On 1,865th try, Bucs return kickoff for TD

TAMPA, Fla. -- Even as Micheal Spurlock broke into the open and turned up the sideline with a clear path to the end zone, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers couldn't be sure one of the most dubious streaks in NFL history was over.

Teammates jumped up and down and urged the former practice squad receiver on, and the roar of the crowd grew louder with each stride. It took 32 seasons and 1,865 tries, but the Bucs finally returned a kickoff for a touchdown Sunday.

"I saw him on the verge of breaking it, he was right in front of me, and I just assumed he would step out of bounds or something would happen," coach Jon Gruden said after Spurlock's 90-yard TD sparked a 37-3 rout of the Atlanta Falcons. "It's almost a snakebitten play for us."

Ronde Barber returned an interception 29 yards for a score and Earnest Graham rushed for a touchdown in a team-record sixth consecutive game to help Tampa Bay (9-5) win the NFC South for the second time in three seasons.

The Bucs are 5-0 in the division after going 0-6 a year ago. It's the fifth straight season that the team winning the NFC South finished last the previous year.

"Derrick Brooks always tells me: 'Today is the day to make history.' And it happened," Spurlock said. "Everybody got their block, I hit it and found the end zone."

The loss was the fifth in a row for Atlanta (3-11). It capped a tumultuous week that began with suspended star quarterback Michael Vick being sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring, a lopsided loss to New Orleans and the abrupt resignation of first-year coach Bobby Petrino.

While some thought Petrino's unexpected departure would give the Falcons something to rally around, things quickly got out of hand in the debut of interim coach Emmitt Thomas.

Barber scored on the third play of the game and Spurlock's kickoff return made it 14-3 midway through the opening quarter.

"It's just been an emotional week with everything that has happened. And to try to come out and play a game, I can just tell you it was tough," said Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn.

"We all were supporting each other and trying to go out with a clear mind, have fun and play the game. Sometimes you can do that, and other times you can't."

The Falcons were held to a season-low 133 yards and have been outscored 161-53 during their losing streak.