Monday, December 03, 2001
Bengals Report Card
Buccaneers 16, Bengals 13
Rushing offense, C: The Bengals did rush for 86 yards, their highest total in the four-game losing streak. The Bengals did a better job of getting Corey Dillon involved and reached the magical 22-carry number. Dillon had 23 carries for 79 yards, and the Bengals came in 16-5 when Dillon gets 22 or more attempts. Dillon said the loss was his fault for the overtime fumble at the 3-yard line, which set up Martin Gramatica's winning field goal.
Passing offense, D: There were some flashes of hope on the opening drive and the last possession, but between a first- and fourth-quarter field goals, the Bengals had seven consecutive possessions that resulted in five punts, one blocked punt and an interception. Jon Kitna was sacked three times, threw an interception, was good on only 50 percent of his passes and completed only one pass for more than 15 yards, 19 yards to Darnay Scott. Dillon ran through two tacklers to get into the end zone on the six-yard TD pass.
Rushing defense, A: For the second consecutive game, the rush defense was strong. Tampa Bay, which came in 29th in the league in rushing, gained just 65 yards on 30 carries, for a 2.2-yard average. Warrick Dunn ran 21 times for a 2-yard average.
Passing defense, B: The Bengals recorded six sacks, which helped their young cornerbacks deal with a hot-handed Brad Johnson. The Tampa Bay quarterback completed his first 14 passes in a row and threw for 231 yards. Keyshawn Johnson and Jacquez Green each had seven receptions, but the Bucs failed to score an offensive touchdown. Bengals defensive backs delivered several hard hits, especially one by safety JoJuan Armour in overtime.
Special teams, D: Tampa Bay's only touchdown was scored when Ronde Barber blocked a Nick Harris punt, which was returned 11 yards by Todd Yoder. Neil Rackers made his only two field goal attempts, and the coverage and return teams outplayed the Bucs' -- but the blocked punt cost the game.
Coaching, B: Coach Dick LeBeau's team never gave up and scored 10 points in the final 4:29 to force overtime. Coordinator Mark Duffner's defense continues to play well, and the Bengals have become a force against the run. The defense has allowed just two touchdowns in the past three games. However, Bob Bratkowski's offense went seven consecutive drives without any production, and his call to run Dillon wide on second down from the 1-yard line on the first drive lost four yards.
-- Mark Curnutte
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