Whistle stop
Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 18 December 2006

In what could be his final appearance at Soldier Field, Joliet, Ill., native Mike Alstott gave his supporters something to cheer about with a 14-yard TD run late in the third quarter. Alstott skirted right end to slice Chicago's advantage to 24-10 and set the stage for Tampa Bay's 21-point fourth quarter. "It was sure nice to see Mike run into that end zone," Bucs rookie G Davin Joseph said.

In his 11th pro season, Alstott faces an uncertain future in Tampa. He has carried only 32 times in 14 games, but he tied Cadillac Williams with 26 yards Sunday as almost 100 friends and family looked on in the crowd of 62,260. The Bucs will not play Chicago next season, but they are slated to return to Soldier Field in 2008.

Keep it tight
While Bears TE Desmond Clark enjoyed a productive day, Bucs counterpart Alex Smith had his ups and downs. By halftime, Clark had caught a pair of TD passes from Rex Grossman and had become the first Chicago tight end to top the 100-yard mark since 1985, when Emery Moorehead accomplished the feat - also against the Bucs. "I think [offensive coordinator] Ron Turner just made it a point to get me the ball this week," said Clark, who finished with seven catches for 125 yards.

Smith caught five passes, including a TD, but he also fumbled on the first possession of overtime, only to see Robbie Gould miss a 37-yard field-goal attempt. "I was just fighting for that extra yard," Smith said. "That was just inexcusable on my part - to struggle for that extra yard. We came into their city and put up a hell of a fight."

Buc notes
Ronde Barber’s four tackles gave him 101 for the season. He has now topped 100 tackles in four consecutive seasons, the only cornerback in franchise history to do so. Barber also broke up two passes.

WR Joey Galloway’s first reception of the game was the 600th of his career, making him the 15th active player to reach that mark. He finished the game with three receptions, giving him 602 on his career.

DT Ellis Wyms’ sack just before halftime was his fifth of the season, making him the team leader in that category. DE Dewayne White later tied him the fourth quarter with his fifth sack.

FB Mike Alstott’s 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the 71st score of his career, and the 58th one he has run in. He is the Bucs’ career leader in both categories by wide margins.

WR Joey Galloway’s 64-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was his 70th career touchdown.

P Josh Bidwell punted 11 times in the game, tying the team record for most punts in a single game. The mark had been set five times previously, most recently by Mark Royals at Green Bay on December 24, 2000.

Injury update
Injuries: For the Buccaneers, DT Chris Hovan had to be helped off the field in the first quarter but it was a simple matter of dirt in the eye. Hovan returned on the next defensive series. CB Phillip Buchanon left the game in the third quarter after getting hit in the head. He did return.