Injuries played a key role in this one with Tennessee losing Brad
Hopkins for the game early in the first quarter and Samari Rolle
midway through the 4th. Tampa lost Kerry Jenkins(G) in the 4th
quarter as well and had no serviceable backup being forced to use
Hochstein at guard for the remainder of the game.
A classic defensive struggle, the Titans were able to overcome a
miserable 16% (3 for 19) third down conversion ratio
by capitalizing on the good fortune of 5 turnovers (2 of them on
kickoff returns) and relying on the steady consistent running of
workhorse back Eddie George (31 rushes 116 yds) to help control the
clock. Tennessee held the ball for nearly 40:00 in an effort to
limit opportunities for Brad Johnson and the potent Buccaneer
offensive attack.
Tampa opened the scoring on their first drive with a 49 yd Martin
Gramatica FG. The Titans took a couple of failed chances on 4th
down early in the game but eventually learned their lesson and
scored two quick FGs early in the 2nd quarter to take a 6-3 lead.
An Eddie Robinson sack and forced fumble in Titan territory late in
the 2nd quarter was recovered by the Titans and set the stage for a
third Del Greco FG of the quarter giving Tennessee a 9-3 lead
and possession to start the second half.
The winds rolled in during the break and the second half saw the
relatively calm winds pick up by as much as 20 mph.Tennessee
started the third by taking some chances deep in an effort to
extend their lead. After Tennessee's 2nd straight three and out of
the second half and a poor punt into the gusting wind the Bucs got
great field position and started in Titan territory. Tampa drove
49 yards for a TD in four plays to reagain the lead 10-9 on a
brilliantly executed drive culminating with a 19 yd TD pass from
Brad Johnson (19-29 160 yds 1 TD 1 INT) to Michael Pittman (11
receptions 72 yds)
Tennessee then chose to run exclusively and wait out the quarter in
an effort get the wind at their back before trying to mount an
offensive attack versus the vaunted Buccaneer secondary. In the 4th
quarter Steve McNair (15-27 172 yds 1 INT) hit Derrick Mason (3
receptions 68 yds) on deep route to set up Del Greco's fourth FG of
the day and give the Titans a 12-10 lead. One their next
possession, the fierce wind and the loss of Kerry Jenkins (G) made
it difficult for Tampa to move the ball despite Tennessee's loss of
All Pro cornerback Samari Rolle. After regaining possession on
their 14 the Titans used the long pass again to drive into position
for a 5th FG and a 15-10 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff Dwight Smith fumbled the ball into the arms
of a Titan defender for the second time that afternoon. Tennessee
became very conservative with the ball and was forced to punt from
the Buc 42 with dangerous returner Kevin Williams waiting, but the
Titans special teams was able to down the ball on the Tampa 2 yard
line with 3:47 to play. A 98 yard into the wind with a depleted
offensive line was a little too much to ask of Brad Johnson on
this particular day and Tampa eventually turned the ball over on
downs allowing Tennessee to run out the clock,
feeling
very fortunate to escape with victory.
----novel
contributed by Bill Baker
