Despite the possibility of tornado's, and a steady monsoon-like rain throughout the day, the Buccaneers and Saints managed to score 43 points as Tampa Bay kept pace with Carolina in the NFC South, pulling out a huge 23-20 win.The win improves Tampa Bay to 9-3 on the season, and sets up a huge contest with Carolina next Monday, in a game that very well could decide the NFC South title.
So, while Drew Brees finished the day 25-of-47 for 297 yards and a pair of scores, he also threw three interceptions, including a brutal pick over the middle, in a tie game, with just over two minutes to play in regulation. Jermaine Phillips picked off the Brees pass, returning it 13 yards to the New Orleans 17-yard line.
Three plays later, Matt Bryant booted a 37-yard field goal for the eventual game-winning score.
The Saints final possession ended when Brees threw his third pick of the day, this time when Phillip Buchanon stepped in front of a pass intended for Lance Moore.
While Brees was tossing interceptions, he received absolutely no help from his running game, as the Buccaneers dominant (and extremely underrated) run defense held the Saints to just 44 yards on 18 carries. Their longest run of the afternoon was nine yards.
Meanwhile, for the Buccaneers, Jeff Garcia didn't exactly have his best game of the season, completing only 9-of-23 and 119 yards. But, the important thing is, he didn't turn the football over, and he did hook up with a wide-open Antonio Bryant for a 39-yard touchdown in the third quarter, giving the Buccaneers a 20-10 lead.
Tampa Bay picked up 149 yards on the ground, a game-high 74 from Warrick Dunn. Perhaps more importantly, the Buccaneers received a positive contribution from Cadillac Williams who rushed four times for 20 yards, including an 8-yard score in the third quarter.
It's Williams' first touchdown in an NFL game since week 3 of the 2007 season.
