Buccaneers Take Down Lions, 30-21 : NFC: Tampa Bay forces four turnovers and gets mistake-free performance from Testaverde.

For the first time this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers played take away instead of giveaway.

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde played error-free football and Reggie Cobb pumped life into the NFL’s 27th-ranked offense by rushing for a career-high 139 yards and three touchdowns Sunday as the Buccaneers beat the Detroit Lions, 30-21.

The Buccaneers (2-8) forced four turnovers by Lion quarterback Erik Kramer and kept Barry Sanders in check when it looked as if the Lions might come back from a 23-7 halftime deficit.

Tampa Bay had turned the ball over 26 times in its five previous games but had only one giveaway Sunday--Robert Wilson’s fumble which led to Detroit’s second touchdown.

“If there ever is an example that practice pays off, it was this week,” said Testaverde, who completed 12 of 22 passes for 165 yards and made numerous big plays.

“We worked hard all week. We were more upbeat before the game. You could see the fire in our players’ eyes.”

Cobb, the first Tampa Bay running back to rush for more than 100 yards since September 1990, scored on runs of one and three yards in the first half, then broke free for a 59-yard touchdown run that put the Buccaneers ahead, 30-14, late in the third quarter.

Steve Christie kicked three field goals for the Buccaneers, who have won only three games since Richard Williamson replaced Ray Perkins as coach last December.

Testaverde was not sacked and didn’t throw an interception or lose a fumble.

“We played as close to a perfect game as you can,” Tampa Bay offensive lineman Tom McHale said.

The Lions (6-4), who beat Tampa Bay, 31-3, on Sept. 29, are 6-0 indoors but 0-4 outside.

“We have to take a long look at the direction we’re headed,” Lion Coach Wayne Fontes said. “We’re 6-4, but this was our worst performance so far--even worse than against Washington (a season-opening 45-0 loss).”

Sanders gained 118 yards in 23 carries and scored on runs of one and five yards.

Kramer, who completed 20 of 30 passes for 248 yards and scored on a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter, had two passes intercepted and lost two fumbles.