It was over when ...
Bucs coach Jon Gruden made the gutsy decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the 28-yard-line and eschewed the potential game-tying field goal attempt. Earnest Graham ran 2 yards for the first down and Tampa Bay ultimately scored a touchdown on Luke McCown's 6-yard touchdown pass to Jerramy Stevens with 17 seconds left.
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| Chris Graythen / Getty Images |
| Tampa Bay quarterback Luke McCown had his first career 300-yard passing day. |
Game balls
Playing in place of injured starter Jeff Garcia, quarterback Luke McCown came in and performed admirably, completing 29 of 37 passes for 313 yards and two tuchdowns. He also gets kudos for directing the winning drive. Giving plenty of support to McCown were wide receiver Joey Galloway and running back Earnest Graham, both of whom went over 100 yards.
Key stat
Tampa Bay outgained New Orleans 466-246 and also had 24 first downs to only 13 for the Saints.
Noteworthy
With a chance to play conservatively and punt the ball to pin the Bucs deep in their own end of the field, Saints coach Sean Payton called for a reverse and Reggie Bush's pitch back to the receiver was offline, resulting in a fumble that allowed Tampa Bay to start its winning drive at the 37. This win all but ensures the Bucs will win the NFC South as they now have a three-game lead on both the Saints and Panthers and hold tie-breakers over both with just four games left.
