NFL: Buccaneers at Jags in must-win bind

Tonight at Alltel Stadium, each team finds itself on the outside looking in at the playoffs as they meet for the first time in the regular season since 1998.

Tampa Bay (5-6) is the defending Super Bowl champion and is trying to salvage some dignity, respect and perhaps the hope of sneaking into the NFC playoffs. A 19-13 win over the New York Giants last Monday night ended a three-game skid and provided a glimmer of hope down the stretch.

"You've got about 30 days left in the '03 season and it's an endurance contest, mentally and physically," said Bucs head coach Jon Gruden. "We've got a chance to win two games in a row for the first time this season and put together some kind of momentum. Momentum's a powerful thing and that's something we need here."

Jacksonville (2-9) is assured of missing the playoffs for the fourth year in a row and of its fourth consecutive losing record. But this is the first season under new head coach Jack Del Rio, who replaced strict disciplinarian Tom Coughlin.

It's been a meteoric fall from grace for the Jaguars, who went 14-2 in 1999 and lost to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC title game the same day the Bucs, who went 11-5, lost to the St. Louis Rams in the NFC title game.

"There's been some great effort put forth by guys that are beginning to understand what I am looking for from a mentality and a mindset," Del Rio said. "We just don't have a whole lot of Ws to show for it. But this is a team that's building a foundation for the future."

If the last three games are any indication, Jacksonville's future is a bright one and the team is playing just well enough to warrant serious concern from the Buccaneers.

The Jaguars stunned the Indianapolis Colts, 28-23, on Nov. 9, held the Titans to 10 points in a tough 10-3 loss on Nov. 16 and led the New York Jets 10-6 last week before giving up a 96-yard scoring drive by Jets quarterback Chad Pennington and losing 13-10.

"It's going to be a tough game for us. They have a good line and some good athletes on their team," said Bucs offensive right tackle Kenyatta Walker, who was a teammate of Jaguars tackle Mike Pearson at Florida. "They have lost some close games. We have to go up there and do something that we haven't done this year, and that's win two games in a row. That's our thought now."

Walker and the rest of the offensive line will try to open holes for running backs Michael Pittman and Thomas Jones, and at the same time provide protection for quarterback Brad Johnson.

Defensively, Tampa Bay is facing another physical but speedy running back in Fred Taylor, who has rushed for 919 yards on 220 carries and caught 39 passes for 291 yards. Wide receiver Jimmy Smith still is one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league and rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich is starting to come into his own.

"Freddy Taylor is a big-time player. (He) has been in this league and continues to (do it) week after week," Bucs safety John Lynch said. "So obviously, he's going to be a focus, and Leftwich has struggled but he's done some nice things, too. He's got a cannon for an arm. Obviously, when you face a rookie quarterback you want to move around and show them different things and we'll do that."

In the end, the game could be decided by Smith or Tampa Bay wide receiver Keenan McCardell, who are best friends and who starred together in Jacksonville.

And should McCardell come out on top, the Bucs will pull even to .500 on the season, with their eyes on chasing down a wild card berth.