, Steve Spurrier.

RECAP: Thomas Jones' fumble and a 37-yard return by Sam Rogers to the Tampa Bay 2 set up Atlanta's only touchdown. A 1-yard run by Woodrow Dantzler cut the Bucs' lead to 17-10. Tampa Bay answered with two touchdowns. It drove 73 yards in 10 plays for a Mike Alstott 2-yard scoring run. It then recovered a fumble on the kickoff and marched 40 yards in five plays for a 1-yard Alstott score to put the game away.

KEY PLAY: Karl Williams caught a 14-yard pass from Brad Johnson on third and 5 to keep the drive alive after Atlanta's touchdown. It was his only catch of the game.

STATS: Rushing yards - Bucs 76, Falcons minus-3; Passing yards - Bucs 46, Falcons minus-1; Total yards - Bucs 122; Falcons minus-4; Turnovers - Bucs 1, Falcons 1; Sacks - Bucs 1; Falcons 0; Time of possession - Bucs 9:56, Falcons 5:04.

DID YOU NOTICE?: Warren Sapp and Anthony McFarland seem to have become a standard part of the Bucs' goal-line offense as tight ends. They were on the field for both of Alstott's touchdowns. ... The Bucs extended their streak to 63 consecutive games with a sack when Simeon Rice dropped Doug Johnson for an 11-yard loss at the end of the quarter.

RECAP: The Bucs effectively closed out the game, chewing up the clock on offense and keeping the Falcons out of scoring range on defense.

KEY PLAYS: Tom Tupa boomed punts of 51, 60 and 46 yards.

STATS: Rushing yards - Bucs 15, Falcons 17; Passing yards - Bucs minus-8, Falcons 46; Total yards - Bucs 7; Falcons 63; Turnovers - Bucs 0, Falcons 1; Sacks - Bucs 1; Falcons 1; Time of possession - Bucs 8:26, Falcons 6:34.

DID YOU NOTICE: The Bucs didn't attempt a pass. ... The Falcons converted 1 of 4 third downs.

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