By SCOTT
REYNOLDS
FOXSportsFlorida.com / PewterReport.com
Dec.
29, 2010
The NFL postseason hasn't started yet, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are already in playoff mode.
If the Bucs don't get a victory Sunday in New Orleans against the Saints (11-4), who clinched a playoff berth Monday with a 17-14 triumph at NFC South rival Atlanta, they will miss the playoffs and finish the season with a 9-7 record.
Yet even if the Bucs win at New Orleans, which is in position to rest some of its starters with a postseason berth assured, they will need some help from other teams. The New York Giants must lose at Washington on Sunday and Green Bay must lose at home to Chicago for Tampa Bay to achieve a playoff berth.
"It sucks that we're in the position we're in," Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman said. "You have to get some help. You want to be in the position where you have clinched and now you are playing for home-field advantage. Unfortunately, there were some games earlier in the year that we really should have won, but we weren't able to close it out.
"You look at the Detroit game. We couldn't punch it in the red zone. The Atlanta game, we got the ball back and couldn't score. We still have a chance. It's a slim chance, but it's a chance. We won't have a chance if we can't take care of business this Sunday."
After losing control of its own playoff destiny because of a stunning, 23-20 overtime loss to Detroit at home, Tampa Bay is resigned to simply focus on beating the Saints.
"All we know is that we can control this game," linebacker Adam Hayward said. "We just need to take the game. It's important. We began our playoff run last week, and every game we play is a playoff game. If we win, like we should do, well that's the only thing we can control. After that it's up to however else things fall out."
The Saints drubbed the Bucs 31-6 in Tampa Bay in Week 6. Drew Brees completed 21 of 32 passes for 263 yards with three touchdowns and one interception against a full-strength. Now, Tampa Bay is without five starters
