Rookie Quarterback Freeman Lifts Bucs Over Packers For First Win Of Season

November 8, 2009 8:03 p.m. EST

Tampa, FL (AHN) - Josh Freeman went 14-of-31 for 205 yards and three touchdowns and an interception to earn his first win as a pro and the first for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they toppled the Green Bay Packers 38-28 Sunday.

Freeman, the third quarterback picked in the NFL draft this year ended an 11-game losing streak for Tampa, the league's longest currentl streak. Freeman was at his best in the final five minutes of the game when he threw a seven yard pass to Sammie Stroughter on fourth-and-4 for the score. Tampa Bay (1-7) is the last team to get a win this season. Aaron Rodgers threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns for the Packers. Rodgers is rated as the top passer in the league, but his penchant for mistakes proved costly. He mistakenly passed three balls to the opposition as one of them was brought back for a Tampa touchdown in the final minute, finishing the Pack's (4-4) comeback bid. Rodgers was also sacked six times. He has racked 37 sacks in eight games this season, most in the NFL. By halftime, the Bucs were down 21-17. The second half showed to be strong for Freeman as he threw touchdown passes to Stroughter and Kellen Winslow. Stroughter was a seventh round pick in this past draft.

Green Bay plays Dallas next week in Lambau.

Tampa Bay will travel south to face the Dolphins next week.