Sports | Bucs

Quarter by quarter

A closer look at the game.

By LAWRENCE HOLLYFIELD
Published December 12, 2005

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FIRST QUARTER

ANONYMOUS BUT EFFECTIVE: Jameel Cook made the tackle neither time but was the first one downfield on Carolina's two kickoff returns, disrupting the Panthers' plans.

SMART GUY: Cornerback Ronde Barber, beaten by receiver Steve Smith for 23 yards on the first play, held the same play to a gain of 1 on Carolina's third drive.

HOW TO TURN THE TABLES: Five weeks ago against the Bucs, Carolina's first two drives netted 15 plays, 91 yards and 10 points. Sunday, its first two drives totaled 10 plays, 61 yards and no points.

ELLIS HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING: Tackle Ellis Wyms ruined one Carolina play by storming into the backfield and forcing running back DeShaun Foster to cut to his right, where safety Jermaine Phillips dropped him 2 yards short of a first down. One drive later, Wyms sent the Carolina offense to the bench by stripping quarterback Jake Delhomme on third down.

CAROLINA KICKING ITSELF: John Kasay missed a 42-yard field goal, and Smith fielded a punt at his 1.

PERFECTLY EXECUTED: On the Bucs' touchdown, running back Cadillac Williams made linebacker Will Witherspoon miss in the backfield, then sliced painlessly into the end zone as linemen Anthony Davis, Dan Buenning and John Wade, fullback Mike Alstott and receiver Joey Galloway sealed off defenders.

SECOND QUARTER

SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT: During the first half, Carolina was called for holding on the offensive and defensive lines. Panthers receivers couldn't get free, and Jake Delhomme had happy feet in the pocket.

DID HE SING THE ANTHEM, TOO?: Carolina receiver Steve Smith, who also returns punts, played the role of defensive back and deflected a pass that cornerback Brian Kelly likely would have intercepted.

IMPOSING HIS WILL - AND HIS SHOULDER PADS: Bucs safety Will Allen thumped Smith on an incomplete pass over the middle.

THE PUNTER!?!?: Mark Jones overcame a punt that clanged off his shoulder pads and eluded six Panthers but couldn't complete a 92-yard touchdown because he was brought down on a desperation arm tackle by punter Jason Baker after 31 yards.

BUT HE HELD ON: Michael Clayton, who let a reception slip away earlier, bobbled a ball on third and 8 before grabbing it and completing a 12-yard play. Three plays later, Matt Bryant's 34-yard field goal made it 10-0.

FLASH AND FIZZ: Carolina gained 51 yards on its first four plays. On its next 19, through the end of the half, it netted 27.

MINDING THEIR Ps AND Qs: The Bucs played with poise, hit with power and maintained a high level of quality for 30 minutes.

THIRD QUARTER

SHORT-LIVED JOLT: Stephen Davis entered the game and seemed to bring an emotional lift with his 20-yard run on third and 3. But the Bucs hit back, stopping him four plays later on fourth and 2.

HE HAS DONE IT BEFORE: It wasn't quite the shoe-squealing, stop-and-go move he flashed against Florida State in the 1997 Sugar Bowl, but ex-Gator Ike Hilliard slammed on the brakes to scoot past linebacker Ricky Manning and turn a short pass into a 12-yard gain on third and 11.

WHERE WAS THE JOE GIBBS CAM?: Mike Alstott appeared to get the first down on a third-and-1 leap. But with the spot, he was a yard short, and the Bucs settled for a 36-yard field goal.

YOU GOTTA KNOW WHEN TO FOLD 'EM: The Bucs had just opened a 13-point lead, and you had the feeling Tampa Bay just needed to contain Carolina. On Carolina's first play, however, safety Dexter Jackson went for the ball instead of the tackle, and Steve Smith turned a 17-yard pass into a 60-yarder.

OFFICIALLY A TREND: During the first three quarters, referees thrice threw flags for the rare holding by a defensive lineman.

FOURTH QUARTER

ASSIGNMENT FOR THE PLAYOFFS (JUST IN CASE): The Bucs must find a way to stop, or at least slow, Steve Smith, who had 103 yards receiving and 55 on punt returns.

SEND HIS TIMING TO CANTON: Carolina, down by 10, had scrapped to the Tampa Bay 12, and Jake Delhomme had fired a pass to - gulp - Ricky Proehl. Ronde Barber stepped in front for the interception, and his 35-yard return was the springboard for Cadillac Williams' touchdown. It was the second straight game Barber halted a comeback with a late interception.

WHERE'S THE TEETER-TOTTER?: Bucs tackle Anthony Davis celebrated Williams' game-sealing score with a 329-pound game of leapfrog.

MAYBE HE THOUGHT IT WAS FOURTH AND 2.3: On fourth and 23, Carolina's Nick Goings caught a pass and stepped out of bounds for a gain of 12.

JULIUS SEIZED: Julius Peppers, normally so dominant against the Bucs that it seems there are two or three of him, finished with two tackles and no sacks.

KUDOS TO THE COACHES: The Bucs were prepared and focused, and the offensive and defensive game plans seemed flawless, contributing to their best big-game performance since throttling the Eagles 17-0 in the 2003 season opener.

[Last modified December 12, 2005, 08:54:15]

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