TAMPA BAY, 28 October 2003 — Brad Johnson hooked up with Keyshawn Johnson for the only touchdown and Martin Gramatica booted three field goals to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 16-0 whitewash of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Gramatica hit from 24, 26 and 50 yards as the Bucs improved to 4-3. The Cowboys dropped to 5-2 following a run of five straight wins.
Tampa limited Dallas to 178 yards while piling up 261, running back Michael Pittman rambling for 113 yards on 30 carries.
It was payback time for the Buccaneers, who had twice been rebuffed in bids to sign new Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, the last time in January 2002. Gruden led Tampa to Super Bowl glory earlier this year.
Chiefs 38 Bills 5
In Kansas City, the Chiefs took advantage of seven Buffalo turnovers to pound the Bills 38-5 and run their record to 8-0. Kansas City has a league-leading 27 turnovers on the season. Priest Holmes scored three times, on four, 13 and 15-yard runs, and return specialist Dante Hall added another touchdown on a 67-yard pass play. The Chiefs are the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten franchise. The last three teams that started 8-0 went on to win the Super Bowl.
Giants 29 Vikings 17
In Minneapolis, the New York Giants scored twice in the final 5 1/2 minutes to down Minnesota 29-17, handing the Vikings (6-1) their first loss of the season.
Tiki Barber ran two yards for one Giants TD and Kerry Collins, who threw for 375 yards, hooked up with Ike Hilliard for the other, Hilliard’s second score of the afternoon. Daunte Culpepper twice found Randy Moss for Minnesota touchdowns.
Patriots 9 Browns 3
In Foxboro, Massachusetts, Adam Vinatieri kicked three field goals as the New England Patriots outlasted the Cleveland Browns 9-3 for their fourth victory in a row. Vinatieri booted 27, 28 and 38-yard field goals. Phil Dawson hit from 29 yards for the Browns on their only foray into New England territory. Bengals 27 Seahawks 24
In Cincinnati, former Seahawk Jon Kitna hooked up with Chad Johnson from 53 yards with 8:03 to play as the Bengals rallied to upset Seattle 27-24. Kitna hit Kelley Washington from eight yards for another score. Rudi Johnson, who ran for 101 yards, claimed Cincinnati’s other touchdown on an 18-yard scamper.
Bears 24 Lions 16
In Chicago, the Bears opened up a 24-0 third-quarter lead and hung on to overcome the Detroit Lions 24-16. Passer Chris Chandler found Justin Gage for Chicago’s first TD, with Jerry Azumah returning the second-half kickoff 89 yards for the deciding points. Joey Harrington went all the way at quarterback for Detroit, going 23-of-40 with a touchdown.
Ravens 26 Broncos 6
In Baltimore, NFL rush leader Jamal Lewis ran for 134 yards and a touchdown as the Ravens thumped the ailing Denver Broncos 26-6. Kyle Boller passed to Terry Jones for another Baltimore score. Matt Stover added four field goals, the longest from 39 yards.
Titans 30 Jaguars 17
In Jacksonville, Eddie George ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns to help the Tennessee Titans (6-2) record a 30-17 win over the lowly Jaguars (1-6). They were George’s second and third TDs of the season. Most Valuable Player candidate Steve McNair threw for 187 yards and another Tennessee score. Byron Leftwich passed to Jimmy Smith for a Jacksonville TD but was replaced after his third interception.
Rams 33 Steelers 21
In Pittsburgh, undrafted Arlen Harris scored on one, eight and nine-yard runs in his first NFL start as the St. Louis Rams defeated the slumping Steelers 33-21, handing the hosts their fourth straight loss.
Pittsburgh-born Marc Bulger, who finished with 375 pass yards, hooked up with favorite target Torry Holt for another St. Louis score.
Tommy Maddox found Hines Ward from nine and 22 yards for Pittsburgh TDs. The game, played in steady drizzle, was the 1,000th in Steelers history.
Panthers 23 Saints 20 (OT)
In New Orleans, John Kasay’s third field goal, a 31-yarder 4:36 into overtime, gave the Carolina Panthers (6-1) a 23-20 triumph over the Saints. Stephen Davis piled up 178 rush yards for Carolina while scoring twice on one-yard runs.
Eagles 24 Jets 17
In Philadelphia, the Eagles went ahead to stay with 6:42 to play on Donovan McNabb’s four-yard toss to Jon Ritchie in a 24-17 victory over the New York Jets. Correll Buckhalter ran for 100 yards and scored twice more for Philly. Vinny Testaverde hooked up with Santana Moss for an early Jets score before giving way to Chad Pennington, who threw for 154 yards but no TDs. It was Pennington’s first action of the season.
Colts 30 Texans 21
In Indianapolis, Peyton Manning found Reggie Wayne for two TDs and Marcus Pollard for a third as the Colts rallied from an early 14-3 deficit to defeat the Houston Texans 30-21. Houston rookie Domanick Davis ran for a game-high 109 yards and two touchdowns, Edgerrin James racking up 104 yards on the ground for the Colts.
Cardinals 16 49ers 13 (OT)
In Tempe, Arizona, Tim Duncan hoofed a 39-yard field goal five minutes into overtime as the Cardinals surprised the San Francisco 49ers 16-13. Duncan hit earlier from 53 and 20 yards. Marcel Shipp, replacing the injured Emmitt Smith, paced the Cards with a career-best 165 rush yards on 35 carries.
