Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman was giddy but honest after the Bucs pulled a Houdini act and beat the Bungles at Cincinnati, despite getting gashed by Cedric Benson late in the game, despite coughing up three turnovers on the road.

Freeman spoke on the Buccaneers Radio Network and described how the win came about from his point of view.

“This win goes to the entire team. Offensively, we didn’t play that well for three and three-quarters. The defense held up.

“The second half, we were able to take the lead and then Cincy took it back. It really was the defense that set up to be successful. It’s a great team win. A great team win!

On the game-winning drive:

“It was just understanding where the matchups would be. Don’t throw it inbounds. Don’t take a sack. We are right around our kicker’s ranges. I was just trying to get a cheap five yards and hit Sammie [Stroughter] on an out route. But I saw the safety bite and I thought, ‘Yeah.’ And Williams made a helluva catch.

“Hey, 3-1 doesn’t last. It took the entire season to get to three wins last year. Here we are already with three. I take everything in perspective. We got away with one today. We have the champs coming to town now and we have to prepare.”