Bucs drop Bears 26-15

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a much needed victory here in Chicago as Martin Gramatica's 4 field goals and great special teams play spurred them on. Sheldon Quarles' 38 yard blocked punt return for a touchdown put Tampa up 7-0 in the first. From there both teams field goal kicker's were the focal point as they exchanged kicks throughout the next two quarters. When Paul Edinger nailed a chip shot 23 yarder early in the 4th it was 16-12 Tampa. Brad Johnson (12-20, 109 yards) struggled against a tough Bears defense but came up huge midway through the final quarter. Johnson fires 32 yards to Keenan McCardell for the game's first offensive touchdown and it gave Tampa its biggest lead of the day, 23-12. Edinger got the Bears within 8 with his 5th field goal but Gramatica iced the game with just under two minutes to play nailing a 50 yarder. The Bucs were managed only 173 total yards on the day and were out gained in almost every category except for the one that counted. The scoreboard. Final from Soldier field, Tampa Bay 26, Chicago 15. --submitted by Barry Smalley--