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Buccaneers' Playoff Run Is About To Rev Up

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2008

TAMPA - The Bucs are still riding high after last weekend's come-from-behind victory against Kansas City on the road, and nobody can blame them.

They are 6-3 and half a game behind Carolina in the NFC South with seven games remaining. The Bucs probably will need at least 10 wins to be in playoff contention, and four more victories seems to be an achievable goal.

Tampa Bay is 2-3 on the road but 4-0 at home. With five games at Raymond James Stadium ahead, here is a look at the Bucs' impending playoff run:

Nov. 16, Minnesota, 1 p.m. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, right, comes to town, but considering that Tampa Bay has allowed only one running back to eclipse 100 yards in a game, the task of stopping him is not monumental. If the Bucs can slow Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian, this becomes a winnable game.

Nov. 23, at Detroit, 1 p.m. Daunte Culpepper probably will be Detroit's starting quarterback by this time, but the Lions might still be winless. Kansas City had only one win, and Tampa Bay barely escaped with a victory, so expect the Bucs to take this game seriously.

Nov. 30, New Orleans, 1 p.m. Reggie Bush should be recovered from his knee injury by this game, and Tampa Bay's defense again faces an incredible task of slowing the Saints. New Orleans' offense can exploit holes, but the Saints' defense has enough gaps for Tampa Bay to take advantage.

Dec. 8, at Carolina, 8:30 p.m. This "Monday Night Football" game could determine the NFC South champion. The Bucs will have to travel, face an improved Panthers team and overcome a 2-5 "MNF" road record (9-8 overall). Tampa Bay's last "MNF" victory came Sept. 2, 2003, against Philadelphia (17-0), and beating Carolina will be a difficult task.

Dec. 14, at Atlanta, 1 p.m. The Falcons were supposed to struggle with rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, left, but he is making receiver Roddy White look like a Pro Bowl player. It once seemed like a guaranteed win, but not anymore.

Dec. 21, San Diego, 8:15 p.m. San Diego could be out of the playoff picture by this game, but Tampa Bay might need a victory for homefield advantage, making this game meaningful. This contest has shootout written all over it.

Dec. 28, Oakland, 1 p.m. Bucs players openly voiced their dissatisfaction with Coach Jon Gruden's decision to bench starters for two games before last year's playoffs. Players said the rest hurt their momentum, so it will be interesting to see if Gruden changes that philosophy against his former team.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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