It's week 15 in the NFL, and your Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Detroit Lions in a Sunday afternoon matchup that many of you probably thought would be referred to as the Toilet Bowl. Alas, that is not the way it has worked out for the 2010 campaign.
Believe it or not, even after last year's 3-13 record, having the youngest team in the NFL, and a raft of starters gone due to injury, the Bucs remain in contention for the playoffs. With a record of 8-5, Tampa Bay is one of nine teams vying for one of the six playoff spots.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have just three wins and their fans are reduced to suggesting their team is jinxed. Sounds an awful lot like it did around the Tampa Bay area last season, and leading up to opening day of this year.
The Lions are in a position to play spoiler, though, and they can do it. Their third win came just this past weekend when they beat the playoff-hopeful Green Bay Packers.
For the Buccaneers to remain in contention for the playoffs, they better not be looking past the Detroit Lions. They must win the game this Sunday.