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Bryant overcomes tragedy to help Bucs beat Packers

Sep 29, 2008 - 12:11 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Matt Bryant battled through personal tragedy to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secure an emotional win.

Bryant kicked three field goals and the Buccaneers intercepted Aaron Rodgers three times en route to a 30-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Bryant hit field goals of 23, 36 and 24 yards just four days after the tragic death of his 3-month-old son, Matthew Tryson Bryant.

"The best way I felt I could get out and honor him (was to play)," Bryant said. "I miss him. I wish he was here. He was here with me. He helped out."

"It's the story of the day," Bucs quarterback Brian Griese said. "I'm really happy for him. I'm not too philosophical, but having a 2-year-old daughter, I don't know how you progress through something like that. I can't be happier for a guy that's meant so much to this team."

Bryant's 24-yard field goal gave Tampa Bay a 23-21 lead with 2:26 remaining. On the Packers' ensuing possession, Gaines Adams intercepted Rodgers and Earnest Graham ripped off a 47-yard run to set up his 1-yard TD run for the final margin.

"I was just trying to be patient," said Graham, who finished with 111 yards on 20 carries. "Those are really the best times to break long runs, when you are in that situation."

"(Graham) is a big-time back," Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden added. "I hope he gets the respect he deserves."

Tampa Bay's defense forced four turnovers, setting up 24 points. The Bucs' defense also scored a touchdown for the third time in their past four games when Jermaine Phillips recovered Ryan Grant's fumble and returned it 38 yards for a score.

Griese was 15-of-30 for 149 yards and overcame three interceptions of his own.

In the fourth quarter, Rodgers left with a shoulder injury and returned after being replaced by Matt Flynn for one series, but was intercepted by Adams.

"It's too early to tell (when he can return)," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "Maybe he was able to go back in and play the one series. It was clearly a medical decision to hold him that one series, and then it was OK to go back in. Then they felt it wasn't OK for him to go back out after the interception."

"I hurt my shoulder on the possession in the third quarter, right before I threw the touchdown pass," said Rodgers, who finished 14-of-27 for 165 yards and two TDs. "I was not sure if I dislocated it or what. We had too many turnovers that led directly to points."

Charles Woodson's 62-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Packers (2-2) a 21-20 lead with 13:43 remaining.

"Nothing was open for Griese down the field, he was going for the check down and we were in a zone, so I was able to sit there and read," Woodson said. "He went through his progressions, he tried to go to the running back and I just broke."

However, the Bucs (3-1) scored on their next two drives. After Rodgers' 25-yard TD to Greg Jennings gave the Packers a 7-0 lead, the Bucs responded with 20 consecutive points.

Griese hit Alex Smith for a 9-yard touchdown pass, and Bryant booted field goals of 23 and 36 yards.

Derrick Brooks' interception ended a streak of 157 consecutive passes by Rodgers without an interception, the third-longest streak in Packers history.

"I just try to be as humble as I can," Brooks said. "I'm just thankful to be in the position to make the play."

Jennings finished with six catches for 109 yards.

"We hurt ourselves, especially on offense," Jennings said. "The defense gave us opportunity after opportunity, and we just didn't come through."