By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - The NFL did the Bucs no favors by switching Sunday's matchup against San Diego to an afternoon starting time.

Instead of taking the field Sunday evening with their playoff hopes potentially shattered, the Chargers remain fully motivated, despite a 6-8 record in the pedestrian AFC West.

"This is a playoff game," said Philip Rivers, the league's top-rated passer. "We've got to win or we can forget it. It looked slim at 4-8, but we've won two division games in a row that were tough. I know we're excited about going to Tampa."

If the Chargers post their 13th consecutive December win and Denver loses at home to Buffalo later in the day, San Diego will host the Broncos on Dec. 28 with the division title on the line.

Rivers inexplicably didn't make the AFC Pro Bowl roster, but he's tough to sack and he rarely throws interceptions.

The Bucs are tied for the NFL lead with 29 takeaways, and Tampa Bay's defense is especially resourceful at Raymond James Stadium, where the Bucs can join Carolina as the league's only 8-0 clubs at home by winning their final two games.

"They're a star-studded Football team," Coach Jon Gruden said of the underachieving Chargers, who have dropped four games this year by three points or fewer. "They've lost some heartbreaking games ? controversial games."

San Diego proved its resilience last week, rallying from a 21-10 deficit in the fourth quarter as Rivers threw for 196 yards in the final 15 minutes against the Chiefs while staving off playoff elimination.

Perennial Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates always presents matchup problems, especially with second-year pro Sabby Piscitelli replacing Bucs strong safety Jermaine Phillips, who is out for the season with a fractured forearm.

LaDainian Tomlinson may be averaging only 3.6 yards per carry, but he will test a reeling rush defense that has yielded 474 yards the past two games. Vincent Jackson, a physical 6-foot-5 receiver, averages 18.8 yards per catch, and diminutive Darren Sproles is a versatile threat out of the backfield.

"He's probably one of the more explosive backs I've ever seen when he gets the ball in his hands," Piscitelli said of the 5-foot-6 Sproles, who averages 4.7 yards per carry and 11.6 yards per reception in addition to excelling as a kick returner.

San Diego's pass defense appears suspect, but the Chargers still have some life ? even if NBC and the league deemed them not worthy of prime time.

"When it can be tough at 4-8 and easy to shut it down, we've kept playing," Rivers said. "We've given ourselves a chance this Sunday to have a chance."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

Photo: Philip Rivers

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