Tandy predicted Chargers route before end-zone interception Greg Auman, Tampa Bay Times, published 5 December 2017 Seconds before he made a leaping interception in the end zone to clinch the Bucs' 28-21 win Sunday, Keith Tandy told teammate Vernon Hargreaves exactly what play was coming based on the alignment he saw from the Chargers' offense. "I told Hargreaves, 'Watch this route,' and they ran the exact route," said Tandy, who picked off QB Philip Rivers with 2:50 left after the Chargers had driven to the Bucs 31-yard line. "It's crazy. I want to coach whenever I'm finished, but one thing I love is when I watch film and I get a tip and then it happens in a game and you actually make a play on that tip." Tandy had five tackles, making his first start of the season due to Chris Conte's chest injury. "One of the things our guys are really learning about is being able to put splits and formations together, and they did a nice job today," defensive coordinator Mike Smith said. "These guys are taking advantage of the opportunities that they get." Injuries The Bucs lost four key players to injuries during the game, including three on offense in the first half. TE Luke Stocker (ankle) left on the first offensive play, WR Cecil Shorts (knee) on the first drive and WR Adam Humphries (concussion) as well, testing the depth at positions already stretched thin. Shorts was carted off the field after Riverview grad Jahlil Addae, who had 10 tackles for the Chargers, went low in tackling him. Freddie Martino entered the game with two career catches and had four Sunday for 56 yards. DE Will Gholston, who led all defensive linemen with six total tackles, was on crutches after the game with his left foot in a boot. The Bucs have already lost two defensive ends for the year. RB Doug Martin, who gained 45 yards on 17 carries, said he was "bent back" late in the game. Backup Jacquizz Rodgers had three carries for the last first down to run out the clock. Martin said he'll be evaluated in Tampa but he's "doing fine." This and that Mike Evans was limited to three catches for 38 yards, but he and Jameis Winston connected on a two-point conversion to put the Bucs up seven late. … With Humphries out, Hargreaves stepped in on punt returns, returning two for 14 yards. … Late in the game, Alterraun Verner went to the bench in nickel defense and rookie Javien Elliott, a former walk-on at FSU, was the nickel cornerback. Everything goes Bucs' way to put Tampa Bay on the inside of playoff picture Not only did the Bucs win their fourth straight game Sunday, but nearly everything else across the league went their way, giving an additional boost to their playoff chances with four games remaining. With a 28-21 win over San Diego, the Bucs (7-5) are tied with the Falcons atop the NFC South. Atlanta, which lost at home to the Chiefs, would have the tiebreaker right now with a better division record (3-1 vs. 2-1), but if both teams win out, both will end up with 5-1 division marks. And with the Redskins (6-5-1) losing to Arizona, the Bucs are in position to get the NFC's second wild card. If the season ended today, Tampa Bay would be in the playoffs. That's still a tenuous lead — the Bucs at 7-5 have limited margin for error ahead of the Packers (6-6), Vikings (6-6), Redskins (6-5-1), Saints (5-7) and Eagles (5-7), all still within two games with four to play. The Giants (8-4) lost Sunday, so the Bucs are only one game out of the first NFC wild card, and New York plays Dallas next Sunday.