DETROIT - The start was inauspicious, to say the least, but try telling any Buccaneer that Cadillac Williams did anything wrong Sunday.

Fourteen months after suffering a devastating knee injury at Carolina, Tampa Bay's fourth-year RB returned to an NFL field and helped inspire the Bucs to a 38-20 triumph against the winless Lions.

"I was excited and nervous for Caddy at the same time," Bucs DL Jimmy Wilkerson said. "I can't wait to see what he does the rest of the year."

Williams entered the game 10 minutes into the opening quarter and lined up behind FB B.J. Askew on first down from midfield.

When QB Jeff Garcia and Williams collided in the backfield on a designed pass play, Lions S Daniel Bullocks pounced on the subsequent fumble and ran 44 yards to give Detroit a 14-0 lead.

If Williams was dejected at that point, the blues didn't last long as Tampa Bay soon assumed control.

With the Bucs comfortably ahead, Williams replaced Warrick Dunn as the featured back and carried 12 times in the fourth quarter alone, finishing with 27 yards in 16 attempts.

Nobody in the Buc locker room, including the man himself, appeared too concerned about Williams' paltry average of 1.7 yards per carry.

"I wanted so much to get Caddy into the end zone on our final drive," C Jeff Faine said of a march that reached the Lions 18. "It was terrific just to see him back out on the Football field."

Williams appeared rusty at times, but he could end up playing a key role down the stretch with Earnest Graham sidelined with a season-ending ankle injury.

"The odds on me playing this year weren't good at all," Williams said. "I'm sore and I'm proud. It feels so good just to be out there again. I was counting my blessings to be back on the field."

COMEBACK KINGS

For the third time this season, the Bucs erased a huge deficit on the road and posted a victory.

Tampa Bay rallied from 10 points down late in the fourth quarter at Chicago and overcame a 24-3 hole at Kansas City en route to a pair of OT wins. On Sunday, facing the winless Lions, the Bucs spotted Detroit a 17-0 advantage after one quarter.

"We were out of whack at the start," said LB Barrett Ruud, who led the Bucs with six tackles. "Once we tightened up our run fits, we were fine. When it was 17-0, there was frustration ? but no panic."

Perhaps most impressively, Tampa Bay overcame a combined 10 giveaways in the three comeback road victories.

"We're sitting there down 17-0 and I'm thinking, 'Hey, we've been here before,'" DT Chris Hovan said. "One thing we've learned the hard way is that this team keeps its poise, no matter the situation. The guys in this room are going to stay the course."

Ira Kaufman

ROAD WARRIORS

Sunday's 38-20 victory at Detroit matches a franchise record for most points scored by the Bucs on the road.

Year Result Opp. Comment

2008 W, 38-20 Detroit Rallied from 17-0 deficit

1990 W, 38-21 Detroit Gary Anderson leads the way in season opener

1985 L, 41-38 Miami 0-6 Bucs nearly upset defending AFC champs

2002 W, 35-7 Cincinnati Buc defense terrorizes QB Akili Smith

1998 W, 35-0 Cincinnati Despite victory, Bucs eliminated from playoffs

1987 L, 44-34 New Orleans Vinny Testaverde's first NFL start

1977 W, 33-14 New Orleans Franchise's first win after 0-26 start

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

In his third start for the Lions, QB Daunte Culpepper enjoyed early success, finding Calvin Johnson for a 41-yard gain and a 15-yard TD pass on Detroit's second possession.

That got the attention of the NFL's No. 5 defense, which made Culpepper's life miserable the rest of the way.

After throwing for 85 yards in the opening quarter, Culpepper was hounded so relentlessly that Coach Rod Marinelli benched him for second-year pro Drew Stanton.

When Stanton suffered a third-quarter concussion, Culpepper came back in to finish with a passer rating of 37.7 and renewed respect for Monte Kiffin's swarming unit.

"That is one very solid defense out there," said Culpepper, who was sacked four times. "They bank on the fact you're going to make mistakes. They play the percentages - that's why they've been so successful over the years."

BUCS BITS

The Lions had scored only 21 points in the opening quarter all season until Sunday's dynamic start ? With the city of Detroit and its pro Football team both struggling, there were thousands of empty seats at Ford Field and the game was blacked out locally ? Tampa Bay's 21-point second quarter tied for the third-most points scored in a quarter in franchise history ? Since being benched after the season opener at New Orleans, Jeff Garcia has returned under center to complete 72 percent of his pass attempts.

(CHART) digits

1

Player in Bucs history (Clifton Smith) to return a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown.

2

Interceptions by Ronde Barber, his first two of the season.

5

Number of games this season in which the Bucs offense has had more runs than passes - all wins.

11

Career regular-season touchdowns on fumble or interception returns by Barber, the most among active NFL players.

35

Career interceptions by Barber, the second most by a player with his current team (Baltimore's Ed Reed has 37).

114

Yards allowed by the Bucs defense in the first quarter, 71 passing and 43 running.

93

Yards allowed by the Bucs defense the rest of the game, 28 passing and 65 running.

Photo: Ronde Barber's 35th interception resulted in a touchdown.

Photo credit: Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Photo: Bucs running back Cadillac Williams got 12 carries in the fourth quarter as he returned to the field for the first time since an injury 14 months ago.

Copyright ? 2008, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com