Bucs pilfer a win

[Eagle091]

http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/11/13/sports/d_c_sports/001_all_skins.txt

Bucs pilfer a win

Late two-point conversion downs Redskins

By FRED GOODALL

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, November 13, 2005 9:50 PM EST

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Tampa Bay fullback Mike Alstott (40) leaps over the Washington defense to score during the first quarter Sunday. Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - Somehow, Mike Alstott found a way into the end zone on a gutsy 2-point conversion call by coach Jon Gruden.

Alstott’s run with 58 seconds remaining Sunday gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a stunning 36-35 victory over the Washington Redskins, who blocked a potential game-tying extra point, only to be penalized for being offside on the previous play.

Given new life, Gruden elected to try ending a two-game slide in dramatic fashion.

Everybody in the stadium knew who would get the ball, but the Redskins (5-4) could not stop the 248-pound fullback, who scored earlier on touchdown runs of 2 and 1 yards. Alstott was hit at the line and appeared stopped before twisting and keeping his legs moving to barely get into the end zone.

The conversion stood after the replay official’s review.

Chris Simms threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, including a 30-yarder to Edell Shepherd that set up the exciting finish. Joey Galloway had seven catches for 131 yards and one TD.

Clinton Portis ran for 144 yards and snapped a 28-28 tie with an 8-yard run midway through the fourth quarter. Mark Brunell threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns, and Ladell Betts scored on a 94-yard kickoff return for Washington.

The Bucs (6-3) surpassed their victory total for 2004 with Simms winning for the first time as a pro in a game he started and finished.

Simms threw a 4-yard TD pass to Ike Hilliard to finish a 70-yard drive that made it 28-28 late in the third quarter. He moved the Bucs 54 yards in five plays to put the game in Gruden’s hands at the end.