It's over.
For more on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, visit the team's Web site. |
Not just the game against the Atlanta Falcons, which the Buccaneers lost 20-10, but the brutal season that saw the Bucs reach heights of non-achievement not seen since 1991, when they were also 3-13..
Any hopes that Tampa Bay fans might see a glorious finale evaporated in the second quarter, where the Bucs (3-13) blew a 3-0 lead gained on Connor Barth's 36-yard field goal after Atlanta fumbled the opening kickoff.
The Falcons tied the game on a field goal in the second quarter, then scored a touchdown with four seconds left in the half for a 10-3 lead.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Bucs tied the game in the fourth quarter on a Josh Freeman pass, giving the people hope. But then the Falcons came back with a touchdown and finally a field goal to seal it with 1:05 left in the game.
Freeman, the Buccaneers' quarterback, threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter that hurt the Bucs' cause, and the defeat has left fans wondering if rookie coach Raheem Morris will be back next year or if the ownership will go in a new direction.
About the only consolation is that it's over, and fans can watch other NFL teams fight it out for the chance to play in Miami in the Super Bowl.