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Buccaneers dim playoff hopes of Saints

Nov 30, 2008 - 11:42 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Matt Bryant's 37-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining lifted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past the New Orleans Saints, 23-20, on Sunday for their fourth consecutive win.

Bryant's field goal was set up by Jermaine Phillips 10-yard interception return to the Saints 17. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who rallied the Saints from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit, also was intercepted by Phillip Buchanon with 1:36 remaining, sealing the victory.

Jeff Garcia threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Bryant and Cadillac Williams, in only his second game back since returning from a knee injury suffered last year, added an 8-yard touchdown run.

"We have been able to overcome a lot of different things this year," Tampa Bay guard Davin Joseph said. "On the road, playing bad with turnovers, losing the turnover battle, penalties in the red zone. We have been able to overcome a lot. When it is time to make a play, there is always somebody to step up and make a play."

The Bucs (9-3) avenged a 24-20 loss at New Orleans in the season opener and improved to 6-0 at home to remain tied with Carolina atop the NFC South.

"That was a great win for us, a team effort," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said. "Our defense was tremendous today, particularly at the end of the football game. Our offense came out and started the third quarter with back-to-back scores that were big."

Tampa Bay appeared in control with a 20-10 fourth-quarter lead before Brees rallied the Saints.

Brees' 20-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas with 12:09 remaining pulled New Orleans within 20-17.

On the Saints' next possession, New Orleans took advantage of an 18-yard punt by Josh Bidwell and tied the contest on Garrett Hartley's 43-yard field goal with 5:34 remaining.

"It's a tough one to lose," New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. "I was proud of the way our guys battled. We came back when we were down 20-10. We were proud of the effort, especially the defense.

"We got the momentum back, tied the game at 20. In the end, we just didn't have enough in us and we ended up losing a close game to a good team."

Brees finished 25-of-47 for 296 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

"It hurts right now," Brees said. "I know how well we played. You try to be in a position to win in the end and we were."

Garcia (9-for-23) threw for 119 yards, including the touchdown to Bryant that gave Tampa Bay a 20-10 lead. He also had 43 yards rushing on six carries.

"There were a couple of times when I stepped up and probably forced a throw or tried to make a tight throw and there were lanes for me to take off and run and I probably could have moved the chains," Garcia said. "I was able to do that and convert some first downs and pretty much do whatever I had to do to make something work."

Brees' 13-yard touchdown pass to Lance Moore 33 seconds before halftime tied the contest at 10 at the half.

The Saints (6-6), who had scored 81 points in winning their last two games, were held to their second-lowest point total of the year.

Marques Colston had six receptions for 106 yards, while Thomas added 34 yards rushing on 11 carries.

"I knew the running game would be a big step in this game but it is tough going against this type of defense," Thomas said. "They have a good defense. We tried to use both our schemes, passing and running the ball."

Bryant had three catches for 63 yards. Warrick Dunn had 22 carries for 74 yards for the Bucs.