Buccaneers Overcome the Unexpected

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tied several franchise records for success and maintained a share of the NFL’s best record.

Barely.

Martin Gramatica’s 38-yard field goal with 3:04 left was decisive for the Buccaneers in a 23-20 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday as an expected blowout turned into a close battle.

Tampa Bay (11-3) clinched a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season and tied franchise records for wins and road victories (five), but had to hold off numerous comeback attempts from the Lions (3-11).

The Buccaneers survived as Detroit’s Jason Hanson was short on a 57-yard field goal with 1:51 left.

“It wasn’t our best game, but I’m not disappointed about being 11-3,” Buccaneer Coach Jon Gruden said.

Tampa Bay has won five of six, and Sunday’s win, coupled with losses by New Orleans and Atlanta, gave them a two-game lead in the NFC South.

Quarterback Brad Johnson said, however, that the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal.

“We have guys who have won some special awards, and some that may make the Hall of Fame,” Johnson said. “But we do not have one player on this team that has won a Super Bowl.”

The Lions have lost six in a row.

Detroit was without rookie quarterback Joey Harrington after its first drive. He was taken to a hospital for tests and observation with an irregular heartbeat. He was kept overnight.

Backup Mike McMahon created some excitement. McMahon, who lost his starting job to Harrington after the second game of the season, was 10 for 21 for 158 yards, with one touchdown passing and one rushing, plus an interception.

Johnson was 24 for 41 for 253 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Mike Alstott and Michael Pittman combined for 93 yards rushing and two touchdowns.