Bodog Beat

Jeff Garcia returned from injury and helped Tampa Bay clinch the NFC South. (AP Images)

There were several reasons for Tampa Bay fans to celebrate this afternoon.

After Micheal Spurlock scored the first kickoff return for a TD in franchise history, the Buccaneers went on to clinch the NFC South for the third time in the last six years by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 37-3.

The game was an outright disaster for the Falcons after a week of forgettable circumstances. The club learned that former star QB Michael Vick would be spending the next two years in prison, and followed that up with the shock resignation of coach Bobby Petrino. Interm head coach Emmitt Thomas – the former defensive backs coach – filled in admirably but was unable to muster much for a team in total disarray. The Atlanta passing game was inept as Chris Redman – the third QB Atlanta has started this season – had just 23 passings yards through three quarters.

In other NFL action:

– The Jacksonville Jaguars rolled into Pittsburgh and came away with a crucial victory, defeating the Steelers 29-22. David Garrard threw for three touchdowns – including third-quarter strikes to Reggie Williams and Dennis Northcutt – as the Jaguars solidified their playoff spot and kept Pittsburgh from clincing the AFC North division.

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