Bucs defense tightens up just in time

After the offense carries the load most of the day, a couple of big stops secure the win.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published November 14, 2005

TAMPA - This isn't the story you're accustomed to reading most Mondays.

Most times, the Bucs defense smothers opponents and the offense either takes advantage or doesn't. But Sunday's game against the Redskins played out differently. Instead of the defense pointing the way, it was the offense that helped sustain the Bucs' fading hopes.

In the end, the defenders proved they are not easily defied. They would pick themselves up, weary, aching bodies and all, and slam the door on a Washington offense that had moved the ball with eye-opening ease.

When the Redskins needed yards most, a defense that has ranked first in the NFL all season played like a top-rated unit, forcing a punt that set up the winning drive and pulling the plug on Washington's hopes on its final possession.

"I can't even remember what happened, it was such a long, long game," defensive tackle Chris Hovan said. "That just shows you the fortitude of this team though. That's why you play four quarters of football. It's easy to play three, 31/2 quarters. These guys played four quarters today."

The Redskins posted 389 total yards, by far the most the Bucs have yielded this season. Only the Dolphins (307 yards) surpassed 300 against the Bucs, and Tampa Bay opponents were averaging 236.9 entering Sunday.

But few of the Bucs' opponents had the number of offensive options the Redskins do: receiver Santana Moss (four catches, 79 yards), running back Clinton Portis (23 carries, 144 yards) and quarterback Mark Brunell (13 of 18 in the second half).

"We made some plays and we gave up some plays," defensive lineman Ellis Wyms said. "Hey, they get paid, too. That was a solid team coming in here. We knew that. They have a lot of speed at the wide receiver spot, a special quarterback, a great tailback."

Even the impact of the three turnovers the Bucs forced early seemed to fade as the Redskins reeled off scoring drives of 73 and 76 yards that turned this game upside down. Juran Bolden had an early interception and his deflection resulted in a Simeon Rice pick, and Rice later forced a Brunell fumble that Dewayne White recovered.

Such plays were absent as the Redskins seemed to drive systematically in the second half. It was disheartening for the defense to watch Washington rack up 70 yards on three third-down conversions on a 73-yard march that gave it a 28-21 lead.

But with the Redskins up 35-28 and the Bucs offense praying for another crack, the defense stepped in to return the many favors the offense had delivered. On third and 2 from the Washington 20, Portis got barely a yard, and the the Redskins punted. After the Bucs' thrilling touchdown drive and two-point conversion, it was up to the defense to ice the game. The Redskins got one first down, but the drive fizzled when Brunell ran into a barrage of Bucs on fourth down.

"The one third down that we did actually stop in the fourth quarter will come down to be the biggest one," cornerback Ronde Barber said. "I guarantee you (defensive coordinator) Monte (Kiffin) will still be talking about it (today). That ultimately won us the game."

[Last modified November 14, 2005, 01:04:15]