Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin really knows how to hurt a team. But then, the Bears are used to insults by now.
“They can’t talk about the 40-degree thing anymore–that mind-set is gone,” said Kiffin, referring to Tampa Bay’s upcoming NFC title game in Philadelphia and the Bucs’ previous 21-game winless streak in weather below 40 degrees.
“I don’t care what they say, that it was only the Bears, it was under 40 degrees.”
The Bucs, indeed, had that albatross removed with their 15-0 blanking of the Bears in the Dec. 29 regular-season finale. But all things considered, they might not mind that knock compared with a few other statistics, such as not scoring a touchdown in their playoff losses at Philadelphia the last two years.
“Those were different circumstances, those were different years, this is a different football team,” Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber said.
More significant is Tampa Bay’s 20-10 loss Oct. 20 to the Eagles, also in Philadelphia.Tampa Bay managed just 207 yards of total offense, a season low, and allowed Eagles running back Duce Staley to rush for 152 yards on 24 carries.
“We didn’t have much luck, but you draw from those experiences,” Bucs safety John Lynch said. “If we play our game, it will be good enough.”
The game will feature a matchup of two former Mt. Carmel teammates, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and Tampa Bay end Simeon Rice.
“We came from Chicago and we’re doing it,” Rice said. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
Beautiful and cold. The projected high for Sunday’s game is 36 degrees.
