Defense continues to carry load Don Banks, The St.Petersburg Times, published 9 October 1995 Put the entire Tampa Bay defense on the Bucs' injury report this week. The ailment? A collection of aching backs from carrying the offense. After creating seven turnovers in the season's first four games, the defense has generated 10 (four interceptions and six fumble recoveries) in back-to-back games against Carolina and Cincinnati. And Tampa Bay has needed every one to prevail in final-minute wins over the Panthers and Bengals. "I said it at the beginning of the season," Bucs defensive end Chidi Ahanotu said. "The defense is going to have to carry the team. We've got a young quarterback. We're hoping our offense does great, but we're prepared to be in there putting the fire out. We have to jump in there and carry the team, and give our offense time to grow and jell." Tough in the red zone all season, Tampa Bay's defense has given up just seven touchdowns in six games. The Bucs' six turnovers caused Sunday was the most since a six-turnover performance in a 7-3 win at Phoenix in the 1992 season finale. Cincinnati entered the game with just six turnovers and had scored at least 21 points in each game. Quarterback Jeff Blake, the AFC's passing yardage leader, had just one interception and 11 touchdowns. Sunday, Blake threw three interceptions - to strong safety John Lynch, cornerback Martin Mayhew and cornerback Charles Dimry - and finished with one touchdown in a 16-of-31, 210-yard day. "Any time they turn the ball over like that, you've got to win," said Mayhew, who celebrated his 30th birthday Sunday. "It was a weird game. I was hoping to put them away sooner, but it doesn't really matter. You win, you feel good." Tampa Bay's defense is not only playing well, it's playing lucky. Trailing 16-13 with under five minutes to go, Lynch intercepted Blake on the Cincinnati 43. Replays seemed to show Mayhew interfering with receiver Darnay Scott, causing the deflection to Lynch. "It looked like to me the ball was thrown inside and we were both breaking toward the ball and we collided," Mayhew said. "I was definitely going for the ball and I think that's why they gave me the benefit of the doubt on it." A play later, Tampa Bay's offense was on the right end of a pass-interference call on safety Bracey Walker, setting up a game-tying Michael Husted field goal. Turning it over The Bucs took the ball away from the Bengals five times in the second half to lead the way in the victory.