The Bucs lost four games in coach Jon Gruden's inaugural season, but followed each defeat with a victory. In fact, Tampa Bay is the only team that has not lost consecutive games since the start of the 2002 season. Coming off a 12-9 overtime loss Sunday to the Panthers, the Bucs hope to keep that streak alive with a win today at Atlanta.
The Bucs seemingly do not wallow.
"We kind of spit the bad taste out of our mouth and get back and have an enthusiastic week of practice and look forward to our next ballgame," veteran linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "We try to thrive on adversity. It can show who we are, a little bit about our character."
A loss today puts the Bucs 0-2 in the NFC South.
"That makes this one all the more important," safety John Lynch said. "We have to go and get a win."
TRENDY
The Bucs are trying to become the first team since the 1934 Lions to post three consecutive regular-season road shutouts. The Bucs closed 2002 with a 15-0 win against the Bears and opened 2003 with a 17-0 win against the Eagles.
NUMBERS GAME
43 - consecutive games the Bucs defense has recorded at least one takeaway.
62 - consecutive games the Bucs defense has recorded at least one sack.
68 - NFL record for consecutive games with a sack, set by the Cowboys from 1976-80.
SMALL WORLD
Falcons running back Warrick Dunn played for the Bucs from 1997-2001 and ranks as the second all-time leading rusher in team history with 4,200 yards.
OFF LIMITS
No self-respecting Bucs fan would be caught dead eating peaches today. Georgia is the Peach State. So, no peach preserves, no peach butter, no peach pancakes, no peach cobbler. No need, however, to dig up your azaleas.
THE LAST WORD
"Kicking field goals at Florida was a bad thing. Kicking field goals in the NFL is a good thing. So, you've got to change your offensive mentality as a quarterback, especially where I came from."
- Falcons quarterback Doug Johnson, who played for the Gators under coach Steve Spurrier from 1996-99.
