TAMPA BAY, 26 November 2003 — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged the New York Giants 19-13 in an error-filled contest on Monday to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
“Our players know if we’re going to have a chance to compete in the playoffs, we’re going to have to get our act together and win this game,” Tampa coach Jon Gruden said prior to kick off.
The Buccaneers, who went 12-4 in 2002 on their way to their first Super Bowl championship, delivered for only the fifth time against six defeats this season, notching just their second home victory.
The loss left the Giants — who were 10-6 a year ago — at 4-7 and seemingly out of postseason contention. Neither team was at its best, New York turning over the ball four times and the Bucs three as they also combined for 14 penalties.
However, replacement wide receiver Charles Lee never looked like spilling the ball when he scored the winning points after hauling in a Brad Johnson pass late in the first half to scamper 53 yards.
Johnson went 22-for-32 for 269 yards, with Keenan McCardell snagging nine of those passes for 83 yards.
The mistakes began early.
Giants running back Tiki Barber and quarterback Kerry Collins got their signals crossed midway through the first quarter, New York spilling the ball near midfield.
Although the Bucs were unable to score from that opportunity, they did get on the board three and a half minutes into the second quarter, when Thomas Jones went over the top from a yard out.
However, Tampa turned over the ball on its next series and the Giants started a drive from their own 40-yard line before settling for Matt Bryant’s 30-yard field goal.
The Bucs came right back on their next possession, Johnson finding Lee for his first touchdown as a Buccaneer to make it 14-3.
Collins had a career-best 22-yard run to put the Giants in Tampa territory just before the break, but then fumbled a few plays later to end the threat.
The Bucs turned over the ball again early in the third quarter, leading to another Giants field goal before Tampa Bay got one of their own later in the period to move 17-6 ahead.
