Buccaneers Take Ritual Beating at Lambeau

On one hand, Brett Favre is really going to miss the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ annual visit. On the other, he’s glad he won’t have to face them so darn much.

Favre is an expert at beating the Buccaneers in Green Bay. He has a 10-0 home record against them after a 21-20 victory Sunday.

But Tampa Bay won’t visit Lambeau Field again in the regular season until 2005 because of realignment.

“I’m not going to miss much,” said Favre, who had two passes intercepted, leading to 10 Tampa Bay points. “As long as those guys--Warren Sapp, John Lynch and the other guys--are there, they’re going to be tough to deal with. No team is easy, but they’ve always been tough.

“Good riddance to Tampa.”

Then Favre wondered, “Do we play them next year?”

Yes, at Tampa.

“Oh,” Favre said. “Good luck to them, then.”

In addition to the two interceptions, the Buccaneers (3-4) recovered a fumble by Ahman Green and turned it into another seven for a 17-7 lead.

But Green, who had a career-high 169 yards in 24 carries, scored on a 63-yard run and Allen Rossum returned a punt 55 yards for the winning touchdown with three minutes left.

The Buccaneers, who haven’t won in Wisconsin since 1989, got one more chance, but Brad Johnson’s desperation pass was knocked down by Darren Sharper in the end zone.

Johnson had the chance because of an errant whistle on the previous play, when he fumbled while trying to spike the ball. Green Bay’s Vonnie Holliday recovered, but the Buccaneers kept possession.

Johnson was sacked seven times and the Packers (5-2) outgained the Buccaneers, 352 yards to 194.

But for a while it looked like the Buccaneers would finally beat Favre on the road.

An interception and 46-yard return by Donnie Abraham set up Martin Gramatica’s 33-yard field goal that brought Tampa Bay within 7-3.

Green’s fumble at the Packer 41 led to Johnson’s 11-yard strike to tight end Dave Moore that made it 10-7 with 2:02 left before halftime.

And Jamie Duncan’s interception at the Green Bay 44 set up Johnson’s 19-yard scoring pass to Mike Alstott to make it 17-7.