Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions 
LOSS - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 03 Detroit Lions 20
The biggest news going into the game was the benching of quarterback Trent Dilfer. Back-up Eric Zeier was named the starter for week 8. On Sunday Night Football, the Buccaneers visited the Detroit Lions.
Trailing 17–3 late in the third quarter, the Buccaneers appeared to reach the endzone and shift the game's momentum. Warrick Dunn caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Zeier, and the team lined up for the extra point, and a certain 17–10 score. With only ten men on the field, and confusion among the Buccaneers players, a delay of game penalty was incurred. During the delay, the Lions sidelines took the opportunity to throw the challenge flag, and the touchdown was reviewed. The replay showed Dunn was down at the one-yard line, and play continued. Moments later, Mike Alstott fumbled away the ball at the 2, and the Lions recovered. A field goal off the turnover sealed the game for Detroit.
GAMEDAY BRIEF
OFFICALS
- REFEREE: Larry Nemmers
- UMPIRE: Neil Gereb
- LINE JUDGE: Charles Stewart
- SIDE JUDGE: Tom Fincken
- HEAD LINESMAN: Dale Williams
- BACK JUDGE: Bill Schmitz
- FIELD JUDGE: Paul Baetz
- REPLAY OFFICAL: not documented
SCORING
- LIONS: 12:59-2Q Hanson FG47
- BUCCANEERS: 08:02-2Q Gramatica FG49
- LIONS: 04:52-2Q Irvin 2 run (Hanson kick)
- LIONS: 14:54-3Q Aldridge 21 fumble return (Hanson kick)
- LIONS: 11:34-4Q Hanson FG50
STARTERS OFFENSE
- WR: #85 R. Anthony
- LT: #74 P. Gruber
- LG: #64 J. Diaz
- C: #61 T. Mayberry
- RG: #73 F. Middleton
- RT: #71 J. Wunsch
- TE: #83 D. Moore
- WR: #81 J. Green
- QB: #15 E. Zeier
- TE: #28 W. Dunn
- FB: #40 M. Alstott
STARTERS DEFENSE
- LE: #72 C. Ahanotu
- LT: #77 B. Culpepper
- UT: #99 W. Sapp
- RE: #94 S. White
- SLB: #53 S. Quarles
- MLB: #56 H. Nickerson
- WLB: #55 D. Brooks
- LCB: #21 D. Abraham
- RCB: #20 R. Barber
- SS: #47 J. Lynch
- FS: #24 D. Robinson
SUBSTITUTIONS
- 3 Royals, 7 Gramatica, 25 Kelly, 27 Abdullah, 30 Smith, 31 Young, 34 Jackson, 50 Gooch, 51 Singleton, 58 Davis, 59 Duncan, 65 Dogins, 68 Unutoa, 69 Pierson, 78 Jones, 80 Davis, , 82 Hape, 84 McDonald, 88 Murphy, 92 McFarland, 97 Jackson
DID NOT PLAY
- 12 Dilfer, 75 Washington
INACTIVE
- 10 King, 33 Vance, 43 McLeod, 70 Odom, 86 Williams, 87 Emanuel, 95 McLaughlin, 98 Cannida
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
- BUCCANEERS: Dunn 9-33, Alstott 10-32, Zeier 3-7.
- LIONS: Hill 16-123, Batch 5-15, Irvin 2-5, Schlesinger 1-4.
PASSING
- BUCCANEERS: Zeier 44-29-256-0-0.
- LIONS: Batch 19-10-128-0-0.
RECIEVING
- BUCCANEERS: Dunn 11-77, Green 7-96, Murphy 4-28, Anthony 2-14, Hape 2-6, Alstott 1-16, McDonald 1-11, Abdullah 1-8.
- LIONS: Morton 3-54, Sloan 2-36, Irvin 2-19, Schlesinger 1-9, Crowell 1-8, Stablein 1-2.
INTERCEPTIONS
- BUCCANEERS: none.
- LIONS: none.
KICK RETURNS
- BUCCANEERS: Murphy 2-36.
- LIONS: Fair 1-23, Olivo 1-14.
PUNT RETURNS
- BUCCANEERS: Green 2-22.
- LIONS: Uweazuoke 1-17.
SACKS
- BUCCANEERS: Jackson 1-8, Jones 1-3, Robinson 0.5-4, Singleton 0.5-4.
- LIONS: Scroggins 2-13, Elliss 1.5-9.5, Claiborne 1-9, Porcher 0.5-4.5.
