Bucs score on kickoff return for first time
It took 32 seasons and 1,865 tries, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finally scored on a kickoff return.
Micheal Spurlock returned a first-quarter kick 90 yards for a TD for a 14-3 lead against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Tampa, Fla. He fielded the kick from Michael Koenen at his 10, burst through a huge opening in the middle of the field and cut up the right sideline to the end zone untouched.
A total of 141 players have run back kicks since Tampa Bay’s inaugural season in 1976. The previous long for a return was 86 yards by Aaron Stecker against New Orleans in 2001.
Before Sunday, Tampa Bay’s kickoff returns had covered 37,395 yards, or more than 21 miles.
The Bucs have returned 10 punts for touchdowns.
Brrrrrrowns win in blizzard-like conditions
Even Santa Claus shivered.
Blizzard-like conditions blanketed the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills during their crucial game at Cleveland as a severe winter storm pounded the Lake Erie shoreline with heavy snow and swirling winds.
The temperature was 30 degrees at kickoff, and with wind gusts hitting 40 mph, Browns Stadium was transformed into a super-sized snow globe to showcase Cleveland’s 8-0 victory. As the Browns huddled for warmth near space heaters by their bench, jolly ol’ St. Nick braved the elements a few feet away.
“It looked like something I saw on the Discovery Channel, like something about the North Pole,” said Bills rookie running back Marshawn Lynch.
Unable to get any traction, players slipped and slid all over the field and officials had difficulty spotting the ball in the blustery conditions. Punts and passes were adventures as anything not grounded was quickly blown off-target.
“It wasn’t the coldest conditions I’ve ever played in,” said Browns kicker Phil Dawson, who managed to push two field goals through. “But it was the toughest.”
Packers fans help Rams fill stadium
It took the Green Bay Packers to sell out a St. Louis Rams game.
Much of the capacity crowd at Edward Jones Dome clearly rooted for the visiting team. Cheeseheads were everywhere and perhaps half the stadium was clad in Packers’ green and yellow, helping the visitors feel right at home in a 33-14 victory.
“It’s a joke,” running back Steven Jackson said. “The whole first level is Green Bay Packers’ fans. It’s a joke. We were at Lambeau Field.”
It likely felt that way to the Rams, who have had three games blacked out on local television because they did not sell out. St. Louis is 1-6 at home and 3-11 overall with two games to go, challenging a 4-12 record in 1998 for the worst season since the franchise moved to the Midwest in 1995.