Jeff Garcia Can't Get Out of His Own Way, Bucs Lose to Jags

Sure, Jeff Garcia threw a pick on the next-to-last play of the game with Tampa Bay down by one point (he tossed his first interception of the season today, by the way), but that's not why the Buccaneers lost to the Jaguars, 24-23.

The Bucs lost to the Jags (in part, anyway) because Garcia threw a second-quarter interception that cornerback Aaron Glenn returned for six. That put Jacksonville up 17-3. Of course, Garcia hit Joey Galloway on a 58-yard bomb three plays later, but throwing pick-sixes is never a good thing (unless Tom Brady does it, then it was part of the game plan ... or something).

And then there was Garcia's second interception, in Jacksonville territory with Tampa Bay trailing by 17-13 in the third quarter. The Jags didn't score, but they took time off the clock and kept the Bucs from putting up points. Erase these three mistakes -- or, hell, just the first two -- and the Buccaneers probably win.

But that ain't what happened. First-time starter Quinn Gray, subbing for an injured David Garrard, finished the day just 7 of 16 for 100 yards, but he threw one snazzy touchdown, and avoided any turnovers.

Other than the score, Tampa Bay dominated the stat sheet, and if nothing else, they can chalk this up to a learning experience (or some similar-sounding cliche). More importantly, thought, the Bucs are still just a half-game out of the NFC South lead, and if Garcia plays like he did the first seven games of the season (and not the eighth), Tampa Bay should be in good shape come January.