Allen Makes Most Of Opportunity The Tampa Tribune, published 26 September 2005 Successful teams count on different players to step up each week, and Will Allen's turn came Sunday. Tampa Bay's second-year safety replaced the injured Dexter Jackson in the first half and played a key role in the 17-16 victory against the Packers. The fourth-round pick out of Ohio State registered two fourth-quarter interceptions against Brett Favre as Tampa Bay improved to 3-0. "It feels great and most of all, I'm just happy we won," said Allen, whose first pick came on Favre's long pass down the middle intended for Donald Driver. "I cheated a little on that first one and I was right there in good position." Allen's second theft was even bigger as he hustled over to the sidelines and caught up to a long pass for Robert Ferguson that was tipped by nickelback Juran Bolden with 5:03 remaining. Allen returned 26 yards to the 31 and the Bucs ran out the clock. "I'd like to thank my teammates for encouraging me and keeping me focused," Allen said. "This defense has such a tradition and it's a privilege to play my part." Ronde Barber said he was happy for Allen. "Will's growing up a little," Barber said. "When somebody gets hurt, it's an opportunity for somebody else … Will took advantage today." Fall from grace The Packers boast the NFL's best record since 1995, but Green Bay fell to 0-3 for the first time since 1988, the first year of the Lindy Infante era. Even the Lambeau mystique is fading as Green Bay has lost seven of its past 11 home games. "We still had too many errors to try to win this game against a good team -- and Tampa Bay is a good team," said Green Bay RB Ahman Green, who earned every inch of his 58 yards. "They are 3-0 and they did the job they had to do." The man in the middle Shelton Quarles certainly didn't let NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors go to his helmet. Tampa Bay's veteran MLB turned in another superb effort against the Packers, setting the tone early by forcing a William Henderson fumble on the game's opening series. Quarles led the Bucs with nine tackles and he turned in another critical play midway through the fourth quarter by deflecting Favre's third-down pass, forcing Green Bay to settle for a Ryan Longwell field goal. "I was talking to one of our coaches on the sidelines during the timeout and asked for some luck,"Quarles said. "Then I came out and got the deflection. We knew it was going to be a tough fight today, but we made the plays to win it." Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin can't help but notice Quarles, who has posted two forced fumbles, a sack and a team-high 26 tackles, is off to a dynamic start. "Shelton Quarles is playing great football," Kiffin said. "Not good, great." Tough day for Davis The Bucs were whistled for eight penalties and nobody appreciated the narrow victory more than LT Anthony Davis, who was flagged for three second-half holding calls. "My penalties could have cost us the game, but we won and this is not about me, it's about us," a relieved Davis said. "There were a few questionable holding calls, but we still got our back Cadillac Williams more than 100 yards. This offensive line has come together. We had a big question mark over our heads a month ago, but so far, we've answered every question." Nothing is automatic The margin of victory turned out to be Longwell's missed extra point following Green Bay's first TD, a 37-yard pass from Favre to Ferguson late in the opening quarter. "They say the most important point in football is the extra point," Barber said. "It definitely was today." The snap from Rob Davis appeared a bit high, upsetting the rhythm as B.J. Sander got the hold down a split-second late and caused Longwell to shank the PAT to the left. "Rob is such a good snapper that if he has a bad one, it catches you by surprise," Sander said. "And it caught me by surprise."