Buccaneers Defense Keys Victory Over Rams

Buccaneers 24, Rams 3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham (34) celebrates with the Buccaneers' Alex Smith following Graham's touchdown during the fourth quarter of their football game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Scott Audette) (Scott Audette - AP)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Week by week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are building a new identity on defense. Hard-hitting safety Jermaine Phillips and reserve cornerback Phillip Buchanon intercepted passes as the revamped Bucs throttled St. Louis' struggling offense and routed the Rams 24-3 on Sunday.

Seldom-used running back Earnest Graham entered the game in the fourth quarter and scored on runs of 8 and 28 yards for Tampa Bay (2-1). Carnell "Cadillac" Williams rushed for a 7-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Matt Bryant kicked a short field goal in a brief but intense rainstorm to give the Bucs a 3-0 lead at the half.

St. Louis (0-3) remained winless despite finally getting Steven Jackson involved in an offense that's suddenly found it difficult to score points. The fourth-year running back had 115 yards on 30 carries and caught four passes for 18 yards.

The Bucs defense followed up a strong performance in a lopsided victory over New Orleans with an even more impressive outing, limiting Marc Bulger to 116 yards passing and holding Pro Bowl receiver Torry Holt to less than 100 yards receiving for the first time in five meetings between the teams.

Bulger completed 17 of 26 passes and was intercepted three times. Holt finished with five receptions for 63 yards after averaging nearly nine catches and 142 yards in four previous games against the Bucs.

After Jackson averaged 3 yards per carry and 59 yards a game in the first two weeks, the Rams were determined to get him on track. He carried 18 times for 63 yards in the first half, and rookie fullback Brian Leonard averaged 5.3 yards on four attempts when Bulger wasn't handing off to his star runner.

The success on the ground enabled St. Louis to dominate time of possession. But it was not reflected on the scoreboard after Jeff Wilkins hooked a 42-yard field goal wide left with two minutes left in the half.

With driving rain fast approaching, Jeff Garcia marched the Bucs into field goal range with completions of 15 yards to Ike Hilliard, 12 yards to Michael Clayton and 11 yards to Alex Smith. Most of Tampa Bay's players had already scurried into the locker room before Bryant made the 27-yarder to snap the scoreless tie.

Williams' TD made it 10-0 early in the third quarter, and the Bucs defense made the lead stand until Graham took over.

Phillips' interception stopped one promising St. Louis drive in the second quarter. Buchanon's end zone interception on Bulger's lob throw intended for Drew Bennett ruined a long march that reached the Bucs' 10 with help from a pair of 15-yard penalties on defenders Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber.

Wilkins hit the upright on a 43-yard field goal try on the last play of the third quarter, but the Rams got another chance to get back in the game when Williams fumbled on the next play and Oshiomogho Atogwe recovered.

St. Louis turned the mistake into a 25-yard field goal from Wilkins. But the Rams saw any chance for a comeback fade when Graham, who finished with 75 yards on eight carries, scored on Tampa Bay's next two possessions.

The Rams lost receiver Isaac Bruce for a portion of the game when he was tackled by Phillips after a reception in the second quarter. Bruce fumbled on the play, but Bucs defensive end Kevin Carter had lined up offside and Buchanon's 30-yard return for an apparent touchdown was nullified by the penalty.

Garcia completed 14 of 22 passes for 151 yards and no interceptions. Joey Galloway had four receptions for 42 yards after having four for 135 yards and two TDs the previous week against New Orleans.