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Buccaneers rally to rout winless Lions

Nov 24, 2008 - 12:13 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Even after spotting the NFL's worst team a big lead, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again found a way to win.

Jeff Garcia threw two touchdowns, Warrick Dunn gained 127 yards from scrimmage and the resilient Buccaneers erased a 17-point deficit Sunday to crush the winless Detroit Lions, 38-20.

It was the fifth victory in the last six games for Tampa Bay (8-3), which has made a habit of falling behind in recent weeks.

"This team is very resilient," Dunn said. "I think we've proved to ourselves that we can come from behind and win games, but I think people are going to take notice that this team is always going to fight."

One week after rallying from a 24-3 deficit to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buccaneers overcame a 13-6 halftime hole to beat the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.

Seven days later, the Bucs faced a 17-0 first-quarter deficit against the dismal Lions (0-11), the NFL's only remaining winless team.

"We can't fall behind 24-3 or 17-0 and expect to beat an NFL football team, and that is something that we got to take a look at," Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said. "But what a real credit to our team and their ability to block that out and keep playing."

The veteran combination of the 38-year-old Garcia and the 33-year-old Dunn, coupled with Tampa Bay's opportunistic defense, helped the Buccaneers scored 35 consecutive points to turn this contest into a laugher.

Garcia completed 13-of-18 passes for 165 yards while Dunn, starting in place of the injured Earnest Graham, rushed for 90 yards and hauled in five receptions for 37 yards.

"I feel like we do a pretty good job, especially on the offensive line," Garcia said. "They have done a great job throughout the season of keeping guys off of my back, and I have been doing good about getting the ball out of my hands."

Dunn got Tampa Bay on the board with his second TD of the season, a 13-yard run with 11:19 remaining in the second quarter.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Bucs drew within 17-14 when Garcia capped a nine-play drive with a 36-yard scoring strike to Ike Hilliard with 4:40 left in the first half.

"(Hilliard) was in the right place at the right time and created a big play for us to allow us to somewhat climb back into the ballgame," Garcia said.

Tampa Bay got the ball back less than two minutes later when cornerback Ronde Barber intercepted Daunte Culpepper at the Detroit 24-yard line.

Garcia gave the Bucs the lead for good on the following play, finding tight end Jerramy Stevens for a 24-yard TD to make it 21-17.

The Buccaneers tacked on two more touchdowns early in the third quarter. The first came courtesy of rookie Clifton Smith, who scored on a 70-yard punt return 3 1/2 minutes into the second half to make it 28-17.

Just 2 1/2 minutes later, Barber intercepted Culpepper again and scored on a 65-yard return.

"We've proved to be a gritty team," Barber said. "We've proved that we can show a lot of character and come back when we're down, especially on the road."

The contest also marked the return of Tampa Bay running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, who had not played since suffering a season-ending knee injury 14 months ago.

Williams ran for 27 yards on 16 carries.

"I was happy for (Williams)," Dunn said. "He's a guy who has come a long way, and to have an opportunity to watch him run and just get a feel. I think it's great - it's positive."

Calvin Johnson had three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown for the Lions, who moved a step closer to completing the NFL's first winless season since the 1976 Buccaneers.

Detroit got off to a surprisingly good start in this one, taking a 7-0 lead on Culpepper's 15-yard TD to Johnson and doubling the advantage when Daniel Bullocks recovered Garcia's fumble and scored on a 44-yard return.

The Lions went ahead, 17-0, on Jason Hanson's 38-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the first quarter.

"We had a lead and then we had some very basic breakdowns," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "We gave up two big plays and you just can't do that. It is just some basic things."