Running Game Is Suddenly a Dunn Deal

The Buccaneers only needed to give Warrick Dunn the ball more to find the featured running back they’d been missing.

Dispelling the theory that he’s too small to take a pounding, Dunn ran for a career-high 210 yards and two touchdowns Sunday to lead Tampa Bay to a 27-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Skeptics have labeled the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Dunn as a situational player unable to meet the physical demands of playing on every down. But with All-Pro fullback Mike Alstott sidelined because of a sprained knee, Dunn--in his fourth season--has carried the Buccaneer offense.

“It’s not the size of the dog, it’s the fight that’s in him,” defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. “And that guy is something special.”

Dunn went over 100 yards and scored twice for the second consecutive week to help Tampa Bay (8-5) remain in playoff contention. The Buccaneers finished with a franchise-record 250 yards on the ground against the NFL’s lowest-ranked rushing defense.

Dunn scored on a 70-yard run on his first carry and put the game out of reach with a four-yard, fourth-quarter burst that finished an 11-play, 88-yard drive.

“It’s nice to finally be able to show what I can do,” said Dunn, who gained 54 yards in six carries on the last scoring drive. “Those guys on the offensive line believe in me. They know I’m going to be the primary ball carrier and they believe if they get their guy, I’m going to do the job.”

Dallas (4-9) has allowed three players to rush for more than 200 yards this season. As for the Cowboy offense, Emmitt Smith rushed for 80 yardsand scored their only touchdown, a four-yard run in the third quarter. He finished 13 yards shy of joining Barry Sanders as the only players to gain at least 1,000 in 10 consecutive seasons.