By Robert Cameron
  chuskers.com



    The Cowboys offense had no answers for the aggressive Bucs defense.
The Buccaneers haven't lost two games in a row since Gruden was named the head coach. This weekend Gruden's streak is still alive as the Buccaneers beat the Cowboys 16 to 0. The Bucs defense looked like the defending Super Bowl Champs again earning their second shutout of the season and improving their record to 4 wins and 3 loses.

Gruden called a very conservative game against the Cowboys running the ball 35 times and passing only 26 times. RB Michael Pittman led the team in rushing with 113 yards on 30 carries. QB Brad Johnson completing 13 out of 26 passes for 151 yards and 1 touchdown. WR Keenan McCardell led the team in receiving with 6 catches for 68 yards and WR Keyshawn Johnson had 1 catch for a 7-yard touchdown. These numbers aren't eye catching, but the Bucs played smart and got the job done.

The Bucs defense played aggressive and showed the home crowd that they're still one of the NFL's elite squads. CB Ronde Barber had his best game for the year making 8 tackles and 1 interception while forcing 2 fumbles. LB Derrick Brooks led the team in tackles, recording 8 and LB Shelton Quarles had 5 tackles and recovered a fumble. The defense had 4 sacks. DT Anthony McFarland, DT Chartric Darby, DE Warren Sapp and DE Ellis Wyms each had 1. S Jermaine Phillip had the Bucs' other interception and returned it 41 yards, which set the Bucs offense up in good field position. The Cowboys established very little offense during the game and when they did the Bucs' defense took the ball away.

This week Keyshawn Johnson made some statement about Gruden not calling plays to get him the ball. Keyshawn always seems to do this anytime he's on a team that is struggling. He gets frustrated and wants to have the ball in his hand in order to right the ship. All great players do and I don't fault him for that, but he needs to be a realist. First of all Keyshawn hasn't been 100 percent and it has shown. Second of all Brad Johnson and Keenan McCardell have been in a groove as of late and you have to go with the hot hand. Keyshawn needs to keep playing hard and let the offense come to him. Gruden's system was able to get the Bucs a Super Bowl last year, let's not abandon ship at the first sign of rough seas.

The Bucs are at home again next week and will host the New Orleans Saints. This is another game that the Bucs should win. Let's see if the Bucs can win 2 games in a row, something they have yet to do this year. My prediction Tampa Bay 24 and New Orleans 6.