Twists of fate

By RICK STROUD
Published January 7, 2006

	[AP photo]
	BARBER'S INTERCEPTIONS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber is congratulated by coach Jon Gruden after making a fourth-quarter interception against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 4, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. The interception preserved the Bucs' 10-3 win.
	[Times photo: Jim Damaske] THE BLOCKED FIELD GOAL: Shepherd fumbled the overtime kickoff. But Dewayne White blocked a 28-yard field goal by Todd Peterson. Tampa Bay won 27-24 on Bryant's 41-yard field goal with 15 seconds left.

TAMPA - Through luck or pluck, the Bucs have been a charmed team. They won the challenges, got a flag when needed and had a few footballs bounce the right direction.

But you don't go 11-5 without making a few of your own breaks. Let's examine 10 plays that went the Bucs way.

PHANTOM PASS INTERFERENCE: In the opener, a Vikings touchdown in the third quarter was nullified by pass interference against tight end Jermaine Wiggins. Minnesota kicked a field goal instead to cut its deficit to 17-10, and the Bucs went on to win 24-13. GRIESE'S "INCOMPLETION': On-field officials ruled an incomplete pass when Brian Griese lost the ball and the Packers returned it for a touchdown. A replay review determined the quarterback fumbled. But because the play was whistled dead, the Bucs retained possession and still led 17-13. The Bucs won 17-16. OUT OF BOUNDS: Marcus Pollard's 12-yard touchdown catch with 13 seconds left, which would have put Detroit up 20-17, was overturned by replay review. If 10 people looked at the play 1,000 times from any angle, it would be hard to agree on a decision. That means, by definition, the replay is inconclusive and the touchdown should have stood. The Bucs held on to win 17-13. SHEPHERD'S SCORE: With the Bucs trailing the Redskins 35-28, Edell Shepherd made a diving catch of a 30-yard pass with 58 seconds left. His first career touchdown led to . . .

THE TWO-POINT CONVERSION: The Redskins blocked the extra point but were called for offside, moving the ball to the 1. Coach Jon Gruden took a huge gamble by going for the win with a two-point conversion. A second effort by Mike Alstott got it done for a 36-35 victory despite replays that appeared to show his elbow landed short of the goal line.

BRAIN LOCK: Hey, you need a little help from the other guys. In the Bucs' first meeting with Atlanta, backup quarterback Matt Schaub came in for one play when Michael Vick was shaken up in the first quarter. Falcons coach Jim Mora ordered Schaub to pass from his end zone on third and 22. Schaub was sacked by Simeon Rice and fumbled, and Anthony McFarland recovered for a touchdown and 10-0 lead.

VICK'S FUMBLE: If Vick is Superman, linebacker Derrick Brooks is his kryptonite. With the score tied, a rare blitz by the Bucs middle linebacker late forced a Vick fumble that led to the winning field goal by Matt Bryant.

BARBER'S INTERCEPTIONS: Rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the Saints. That was what Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber did. The last of his three interceptions came at the goal line during the final minutes and robbed Joe Horn of a tying touchdown in a 10-3 Tampa Bay win.

PITTMAN'S HUSTLE: Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall intercepted Simms late in the first half and was on his way to a touchdown until Michael Pittman ran him down. The Falcons were held to a field goal that put them up 17-14, leading to . . .

THE BLOCKED FIELD GOAL: Shepherd fumbled the overtime kickoff. But Dewayne White blocked a 28-yard field goal by Todd Peterson. Tampa Bay won 27-24 on Bryant's 41-yard field goal with 15 seconds left.

[Last modified January 6, 2006, 17:56:01]