Aqib Talib's two interceptions leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Arizona Cardinals
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned big defensive plays into a 38-35 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, 31 October. Arizona quarterback Max Hall threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns
in the first-half leading to his being replaced by Derek Anderson.
How it happened
Bucs linebacker Gerald Hayes ran an interception in for a touchdown in the first quarter, and Aqib Talib ran one of his two interceptions back for a touchdown in the second quarter as the Bucs jumped out
to a 24-14 lead going into half-time.
Besides quarterbacks Hall and Anderson combining for four interceptions on the day, it didn't help that Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman was in fine form, completing 18 of his 25 passes for 278 yards, including
a 47-yard bomb to Mike Williams for a touchdown.
LaGarrette Blount was also efficient in moving the sticks on offence for the Buccaneers as he amassed 120 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns.
The Cardinals did mount a bit of a comeback with receiver Larry Fitzgerald catching two touchdown passes and Steve Breaston, who was back after being out with an injury, catching eight passes for 147
yards on the day.
The Cardinals even had the lead 35-31 in the fourth quarter before Blount got his second touchdown of the day to give the Bucs the lead for good. From there, the Bucs defence forced two more interceptions
to preserve the victory.
What they're saying
Talib chalked up his successful day to lady luck: "It was just one of them days, right place at the right time."
After pulling Hall at quarterback and replacing him with Anderson, many are left wondering who coach Ken Whisenhunt would start in the team's next game.
"I'm not going to have any decisions on that right now," he said. "The one thing I'll tell you is we're not getting what we need out of the quarterback position."
What it all means
The Cardinals now drop to 3-4 with the St. Louis Rams pulling in front of them into second place in the NFC South. They next head north to Minnesota to take on the Vikings next Sunday, 7 November.
Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris said during the week that his team was the best in the NFC, and after improving to 5-2 he's partially right as they share top spot in the conference with the Atlanta Falcons
and New York Giants. Top spot will be very much up for grabs when they head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons next Sunday.
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