NFL: Latest loss has champs reeling

Raymond James Stadium suddenly looked like the setting for a wake following Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers -- a loss that, for all intents and purposes, ripped a hole in the Bucs' playoff chances the size of the one that brought down the Titanic.

Monday, head coach Jon Gruden spoke at length of how he and his staff will continue to work hard to try and find a remedy for Tampa Bay's slow starts. But it has been the Bucs' slow finishes that have done them in time and again this season, and now they sit at 4-6 and very much on the outside looking in.

"I don't know if it's a lack of urgency, a lack of confidence or what it is," Gruden said at his day-after press conference. "But whatever it is, we've got to fumigate Raymond James Stadium and try to clean the place up or something to create the attitude we're looking for."

If receiver Keyshawn Johnson's reaction immediately following Brad Johnson's game-ending interception was any indication, he'll have to be part of the fumigation process.

Johnson, who has two years left on his $56 million contract, was smiling and posing for pictures with Packers players on the field within view of devastated teammates like Derrick Brooks and John Lynch. Johnson caught three passes for 34 yards. In the somber locker room afterward, he still was clinging to the fact that Tampa Bay has not yet been mathematically eliminated.

Meanwhile, players like offensive lineman Cornell Green seemed to be facing the music with a more realistic approach.

"We've just got to get better, real quick," Green said. "We've been in this situation too many times this season and just can't get over the hump, and it's from lack of concentration and too many bad penalties. The penalties are hurting us."

Keyshawn Johnson was guilty of two false start penalties and the Bucs had three in a row on one drive -- something Gruden said he never had seen before. After the game, he was quick to point out that the snap count hasn't changed all season.

There are six games remaining on the schedule, starting next Monday night at home against the New York Giants (4-6). Gruden has challenged his team to finish strong and snap out of the funk they have been in, but anything short of a six-game winning streak will likely end Tampa Bay's quest for a return to the playoffs.

Not helping matters is the growing list of injuries each week. Gruden said wide receiver and one of the team captains Keenan McCardell -- one of the few bright spots on offense -- will be listed as questionable for the Giants game with a right hamstring strain.

Defensive tackle Warren Sapp has a strained right foot, nose tackle Anthony McFarland has tendonitis in his right knee and offensive guard Kerry Jenkins has a left foot sprain. Middle linebacker Nate Webster suffered a left turf toe Sunday and cornerback Tim Wansley strained his right hamstring but returned to the game.

"We've used just about every player that's eligible to play," Gruden said.

"We've used about all our guns offensively and we've got to do anything we can to stimulate our football team, whether that be the return of a player from injury, whether that be reshuffling the lineup here or there."

Linebacker Ryan Nece (knee), safety Jermaine Phillips (forearm) and left tackle Roman Oben (hand) are three key players Gruden hopes to have back in time for Monday night's game.

Kenyatta Walker has been playing left tackle in Oben's absence and has struggled.