Bucs down but not out

Two successive defeats have certainly put a dent in Tampa Bay Buccaneers confidence but the facts remain pretty clear: if the Bucs win their final two games, they'll not only reach the playoffs, but also could win the NFC South.
"That really is the silver lining in all this," linebacker Barrett Ruud said to the Tampa Tribune. "I mean, you hate to go into the last two games needing five teams to lose and this or that team to win. This way, it's still on us."
While both games are against teams with losing records - San Diego (6-8) and Oakland (3-11) - and both are at home - where Tampa Bay is unbeaten - the Bucs have a long list of issues to address.
Of most concern to coach Jon Gruden will be the mountain of injuries that grew even larger Monday when it was announced linebacker Derrick Brooks could miss Sunday's game against the Chargers with a rib injury. Brooks has not missed a start in his 14 NFL seasons.
Add Brooks to a list including safety Jermaine Phillips (broken arm), defensive linemen Chris Hovan (knee), Jovan Haye (knee), Gaines Adams (ankle) and the Bucs could have a hard time winning even one game. The Chargers, who remain in the AFC playoff hunt, still have one of the game's premier running backs in LaDainian Tomlinson, and the Bucs have allowed 474 rushing yards the past two games.
But at least the Bucs have destiny in their own hands, let's hope they can run with it.