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Streaking Bucs Control Their Own Destiny

Three-game trek through NFC South to determine their playoff fate.

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Jeff Garcia looks for a receiver against the Saints in their first meeting on Sept. 7. New Orleans won that game, 24-20.

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2008

TAMPA - They are unbeaten at home, resilient on the road and in no mood to mess with history.

The Bucs have overcome a series of obstacles en route to an 8-3 record as they begin a three-game trek through the NFC South beginning with Sunday's matchup against New Orleans and the league's No. 1 offense.

Should Tampa Bay improve to 11-3 by beating the Saints, Panthers and Falcons, Jon Gruden would be virtually guaranteed a sixth division crown in 11 years as an NFL coach with the Raiders and Bucs.

"The great thing is that we control our own destiny," center Jeff Faine said. "I've been in a lot of situations where I needed six teams to lose and a 1-14 team to win. For us to be in control like this, we can't blame anyone else for what happens but ourselves."

Recent league trends suggest the Bucs are already assured their third playoff appearance in a four-year span.

Since the league realigned to eight four-team divisions in 2002, 36 clubs have opened 8-3 or better after 11 games.

All 36 advanced to the postseason.

"What team wouldn't want to be in this position?" asked veteran running back Warrick Dunn. "That you can come down to three games to win the division and put yourself in a good position for the playoffs. We're excited about it."

The Bucs are two games behind the defending champion Giants for the NFC's top record, but a No. 2 playoff seed is a tantalizing reality, especially if they beat New Orleans and win at Carolina in a Dec. 8 Monday night showdown.

Thirty of the 36 teams that started 8-3 or better since 2002 won division titles, and nine went on to the Super Bowl in those six seasons.

Tampa Bay's start is even more impressive when you consider the relative strength of the NFC South, which is a cumulative 29-15, including a remarkable 21-2 at home.

"We're sitting at 6-5, scratching and clawing, and we're last in the division," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "There's other divisions where you might be tied for first with that record."

The Bucs have rallied from big road deficits to beat the Bears, Chiefs and Lions. Quarterback Jeff Garcia is sizzling, and Tampa Bay is getting healthy for what could be a memorable stretch run.

"There's a lot of character on that team over there," Lions linebacker Ryan Nece said, gesturing toward his former club's locker room after Tampa Bay's 38-20 triumph Sunday. "It wouldn't surprise me to see those guys go a long, long way."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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