Buccaneers’ Bryant boots a beauty

TAMPA, Fla. – Matt Bryant nailed a 62-yard field goal – the third-longest in NFL history – to give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers an improbable 23-21 last-second victory over Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The kick ruined a gallant comeback engineered by McNabb after the Bucs built a 17-0 lead, mostly on the strength of two interceptions that Ronde Barber returned for touchdowns.

It was the longest of Bryant’s career by 12 yards, and came on just his third attempt of 50 or more yards in five seasons.

Tom Dempsey and Jason Elam share the league record for the longest field goal – 63 yards. The only other kickers who have been successful from beyond 59 yards are Steve Cox and Morten Andersen, who both booted 60-yarders.

Barber scored on a 37-yard return early in the second quarter and put the Bucs up 17-0 with a 66-yard TD with just over five minutes remaining in the third.

McNabb rallied the Eagles, throwing one of his three late TD passes after Philadelphia was forced to take a timeout when the quarterback became ill and started throwing up between plays.

With the Bucs defense missing four tackles, Brian Westbrook scored on a 52-yard reception to put Philadelphia ahead 21-20 with 33 seconds remaining.

But Tampa Bay wasn’t finished.

Rookie Bruce Gradkowski drove the Bucs in position for Bryant, who has struggled from beyond 40 yards this season. The ball cleared the crossbar with plenty of room to spare, setting off a wild celebration.