BY IRA KAUFMAN

Buc fans are living large after the most glorious fall Sunday since Jon Gruden stalked the sidelines, guiding the 2007 club to a division title.

A gutty win at San Diego, coupled with losses by the Falcons, Redskins, Giants and Eagles, leaves Tampa Bay in prime postseason position. And a special nod to America’s Team for knocking off the Vikings Thursday evening.

The Bucs now face New Orleans at home, seeking their first 5-game winning streak since a 2002 club that you might remember fondly. In this race to 10 that suddenly appears quite doable, here are 10 ornaments to hang: [read more]

Still won’t touch the p-word.

Joe has a hard time typing the following because, with a nod to Barry Switzer, Joe is not a fiction writer. [read more]

Bucs suits felt love from fans today.

Joe admits to being both surprised and impressed. [read more]

Is it time to feature Jacquizz Rodgers?

Joe will not back off holding Doug Martin to a high standard, one he failed to meet again today in San Diego. [read more]

“Philip, I love you because you are from Alabama, but I know how to win big games.”

The smile on America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, that Joe snapped to the left after today’s win says it all. [read more]

Special times

We all saw what Father Dungy did with an historic band of losers 20 years ago — and Dirk Koetter is doing it faster.

That’s the cold hard reality. [read more]

Rookie wall? Pfffft.

Who knew Vernon Hargreaves was the Bucs’ backup punt returner?

That factoid aside, the Bucs’ 21-year-old rookie cornerback had his biggest game as a professional in San Diego. [read more]

Bucs control their destiny.

Here’s the latest! [read more]

Another critical miss today by Roberto Aguayo, who, after a brief rally, appears to again be the worst kicker in the NFL. [read more]

Fly your flags.

Hug your women and children, and anyone in reach.

Your Buccaneers are 7-5 and in first place — in December! [read more]

Are the Bucs pretenders? We’ll know after this game at “The Q,” as its known in San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium.

Beat the Chargers and the Bucs are on a four-game winning streak with a 7-5 record on their way home to face the Saints. A loss, and Tampa Bay comes home 6-6 trying regroup and salvage a winning season down the stretch.

React with fans all game long in the comments section right here!!

And come back for Joe’s savage postgame coverage live from the locker room.

Game 12

Bucs (6-5) at Chargers (5-6)

Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. [read more]

Koetter offers his take on “family” chatter at One Buc Palace

Yes, Bucs players are talking a lot about family. Some are even crying in the shower.

Is it real? [read more]

Injury has helped.

Last week, when asked about rookie stud Noah Spence, Dirk Koetter referred to his development as “weird” because he has played hurt and was damned near put on injured reserve. [read more]

Owned Joey Bosa in college.

As Joe already noted, the Chargers like to move hotshot rookie defensive end Joey Bosa around on passing downs. [read more]

In this post, Joe combines information delivered inside the Bucs locker room and a scouting report this morning by Dirk Koetter. [read more]

Once again the good people of Florida’s Panhandle got solid information about the Bucs when Joe made his regular appearance on “The Jeff Cameron Show,” hosted by Jeff Cameron on the 500-pound gorilla of sports radio in the Panhandle: ESPN Tallahassee. [read more]

A view outside Joe’s suburban San Diego hotel last night as the sun bounces off the mountains at dusk before sinking into the Pacific Ocean.

Yes, Joe is typing a quick post from his hotel in suburban San Diego. It’s mid-morning in sunny San Diego (yeah, that’s a redundant phrase). [read more]

Joe highly recommends the following from Bucs icon John Lynch. [read more]