Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20,Tennessee Titans 17

By Mike Medina  |   Friday, August 12, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Tennessee Titans 20-17 on a 33-yard field goal in overtime. Rob Bironas, the Titans kicker, made a 53-yard field goal with 19 seconds left that tied the game at 17 and forced overtime. However, the game ball clearly goes to Buccaneers' kicker Matt Bryant who split the uprights to finalize the game.

This game marked a true test for quarterback Steve McNair who is coming off a surgically repaired sternum. McNair missed half of the 2004 season with a damaged sternum that made breathing painful. Doctors fixed the problem by grafting a sliver of bone from his right hip to his chest. Ouch! McNair then spent the off-season working out and dropped 25 pounds before training camp. During the game, he scrambled several times and even took a few hits. Steve McNair was 7 of 10 for 67 yards passing with one interception.

The Tennessee Titan's preseason opener also saw action from running back's Travis Henry and, former University of Miami Star, Jarrett Payton. There is no comparison between Henry and Payton in terms of on-field success at the pro level. However, Payton is coming off of a very productive NFL Europe season and will be competing for playing time.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had solid performances from their promising young quarterback, Chris Simms. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 54-yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Other key stats:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brian Griese 1/2 6-yards
Edell Shepherd 3 REC 14-yards
Michael Clayton 1 RED 16-yards

Tennessee Titans
Steve McNair 7/10 67-yards 1-INT
Travis Henry 4 ATT 67-yards
Jarrett Payton 10 ATT 37-yards
Roydell Williams 2 REC 85-yards 1-TD
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