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Bucs Fall To Broncos, 16-13

Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Jeff Garcia was forced into action today when Brian Griese was injured and was effective in defeat.

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TBO.com

Published: October 5, 2008

Updated: 10/05/2008 07:07 pm

Jay Cutler led Denver's ball-control offense to perfection, helping the Broncos past the Bucs, 16-13, Sunday afternoon.

The Bucs' Jeff Garcia, in for an injured Brian Griese, hit Ike Hilliard for a 7-yard touchdown to cut Denver's lead to 16-13 just before the two-minute warning.

The Bucs tried a deep pooch kick afterwards, but the Broncos recovered on their own 14.

One of several lengthy Broncos drives gave Denver a 16-6 lead early in the fourth quarter. Cutler led the 11-play drive, culminating in Matt Prater's third field goal, from 27 yards, to build a 16-6 lead for the Broncos.

Denver picked up its pass rush in the second half, and Griese and Garcia paid the price. Garcia is in at quarterback in place of Griese, who was knocked from the game on a hit from Broncos' cornerback Champ Bailey.

Cutler connected with Brandon Stokley for a 10-yard touchdown, giving the Broncos a 13-6 lead with 5:41 to play in the third quarter.

Former Buc Michael Pittman played a key role for Denver on the scoring drive, breaking loose for a 16-yard run deep into Tampa territory.

Garcia cane in for an injured Griese for the Bucs in a 6-6 tie in the third quarter.

Griese took the hit from an unblocked Bailey as he was throwing in the shadow of the Bucs' end zone. Garcia came in on 3rd and long, completing a short pass.

Griese and Jay Cutler took turns leading methodical drives downfield as the Bucs and Broncos were tied, 6-6, at halftime.

Griese completed 10 of 13 passes, including three each to Earnest Graham and the much-maligned Michael Clayton. Warrick Dunn has been perhaps the Bucs' most valuable weapon, carrying seven times for 68 yards, including a 34-yarder to set up Matt Bryant's first field goal.

Cutler took what the Bucs defense gave him, driving the Broncos to another Matt Prater field goal and a 6-3 lead late in the first half.

Cutler completed 12 of 17 passes in the first half, but for just 103 yards as Monte Kiffin's Cover 2 defense has largely taken away the deep option.

The Broncos answered the Bucs' field-goal drive with a scoring march of their own, Matt Prater connecting from 55 yards in the thin mountain air for a 3-3 tie early in the second quarter.

Bryant capped an impressive opening drive for the Bucs at Invesco Field, hitting a 33-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 4:28 left in the first quarter.

Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn alternated at running back for the Bucs, who drove methodically down the field before stalling after incompleted passes.

Davin Joseph made his season debut at guard for the Bucs, while Joey Galloway and Sabby Piscitelli missed the game.

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