Weak NFC lets Bucs control playoff fate

By RICK STROUD
Published December 12, 2004

[Times files] The Bucs are back today at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, where they won Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders in 2003.

TODAY Bucs at Chargers, 4:15 p.m. TV, radio: Fox-13, WTBT-FM (103.5), WDAE-AM (620) Fifth down Gameday Red zone A long road back Weak NFC lets Bucs control playoff fate Ex-Buc is not bitter over trade COMMENTARY Gary Shelton: Memory lane offers dangerous stroll

SAN DIEGO - Face it. A team with a .500 record could make the playoffs in the NFC.

Eight wins, eight losses. It's a season that will feel like it was played on an elevator.

"It's setting up well," cornerback Brian Kelly said. "We're in a position where we control our own destiny. We have two home games and two road games with teams that we match up (well) with." In the race, er, walkathon for the final wild-card berth, the Bucs trail Seattle (6-6), Carolina (5-7), Detroit (5-7), New York (5-7) and Dallas (5-7). Among those, the Panthers are the hottest, having won four straight. Carolina visits Tampa on Dec.26.

"We have been in the position where we've gotten to a playoff and took care of business," Kelly said. "We also know that once you get to the playoffs, it's a one-game show. So we just want to be in a position to get in there. I think we're in a good position right now."

Except for one thing. The Bucs play the Chargers today.

That would be the Chargers, who have won six in a row, second only to the Steelers' 10 in a row. The Chargers, the only team with a player with at least 20 touchdown passes (Drew Brees, 21), 10 touchdown catches (tight end Antonio Gates, 11) and 10 rushing touchdowns (LaDainian Tomlinson, 13).

A loss today won't eliminate the Bucs because an AFC team likely won't figure into the NFC tiebreaker.

But a team that hasn't won more than two in a row since the Super Bowl should not be permitted to talk about the playoffs.

"That's at the end of the rainbow, and we recognize that," linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "We don't want to make any assumptions or get too far ahead of ourselves. This is a very good football team that we are playing (today). It would be a mistake for us to look past them by any means."

TRIPPING: Does it baffle anyone that pro athletes might actually lose their edge by spending too much time in a six-star luxury hotel?

The amenities in most of the Bucs' hotels include workout rooms, saunas, even complete spa facilities in many cases. Add large meeting rooms, team buffets, heavenly bed covers and, well, yes, it's easy to see why any team could come out flat on the West Coast.

Whether it's San Diego or San Juan, the Bucs haven't been a good road team lately, losing nine of their past 11. "I don't understand it," quarterback Brian Griese said. "It's just another trip. The flight is a little bit longer, but I think it's more mental than anything. My attitude is that I love going to the West Coast. It just gives me a little bit longer to celebrate on the way home."

[Last modified December 12, 2004, 00:32:19]