Please like and subscribe!
Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson, returning to Washington for the
first time since his bittersweet departure in 2000, threw four
touchdown passes and completed 22 of 30 passes for 268 yards. And
that was with Joe Jurevicius out injured, and Keyshawn Johnson
playing with a bruised thigh.
The Bucs' QB went 14-for-18 for 205 yards after halftime. Tight
end Will Heller and Keyshawn Johnson caught touchdown passes, and
Derrick Brooks returned an interception 44 yards for a score -- all
in the second half. Keenan McCardell, the Bucs' only healthy
starting receiver, made two incredible over-the-shoulder catches on
touchdown drives and finished with five receptions for 77 yards.
The unlikeliest hero was tight end Todd Yoder, who got wide open
for his first two NFL touchdowns after starter Ken Dilger left in
the first half with a sprained right ankle. Yoder, known more for
his special teams play, also set up another touchdown by dragging
Champ Bailey and David Terrell past the first-down marker on a
third-and-8 deep in Washington territory.
The Buccaneers (3-2) rebounded from a stunning 38-35 Monday
night loss to Indianapolis, when they blew a 21-point lead in the
final four minutes. In this game, Tampa Bay took a 22-point lead
with 6:55 to play.
"I've never been more uncomfortable with a 22-point lead in my
life," coach Jon Gruden said, grinning.
Tampa Bay's six sacks were one fewer than it had in the first
four games combined.
"Once we get the lead, we usually can seal it from that
point," Sapp said. "And we needed to seal it, because we let a
big one out the door" against the Colts.
It was the Redskins' first game this season decided by more than
three points. The penalties that plagued their earlier losses
showed up again. Washington (3-3), which had committed a
league-high 55 penalties entering the game, got flagged nine times
for 72 yards.
On one drive, Washington's penalties allowed Tampa Bay
first-and-goal plays from the 9-, 5- and 1-yard lines. Personal
foul calls on Regan Upshaw and Arrington kept touchdown drives
alive.
Washington's Patrick Ramsey completed 21 of 32 passes for 211
yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Redskins QBs have
been sacked 23 times this year.
"Hopefully, we can block a little bit better as we go through
the season," said Redskins coach Steve Spurrier, who didn't have
starting guard Dave Fiore (knee) for the third straight game. "If
not, we are in trouble. I don't think we are doing it well enough
to beat a lot of teams right now."Game notes
Brad Johnson's nose was black and bruised after the game,
but not broken. ... He has thrown 150 passes without an
interception. ...