Bucs cruise to Patriots win
Quarterback McCown impresses in comfortable win for Tampa Bay
By Will Wood Last updated: 19th August 2008
New England Patriots continued their poor record against Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers cruised to a 27-10 win in their pre-season clash.
Quarterbacks Luke McCown and Brian Griese were particularly impressive, with the duo both recording long touchdown drives to overwhelm their opponents.
The Patriots were without Tom Brady, the quarterback remaining in New England as he recovers from the foot injury sustained against Baltimore Ravens last week, and his absence was felt as the home side dominated.
The Buccaneers opened with a 17-play drive that carried them over 80 yards and saw Earnest Graham run for a touchdown from a yard out.
McCown was then instrumental as he directed an eight-play, 86-yard charge which culminated in his one-yard pass to Byron Storer to make it 17-0.
The Patriots had no answer to their opponents slick play, their woes compounded by strong safety Brandon Meriweather's exit through injury as Michael Bennett and Sabby Piscitelli helped the hosts extend their lead.
Stephen Gostkowski converted a 53-yard field goal late on in the first-half while Heath Evans added a further one-yard run for the Patriots, though it was scant consolation for a side comprehensively beaten to continue a poor pre-season record against their opponents.
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