Bucs beat Cleveland for only road win of season

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12/24/2006 - Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michael Pittman ran for 86 yards and a touchdown, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers battered Cleveland, 22-7.

Derrick Brooks returned an interception for a touchdown for the Buccaneers (4-11), who snapped a four-game losing streak. Tim Rattay, making his first start of the season, went 16-for-26 with 212 yards and was picked off once for Tampa Bay, which secured its first road win since winning at Carolina, December 11, 2005.

Derek Anderson had a tough day as he went 10-for-27 with just 123 yards and was intercepted four times for Cleveland. Reuben Droughns carried the ball 19 times for 92 yards for the Browns (4-11), who have dropped their last three games.

After stopping the Browns on their first possession, the Buccaneers marched the ball down the field and capped off a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ate up over six minutes of the clock with a 23-yard field goal by Matt Bryant for a 3-0 lead with 7:05 left in the first quarter.

Tampa Bay threatened on its first drive of the second quarter when the team got the ball deep in Cleveland territory, but with the ball at the nine-yard line on a 4th-and-1, Mike Alstott was stuffed for no gain and Cleveland got the ball back.

However, Jermaine Phillips picked off a pass by Anderson and six plays later Bryant punched a 24-yard field goal through the uprights for a 6-0 lead with 6:18 left in the first half.

The Buccaneers scored on their first possession of the second half when Pittman took the ball around the right end and into the end zone from 11 yards out to complete a nine-play, 74-yard drive less than six minutes in. The extra point attempt was blocked and Tampa Bay led 12-0.

The Browns almost got on the scoreboard on their next possession, but a 31- yard field goal attempt by Phil Dawson was blocked by Jeb Terry.

After stopping Tampa Bay on its next possession Cleveland got the ball back, but a pass by Anderson was picked off by Brooks and he rumbled into the end zone from 21 yards out for a 19-0 lead 48 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Cleveland finally got on the scoreboard, but not with its offense as Kamerion Wimbley sacked Rattay, who coughed the ball up and Daven Holly grabbed it and took it into the end zone from 40 yards out to make it a 19-7 game with 11:33 to play.

A 37-yard field goal by Bryant with 5:46 to play capped the scoring.

Game Notes

Tampa Bay hosts Seattle next Sunday and Cleveland travels to Houston to wrap up the season...Tampa Bay outgained Cleveland, 355-187...Alstott finished the game with 22 carries for 56 yards...Tampa Bay held the ball for 37:16 while Cleveland only had the ball for 22:44...Phillips had two interceptions in the game.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
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"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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