RECAP: Deuce McAllister gained 22 rushing yards on the Saints' first possession and started the second with a 37-yard run. But New Orleans did not capitalize on either trip inside Tampa Bay territory. Keyshawn Johnson was the most productive Buc with three catches for 37 yards, including a 24-yard diving reception that moved the Bucs to the Saints 35. But a 2-yard run by Michael Pittman, false start penalty and two incompletions forced a punt.
KEY PLAY: The Saints bungled a fake field goal. First, they tipped off the play by sending a receiver in motion. Then punter Mitch Berger, also the holder, rolled right and badly underthrew tight end Ernie Conwell.
DID YOU NOTICE: Aaron Brooks took a hard shot from Simeon Rice during the opening drive thanks to the officials, who called a false start but didn't stop the play before Rice slammed Brooks to the turf. ... Tom Tupa's first punt went 60 yards, and his second appeared to pin the Saints at their 4. But Charles Lee went out of bounds before downing the ball, forcing another kick. Michael Lewis let Lee off the hook, calling for a fair catch at the 4.
SECOND QUARTER
RECAP: Ashley Ambrose gave the Saints possession at the Bucs 38, intercepting a deflected Brad Johnson pass with 11:06 left. New Orleans took advantage of the turnover and a favorable matchup. Aaron Brooks found receiver Michael Lewis behind linebacker Shelton Quarles on the ensuing play for a 38-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead. Tampa Bay drove to the New Orleans 14 late behind two 13-yard receptions by Keenan McCardell. But a sack pushed Tampa Bay to the 21, and Martin Gramatica missed a 36-yard field goal wide left as time expired.
KEY PLAY: Tampa Bay's first serious scoring opportunity ended with another turnover. Facing first down at the Saints 31, Johnson threw to Michael Pittman in the right flat. But as he struggled for extra yards, he lost the handle. Derrick Rodgers caught the fumble to end the threat.
DID YOU NOTICE: The first boos came at 9:59 after Johnson's throw to Pittman on third and 4 fell incomplete. ... Simeon Rice got his ninth sack of the season, dropping Brooks for a 9-yard loss. It was Tampa Bay's only sack of the game. ... Keyshawn Johnson finished the half with five catches for 64 yards.
THIRD QUARTER
RECAP: The Bucs couldn't get out of their own way, turning it over twice inside Saints territory. After driving to the 17, Brad Johnson was blindsided by Willie Whitehead, losing 7 yards and the ball. Then after a Derrick Brooks interception, the Bucs moved to the Saints 32, where Johnson, caught up in traffic in the backfield, tried to throw the ball away by floating a pass toward tight end Will Heller on the right sideline. Ashley Ambrose intercepted and raced 73 yards for a touchdown.
KEY PLAY: On Johnson's fumble, Whiteside circled around Kenyatta Walker and, as Johnson drifted, hit him from behind. Roger Knight recovered at the Saints 20.
DID YOU NOTICE: The Saints surprised the Bucs on the second-half kickoff, recovering an onside kick at their 41. They managed just 9 yards on the ensuing possession and punted. ... New Orleans gave Tampa Bay a chance to get back in the game when Deuce McAllister was stopped on fourth and 1 from the Saints 49. But the Bucs fumbled the ball back. ... Through three quarters, Johnson had a quarterback rating of 35.3.
FOURTH QUARTER
RECAP: Finally finishing what they started, the Bucs came alive in the final 11 minutes, putting together two long scoring drives and tying it on Brad Johnson's 30-yard pass to Keenan McCardell on fourth and 10. The defense, which had held the Saints to just 214 total yards, didn't stop their final drive, however, as John Carney hit a 47-yard field goal with eight seconds left.
KEY PLAY: Facing third and 1 from his 37 and 1:31 left, Aaron Brooks hit Michael Lewis on a 17-yard completion to the Bucs 46.
DID YOU NOTICE: Tampa Bay's first possession ended at the Saints 35, when Johnson was sacked on fourth and 4. ... The Saints could have sealed it sooner, but Carney missed a 39-yard field goal after Tim Wansley fumbled a punt. ... Tampa Bay tried some trickery on its final play. It started with an 8-yard pass to Keyshawn Johnson, who lateraled to Michael Pittman, who lateraled to McCardell, who lateraled to Brad Johnson, who lateralled to Cosey Coleman, who lateraled to Cornell Green, whose fumble was recovered by Fred Thomas.
