-2 Turnover margin for the Bucs during a span of 8:50 in third quarter after leading the NFC with a +15 margin during the regular season. ...more

January 7, 2008

The first big test for the Bucs defense came on the Giants' second drive, on a third-and-1 play from the New York 23. To no one's surprise, the Giants opted to hand the ball to Brandon Jacobs, who was directed to run off right tackle instead of straight into a stacked middle of the Bucs line. It didn't matter. The Bucs were ready for Jacobs and dropped him for a 1-yard loss that ended their second drive after just three plays, forcing the Giants to punt. When Jeff Feagles shanked his punt, the Bucs took over at their 46 and 10 plays later, the Bucs led 7-0. ...more

January 7, 2008

There's no sense trying to dress this one up. Job 1 on defense in the NFL is to stop the run, especially come playoff time, and especially when your opponent is a Giants team that ranked fourth in the league in rushing. The Bucs' ultimate objective will be to make the Giants' attack one-dimensional, which means forcing QB Eli Manning into a situation where he must throw the ball to win the game. If the Bucs can't do that, they could be in for a long day. Brandon Jacobs is a powerful runner who can break off large gains and keep the chains moving. He'll follow his guards and his center on an attack that goes right through the middle of the defense, so the Bucs have to fill well from the secondary and get top-level play from DTs Jovan Haye and Chris Hovan. ...more

January 5, 2008

Doug Williams works in the Bucs front office. He has also played a little quarterback for the team. Oh, and he blazed a trail at the Super Bowl 20 years ago. ...more

January 5, 2008

10 Sacks allowed by Bucs in last three games. 25.4 ...more

January 3, 2008

Ike Hilliard always gives it to you straight. Nothing the Bucs wide receiver says is overstated or understated. ...more

January 3, 2008

Kawika Mitchell returns to familiar surroundings Sunday, intent on playing well in front of friends and family while helping the Giants end a seven-year postseason drought. ...more

January 3, 2008

Mondays are tough for just about everybody. They're especially tough for professional football players. Their battered and beaten bodies are often so sore they struggle just to drag themselves out of bed. ...more

January 1, 2008

Bucs coach Jon Gruden discusses Sunday's playoff game and other topics in his Monday news conference. ...more

December 31, 2007

There was plenty of debate last week about how to approach an already-settled playoff picture. ...more

December 31, 2007