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Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay
10/05/97 - Packers Win 21-16
Without knowledge of the eventual outcome, a study of the bare statistics from the Packers' matchup with Tampa Bay -- such as offensive yardage, number of offensive plays, average-gain-per-play and even time of possession -- might lead one to an inaccurate conclusion.
All of these numbers, in fact, did favor the Buccaneers -- all except the proverbial bottom line, the final score, which found the Green and Gold prevailing, 21-16, with all 21 points having come during the second quarter.
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| Freeman hauls in a 31-yard TD catch |
Quarterback Brett Favre was directly responsible for 14 of those points -- with substantial assistance from the defense. With the Packers in arrears 3-0 early in the second period, he produced their first score in the opening minute of the quarter after cornerback Tyrone Williams forced a fumble by the Bucs' Warrick Dunn and linebacker Brian Williams recovered at the Tampa Bay 35-yard line. On third-and-6, Favre did the rest, firing a strike to split end Antonio Freeman up the middle, who cantered into the end zone to complete a 31-yard collaboration, sending the Packers ahead for the first time.
Leading 7-3, they next found themselves in dire straits when Favre fumbled on a quarterback sneak in a third-and-one situation and the Bucs' Chidi Ahanotu recovered at the Green Bay 18-yard line.
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| Wilkins sacks Dilfer in the next series after running back an INT for a TD |
Defensive end Gabe Wilkins promptly came to the rescue with spectacular dispatch, intercepting a Dilfer pass intended for fullback Mike Alstott on first down and, vaulting over the lunging Dilfer on the getaway, rumbling 77 yards for a touchdown.
Late in the period, a determined Favre put together a 7-play, 50-yard drive to forge what proved to be the game's winning touchdown. With 9- and 11-yard passes to Dorsey Levens and a 17-yard throw to flanker Robert Brooks the major items en route, the Packers' young field general finished the project with a 6-yard strike to Freeman in the back of the end zone with only 44 seconds left in the half.
Although a 21-3 lead eventually proved sufficient for the Packers to carry the day, Dilfer made the last 30 minutes somewhat uncomfortable for the Green and Gold, presiding over a 7-play, 63-yard scoring drive in the third quarter with Alstott bulling over from one yard out to cap the march, and then guiding the Bucs 90 yards to another score early in the fourth period, Dunn scoring on 2-yard run over left guard.
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| Reggie welcomes Trent Dilfer to Lambeau Field |
With controlling the football and eating up the clock thus becoming highly significant factors, Favre took it upon himself to direct the offense to three consecutive first downs following the kickoff before being sacked twice to force a punt.
The Bucs then put together a pair of first downs of their own before the defense put a stop to their operations, linebacker Wayne Simmons -- with Tampa Bay in possession at the Green Bay 42-yard line -- breaking up a fourth down Dilfer pass to blunt the visitors' last threat.
As indicated, the statistics belonged to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers emerged with 68 offensive plays to the Packers' 52, with 372 yards of offense to the Packers' 234,with a 5.5-yard average-gain-per-play to the Packers 4.5, and with 34 minutes and 21 seconds in time of possession to the Packers' 25 minutes, 39 seconds.
Overall, Favre completed 21 of 31 passes for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns -- with no interceptions. The Bucs' Dilfer closed out his day with 16 of 29 attempts for 179 yards, with one interception.
Running back Dorsey Levens again was a major contributor to the Packers' attack, emerging with 105 yards of total offense -- 61 on 8 pass receptions and 44 on 13 rushing attempts.
Middle linebacker Bernardo Harris again made a major impact defensively, amassing 11 tackles to lead his platoon. Free safety Eugene Robinson weighed in with 10 stops, tackle Santa Dotson with 9 and cornerback Tyrone Williams with 8.
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Packers Radio Network with the call!
Freeman scores the first TD |
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Packers Radio Network with the call!
Wilkins takes in the INT |
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Packers Radio Network with the call!
Freeman scores the final TD |
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Gabe Wilkins talks about his touchdown run |
Scoring Summary
- 1st Quarter
- T.B.: 23 yard Husted FG (3:50)
- 2nd Quarter
- G.B.: 31 yard TD pass; Favre to Freeman (Longwell kick) (14:13)
- G.B.: 77 yard Wilkins INT (Longwell kick) (8:19)
- G.B.: 6 yard TD pass; Favre to Freeman (Longwell kick) (:44)
- 3rd Quarter
- T.B.: 1 yard Alstott TD run (Husted kick) (2:54)
- 4th Quarter
- T.B.: 2 yard Dunn TD run (2pt: Failed) (10:11)
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