Saints Fumble Away Game

Tampa Bay 27, New Orleans 23

New Orleans wide receiver Devery Henderson (19) grabs a touchdown pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson (28) in the first half of their NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon - AP)

NEW ORLEANS -- A botched trick play may have cost the New Orleans Saints their season. Devery Henderson fumbled a late, awkward toss from Reggie Bush, allowing backup quarterback Luke McCown to drive Tampa Bay for a touchdown with 17 seconds left that lifted the Buccaneers to a 27-23 victory on Sunday.

The winning score was a quick 4-yard pass to Jerramy Stevens, who had to outleap Jason Craft to make the catch.

The victory gave Tampa Bay (8-4) a comfortable three-game lead in the NFC South Division with only four games left, while the Saints (5-7) probably have to win out to even have a chance at a wild-card berth.

The Saints may have thought they got a break when Tampa Bay starter Jeff Garcia was kept out of the game with a bruised lower back.

Making his first start for Tampa Bay and fifth of his career, McCown had other ideas. He completed his first 15 passes and wound up 29-of-37 for 313 yards and two touchdowns.

The Saints appeared to seize control of the game when defensive end Will Smith sacked McCown for a safety that gave New Orleans a 23-20 lead with 3:44 to go. Tampa Bay was already down to one time out, so a couple of first downs might have put it away.

But on second down at midfield, Saints coach Sean Payton called for a reverse. Bush had trouble with the handoff, then his pitch was a little late and off target. Henderson reached for it but couldn't bring it in, and the ball squirted away from him when he tried to dive on it.

Jovan Haye recovered for Tampa Bay at the Saints 37.

Tampa Bay was quickly faced with a fourth-and-1 at the Saints' 28. Bucs head coach Jon Gruden first sent out his field goal team to go for he tie, then called them back and sent the offense out again. Earnest Graham gained a couple yards to extend the drive, then caught a pass over the middle for a 21-yard gain to the 5 with just over a minute to go, setting up the winning score.

It was a bitter ending for the Saints, who were outplayed most of the game but made big plays to pull ahead on the scoreboard. Mike McKenzie returned an interception 53 yards for a score. Quarterback Drew Brees had a 45-yard touchdown pass to Henderson, who outran double coverage and made a diving catch in the back of the end zone.

Brees finished 17-of-23 passing for 179 yards and two touchdowns. His 40-yard completion to Marques Colston on a flea flicker set up a 4-yard TD pass to Terrance Copper.

Even beyond his involvement in the failed reverse, Reggie Bush did not make much of a contribution. He rushed for 64 yards on 13 carries and appeared to be in pain after a heavy hit to his ribs in the second half.

Tamp Bay's Graham had the best day among the running backs with 106 yards on 22 carries.

Joey Galloway continued to torment New Orleans' secondary as he did early this season. His receptions of 41 and 60 yards set up first-half scores. He finished with seven catches for 159 yards.

Tampa Bay had 466 total yards, far better than New Orleans' 246, but nearly lost because two early drives ended with Matt Bryant's field goals of 27 and 31 yards, and another drive ended with a missed field goal.