Lowly Bucs stun Packers

TAMPA, FLA. - Wearing one of those ghastly creamsicle jerseys that are an ugly reminder of Tampa Bay's past, rookie Josh Freeman gave the struggling Buccaneers plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

The third quarterback selected in this year's NFL draft led the previously winless Bucs to a 38-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers in his first start Sunday, ending the league's longest losing streak at 11 games.

Freeman passed for 205 yards and three touchdowns, including a 7-yard throw to Sammie Stroughter on fourth-and-4 for the go-ahead TD with under 5 minutes to play.

"I felt really relaxed," said the 21-year-old Freeman, the 17th pick in the draft and the third quarterback taken behind Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez.

"I didn't get too high or too low," he said. "I can't say I did anything spectacular. I just played within myself, and when we had opportunities I took them."

First-year coach Raheem Morris said the victory was "a great start to how we want to be, how we want to work, how we want to play. ... He's got to lead us to where we've got to go."

Freeman completed 14 of 31 passes with just one interception. A critical second interception by Green Bay's A.J. Hawk was wiped out by an illegal-contact penalty against Hawk during Tampa Bay's go-ahead drive.

Three plays later, Freeman threw 29 yards to Michael Clayton to set up his second TD pass of the day.

"He kept his composure and made plays," Packers linebacker Nick Barnett said.

The Bucs (1-7) are the last team in the NFL to win this season.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns for Green Bay (4-4). The NFL's top-rated passer also threw three interceptions and had one returned for a TD that put the game out of reach in the final minute.

Rodgers was sacked six times, hiking Green Bay's NFL-worst total to 37 in eight games.

"It's pretty frustrating," Rodgers said. "I think our offense and special teams put our defense in a tough position."

Rodgers looked like he might have put the game away when he scrambled 12 yards on third-and-goal to give Green Bay a 28-17 lead.

But Clifton Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards to set up Freeman's 7-yard TD pass to Kellen Winslow and spark the comeback.