The wheels are coming off Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the once unstoppable juggernaut has shifted into reverse. The Bucs lost their third straight Sunday, this time a 41-24 reverse to the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium, and a team once shoo-ins for a playoff spot are beginning to look anything but.
At least the situation seems to have dawned on the players, who are beginning to realize that taking a playoff spot for granted is not going to get them one.
"I have to harness my inner Jim Mora here,'' cornerback Ronde Barber said. "I mean, to heck with the playoffs. Right now we just have to find a way to win a game, period.''
The report from Tampa Bay Online just about sums it up.
They didn't get it done in the running game, the Bucs rushing for 111 yards overall but getting only 50 on 19 carries by running backs Warrick Dunn, Cadillac Williams, Clifton Smith and B.J. Askew.
They didn't get it done in the passing game, Garcia completing 21 of 35 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown but throwing two interceptions while at least four passes were dropped by receiving targets.
And they didn't get it done on defense, the Bucs limiting the Chargers to just 90 yards rushing but allowing them to convert 54 percent of their third downs while also allowing several big plays.
One of the biggest was a 25-yard Rivers pass to Vincent Jackson just before halftime. That set up a 57-yard Nate Kaeding field goal that did more than just extend a Chargers half-time lead to 20-10.
It's hard to imagine, but the Bucs were 9-3 three weeks ago. If they are to be more than a one-show wonder in the post-season - provided they can get past Oakland Raiders next weekend - they may have to look to the past before going forward.
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