Teams Get First Wins
Cincinnati Bengals 13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense finally does something right as they held the Cincinnati Bengals to 13 points and secure their first victory of the season. Traditionally, the Bucs defense was a powerhouse and typified the adage that a good defense wins championships. When speaking of premier defensive ball clubs in the NFL one would mention the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Buccaneers in the same sentence.
So far, the Buccaneers defense has not shown its former glory, but today may have sparked something – it was an important win for the franchise.
Buffalo Bills 17 Detroit Lions 20
The Detroit Lions picked up their first victory of the season against the Buffalo Bills by winning by a field goal 20-17.
The Pam Oliver Effect
Finally, Pam Oliver interviewed two players: Tiki Barber of the N.Y. (Football Giants) and Warrick Dunn of the Atlanta Falcons who faced each other today.
She did a very interesting piece of how both running backs play the grueling game of football and endure a 16 week season. Each running back has a distinct style of play and philosophy. Tiki plays like a larger running back, but uses Physics to deflect hits and dodge tackles. Warrick, if he knows the current carry has gained all that he could, avoids the tackle and takes the lesser hit.
Both running backs have been criticized early in their careers as too small and potentially too ineffective. Tampa Bay allowed Dunn to leave for the Falcons and Barber had to endure running back after running back entering the Giants organization trying to take his job.
Both are still playing and are standing tall.
Each running back has a weekly plan of recovering from the torturous week of football through acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic services. Dunn and Barber are very concerned about their lives after football because as we saw last year with a piece that featured Jerome Bettis ambuling gingnerly down the stairs, playing NFL football takes an extreme toll on one’s body.
The Barber/Dunn piece was an important juxtapostion between their careers and Bettis’ career. The qwest for the championship is great and the physical toll could be greater.
Besides the weighty concern of reminding us, the fans, what these athletes endure on a week-to-week basis, the Pam Oliver Effect cancels out this week. 
