Tampa sound warning in battle of Bays

BRAD JOHNSON threw two second-half touchdown passes and Tampa Bay defenders intercepted Brett Favre four times as the Buccaneers beat Green Bay 21-7 in a showdown of American football’s most successful teams.

The Buccaneers extended the best start in club history to 9-2 by capturing the ‘Battle of the Bays’, moving past the Packers to lay sole claim to the National Football League’s best record and send out a message to gridiron rivals.

“You might just have to go through Tampa if you want to go through the Super Bowl,’ said Buccaneers linebacker Warren Sapp, who forced double teams by Green Bay blockers that left team-mates open to frustrate Favre all day.

Tampa Bay now have an edge in the race for home play-off advantage.

Favre’s four-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver gave Green Bay a 7-3 half-time lead, but Martin Gramatica’s 51-yard field goal put Tampa Bay within a point.

An interception set up Brad Johnson’s four-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jurevicius and Johnson connected with Keyshawn Johnson on a two-point conversion to give the Bucs a 14-7 advantage with 20 minutes remaining.

Dexter Jackson returned a Favre interception 58 yards on the next series to set up Johnson’s three-yard touchdown toss to Ken Dilger .

Brian Kelly picked off his second Favre pass with 2:55 remaining to end the Packers’ hopes.

Favre was 17-of-32 for 152 yards and matched his worst regular season showing by surrendering four interceptions.

There was a bit of good news for the Packers, who clinched the NFC North crown and a play-off spot despite the defeat when Detroit lost 20-17 to Chicago. The Bears snapped a club-record eight-game losing skid. The Lions won the over-time coin toss, elected to have the wind behind them rather than take the ball and saw Chicago drive for Paul Edinger’s 40-yard winning field goal.

Next for Tampa Bay will be New Orleans, who began the season by beating the Bucs. The Saints, 7-4, suffered their third loss in four games, falling at home to Cleveland 24-15. Rookie William Green ran for 114 yards and a touchdown to spark Cleveland.

Pittsburgh denied Cincinnati four times from the five yard line in the final seconds for a 29-21 triumph. Kordell Stewart was 22-of-26 for 236 yards and a touchdown.

Jerome Bettis ran for 79 yards, surpassing O.J. Simpson for 11th place on the all-time NFL rushing list.

Washington snapped St. Louis’ five-game win streak, winning 20-17. Stephen Davis ran for three touchdowns and LaVar Arrington forced a Warner fumble with 17 seconds left on the clock.

Mike VanderJagt ignored the falling snow and breezy cold conditions to kick a 51-yard field goal 5:38 into over-time to give the Indianapolis Colts a 23-20 triumph at Denver.

Dallas snapped a four-game losing skid by beating Jacksonville 21-19. Joey Galloway caught seven passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns to spark the Cowboys.

Rookie safety Ed Reed returned a blocked punt 11 yards for the only touchdown and Baltimore edged Tennessee 13-12 for a fifth consecutive victory over the Titans.

Miami’s Ricky Williams rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns while the Dolphins’ defense kept NFL rushing leader LaDainian Tomlinson to 45 yards in a 30-3 romp over San Diego.

Reigning NFL champion New England beat Minnesota 24-17, the Vikings’ 16th consecutive road defeat. Super Bowl hero Tom Brady threw for three first-half touchdowns for the Patriots.

In other games, Houston edged the New York Giants 16-14, Seattle outlasted Kansas City 39-32, Atlanta blanked Carolina 41-0, the New York Jets routed Buffalo 31-13 and Oakland blasted Arizona 41-20.