Determined to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Bucs are not only pounding the rock these days. Apparently, there is a new mantra for the final five games.
Take no prisoners.
"You've got about 30 days left in the "03 season," coach Jon Gruden said. "It's an endurance contest, mentally and physically.
"We've got a chance to win two games in a row for the first time this season and put together some kind of momentum. Momentum's a powerful thing, and that's something we need here."
BIG FINISH
Since 1998, Tampa Bay is 22-9 in its final six games of the season, including Monday's 19-13 victory against the Giants. Not once during that stretch has the team gone undefeated in its final six.
BY THE NUMBERS
3 - Bucs rushing touchdowns.
4 - Bucs defensive touchdowns.
20 - Bucs passing touchdowns.
SMALL WORLD
Three Bucs players spent significant portions of their careers with the Jaguars: receiver Keenan McCardell (1996-2001), center John Wade (1998-2002) and receiver Reggie Barlow (1996-2000).
RECORD WATCH
Warren Sapp has 77 career sacks, two shy of breaking Lee Roy Selmon's franchise record of 78.5 from 1976-84. Sapp has four sacks this season. They seem to come in pairs, with two each against the Redskins and Giants.
OFF LIMITS
No self-respecting Bucs fan would be caught dead inside Jacksonville city limits more than an hour before kickoff, unless it's to tailgate. Is there a more nondescript outpost in the NFL? We don't think so.
THE LAST WORD
"We've traditionally been a team that has played well down the stretch, closing games out and closing seasons out. It's that time of year."
