Big Sombrero gets encore as Bucs seek higher level Hubert Mizell, The St.Petersburg Times, published 22 December 1997 In the historically horrible world of the Bucs, it was a gloriously different Sunday before Christmas. Scrooge leaves town. This time, it's 10 giddy wins for the Bucs, not 10 sour losses. Triumph, not tragedy. Pewter cheers, not orange jeers. For 15 years, at this December juncture, the NFL season has terminated for Tampa Bay. "For a change, the 16th game means a new beginning for us," defensive lineman Brad Culpepper said. "Only 12 teams alive for the post-season. We're among them. Everybody with an 0-0 record. Wonderful feeling. Great opportunity." Because they torched Chicago on Sunday, it became but the penultimate game at the Big Sombrero. Now there'll be another. A celebrity au revoir for a Dale Mabry battlefield that was home to Super Bowls XVIII and XXV. Eighteen years... It's been a terrible wait for a Bucs home-field playoff game. Hasn't happened since Jan. 6, 1980, when they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Championship Game. How long has it been? Bucs-Rams on 1/6/80 was the day after a little Louisiana kid named Warrick Dunn turned 5 years old. Tony Dungy had just retired as an NFL defensive back, packing to return to his alma mater and begin a coaching career as a University of Minnesota assistant. But now, the eternity ends. Detroit, with 2,053-yard phenomenon Barry Sanders, will be Sunday's opponent at 4 o'clock. Probably not the most promising of news for the Bucs, who were trampled 27-9 by the Lions as Sanders frolicked for 215 yards in Houlihan's Stadium earlier this season. Tampa Bay has lost six of its last seven meetings with the NFC Central Division rival. Minnesota seemingly would've been easier prey, but the Vikings will be traveling to play the Giants. Best of all options would've been to bring in the Redskins, but they were eliminated Sunday. So, it's Lions-Bucs. We'll be jabbering about for the next 150 hours. Wondering whether Tampa Bay can rediscover ways to defense Sanders. Imagining how it can manage to cover Herman Moore. Contemplating if Tampa Bay's offense again can find ways to score 31 points. It's clearly the magic number. "I've always imagined what the playoff feeling might be like," said Tony Mayberry, the eighth-year center who is also about to play in his first Pro Bowl. "It's fantastic. But we've got more than a 16-game season now. It's time for all of us to prove we belong at a higher level." Oh, what a mighty Sunday cometh to Tampa Bay. Big Sombrero's fitting last hurrah. Stakes the Bucs have not known for so long. Winner to move on to the second round at Green Bay or San Francisco. After the Bears had been bounced 31-15, players from Tampa Bay and Chicago knelt together in 50-yard line prayer. Bears drop to 4-12, finished for the season. Perhaps giving thanks that a lousy journey is over. Bucs, for once, could joyously think ahead. After a chorus of "amen," Trent Dilfer arose to get a Bear hug from Bryan Cox. "Stay healthy," said the controversial linebacker. "Do great in the playoffs." Dilfer was limping. Right ankle still sore. But he was wincing away as a hero. Trent has often danced to a different Sombrero tune. He looked up, eyes moist, into a red sea of screaming patrons. They were cramming into Houlihan's Stadium's southeast corner, where Bucs walk past en route to lockers. Dilfer slowed his exit. Grinning at the rooters. Pointing to the crowd as though with twin pistols. Shots of glee. Then he gave a double thumbs-up to jubilant thousands. "This city and I have had a weird relationship," said the fourth-year quarterback, who could've termed it love-hate. "I feel as good for those fans as I do for any member of our team. They deserve this exhilaration. We'll see them next Sunday for some real fun. They've had to wait far too long." Tampa Bay's offense, after a 31-0 debacle against the New York Jets seven days earlier, came wiggling back to life. Wide receivers rediscovered the art of catching footballs. Warrick Dunn ran imposingly, including a team-record trip of 76 yards. Bucs scored 31 points. For them, an official deluge. It's that 31 thing. Thirty-one has long since become Tampa Bay's ultimate outburst. This season, the Bucs hit 31 against four opponents, the Bears, Miami, Indianapolis and Atlanta. Bucs have scored more than 31 just once in their past 227 games. That came exactly a year ago, Tampa Bay ending a 6-10 season with a 34-19 conking of Chicago. So much has changed since.