The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a bad case of victory-itis. The Bucs, hopeful that it’s a 16-week virus, have no need to seek medical attention.
Winning has become contagious in Tampa, where the Bucs, owners of an NFL-record 14 consecutive losing seasons, now have a team-record five-game winning streak, dating back to last season.
Tampa Bay moved to 4-0 this season with a 31-21 victory Sunday over the Miami Dolphins before a record crowd of 73,314.
The Bucs certainly left an impression.
“It was important for us to play like that in front of a packed house and on national TV,” Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks said. “We just wanted to show people we are for real.”
Jimmy Johnson, who spurned the Bucs to become the Dolphins’ head coach 20 months ago, might wish to reconsider his decision. The Bucs are the NFC’s only undefeated team and one of four in the NFL.
The Dolphins (2-2), meanwhile, are struggling to keep their heads above water.
“They run the football well,” Johnson said. “They pass well. They play defense very well, and they make things happen. They have an outstanding team.”
Johnson has long been a critic of Bucs quarterback Trent Dilfer. In fact, he took a not-so-subtle shot at Dilfer soon after taking the Miami job by mentioning that his belief in Dan Marino was a reason he did not seriously consider the Bucs.
While Johnson’s words briefly stung Dilfer, he came loaded with sticks and stones.
“I have a ton of respect for Jimmy Johnson,” Dilfer said. “If I didn’t have Tony Dungy as head coach, I’d want Jimmy Johnson. He came up to me before the game and talked to me and I said, `Everything you said about me was fair.’ “
On an electric night at Houlihan’s Stadium, Dilfer provided the most spectacular show. Despite a hyperextended left knee, Dilfer completed 18 of 24 passes for 248 yards and a career-best four touchdowns. He outplayed Marino, the NFL’s all-time leading passer, who was 24 of 37 for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
“I thought Trent played fantastic,” Bucs coach Tony Dungy said. “He was pretty flawless. It was just a really solid game by our offense when we needed it.”
Bucs punter Tommy Barnhardt was the loneliest guy in the stadium. Miami couldn’t stop the Bucs, so Tampa never had to punt.
The Bucs scored on five of their eight possessions and took a knee on two others to run out the clock. On the other, Dilfer was picked off by linebacker Zach Thomas, ending a streak of 91 regular-season attempts without an interception.
