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Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay
12/7/98 - Packers lose 24-22
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| Dotson and White close in on Dilfer |
Two long and uncharacteristic scoring strikes by the Buccaneers, coupled with a costly turnover which led to Tampa Bay's third and final touchdown in the fourth quarter, loomed large in the Packers' losing "debut" at Raymond James Stadium.
Another contributing factor was an active Tampa Bay defense which sacked quarterback Brett Favre 8 times for 34 yards in losses and forced 8 Packers fumbles overall.
The Packers actually stepped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, capping a 12-play, 52-yard drive with a 33-yard Ryan Longwell field goal. But the Bucs, displaying an unexpected "home run" capacity, quickly retaliated, reaching the end zone in just three plays. The third and climactic maneuver was a 64-yard, pass-run collaboration between Tampa Bay quarterback Trent Dilfer and rookie wideout Jacquez Green, who streaked into the end zone untouched.
A similar strike, a 62-yard hookup between Dilfer and wide receiver Bert Emanuel, staked the Buccaneers to a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter.
At this point, the Packers responded with a 54-yard drive of their own, climaxed by a 36-yard Longwell field goal which cut Tampa Bay's lead to 14-6 at halftime.
The principals matched field goals in the third quarter, Michael Husted delivering a 46-yarder in the sixth minute of the period to erect a 17-6 Tampa Bay lead and Longwell offsetting that effort with a 35-yard success five minutes later.
Then, after being largely frustrated offensively for the better part of three quarters, during which they settled for three field goals, the Packers suddenly found the formula. A 22-yard Favre pass to tight end Tyrone Davis was the catalyst, followed by a 21-yard pitch to wideout Derrick Mayes, which carried the Packers to the Tampa Bay 17-yard line.
Subsequently, facing third-and-9, Favre hit Mayes for an 11-yard gain down the left side. Two plays later, he found tight end Mark Chmura in the end zone with a four-yard bullseye. The Packers came up short, however, on a bid for a two-point conversion and a tie when a pass to Mayes at the goal line was ruled incomplete, leaving the Packers two points down, 17-15.
(185K) | Packers Radio Network with the call!
Favre finds Chmura in the end zone! |
The Packers quickly forced a punt following the kickoff but Derrick Mayes, after snaring a Favre pass, fumbled on the drive's second play when tackled by cornerback Ronde Barber, fellow defender Donnie Abraham recovering at the Green Bay 47.
Staying largely on the ground, the Buccaneers strung together four consecutive first downs to reach the Green Bay a 6-yard line. On second-down, Dilfer pass was incomplete but, on third down, the Tampa Bay field general scrambled a pass drop and, springing a surprise on the Packers' defense, cantered into end zone untouched. Husted's conversion put Tampa Bay up, 24-15, with only 6:01 remaining in the game.
Although things did not look promising, the Packers were far from finished. Following the kickoff, Favre escorted them 80 yards in 12 plays for a final Green Bay touchdown, finding Chmura in the end zone with a one-yard pass. Longwell's conversion trimmed Tampa Bay's lead to 24-22 with 2:20 left.
(185K) | Packers Radio Network with the call!
Favre finds Chmura again! |
Bent upon running out the clock, the Bucs ran off five consecutive running plays, posting one first down before being forced to punt.
The Packers, taking over at their own 20-yard line with 16 seconds to play and no timeouts, picked up 25 yards with a pair of passes to fullback William Henderson. On the series' third play, however, Favre was sacked by a heavy Tampa Bay rush and time expired before he could run another play.
Thought it may be small consolation, the Packers had the better of it statistically, outgaining the Bucs, 334 yards to 283, running off 71 offensive plays to their 54 and possessing the football for 32 minutes, 8 seconds, compared to 27 minutes, 52 seconds for Tampa Bay.
Despite persistent, game-long pressure, Favre managed to complete 29 of 41 passes for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Sharing the wealth, he spread the football among nine different receivers. Henderson, with 8 catches for 31 yards, was his most frequent target. Chmura was next up with 6 receptions for 46 yards, followed by Mayes with 3 for 35 yards.
Darick Holmes emerged as the Packers' leading rusher for the fourth straight game, gaining 47 yards in 12 carries. He also caught 3 passes for 24 additional yards.
Linebacker Brian Williams led a grudging Green Bay defense, amassing 11 tackles, 9 of them solo. Strong safety LeRoy Butler weighed in with 8 stops, followed by middle linebacker Bernardo Harris with 7.
Scoring Summary
- 1st Quarter
- GBP: 33 yard Longwell FG (2:50)
- TBB: 64 yard TD pass; Dilfer to Green (Husted kick) (1:13)
- 2nd Quarter
- TBB: 62 yard TD pass; Dilfer to Emanuel (Husted kick) (13:16)
- GBP: 36 yard Longwell FG (3:57)
- 3rd Quarter
- TBB:25 yard Husted FG (9:42)
- GBP: 35 yard Longwell FG (4:33)
- 4th Quarter
- GBP: 4 yard TD pass; Favre to Chmura (13:39)
- TBB: 6 yard TD run; Dilfer (Husted kick) (11:48)
- GBP: 1 yard TD pass; Favre to Chmura (Longwell kick) (2:25)
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