By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - It might be easy for the Bucs to overlook the Lions when the teams meet Sunday at Detroit.

Tampa Bay is 7-3, while Detroit is 0-10 with six games left. The NFL's only winless team has been outscored 308-173.

Detroit's desire to avoid the path of the 1976 Bucs, who finished 0-14, is one reason Tampa Bay's players and coaches believe the Lions' record is deceiving.

"The Detroit Lions , they'll know more about us than any team we play all year," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "They have a lot of our former coaches and players there. This will be a big game for them.

"They played Carolina hard [Sunday]. All I know is we have the Detroit Lions . They're a tough team to play in that dome. I watched the Redskins game. I've watched them play in there. We're going to have to rally around the healthy men that we have and try to find a way to get our eighth win."

Detroit coach Rod Marinelli and defensive coordinator Joe Barry are former Bucs assistants. The Lions' defensive roster include five former Bucs: tackle Chuck Darby, cornerback Brian Kelly, linebacker Ryan Nece, safety Kalvin Pearson and end Dewayne White.

Detroit has suffered major losses against Chicago (27 points), Jacksonville (24) and Green Bay (23), but Tampa Bay is more concerned about its recent struggles against the Lions.

Detroit defeated Tampa Bay 23-16 last season, and the Bucs narrowly defeated the Lions, 17-13, in 2005.

"We're playing the Detroit Lions . The record means nothing to us," Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "The fact they've beaten us the last time we've traveled to Detroit, that means something to us. The record means they could easily be 10-0 if a couple of plays go a different way for them.

"The record means nothing to us and, as a leader, that is something we will be stressing with our Football team, continuing to get better on the road."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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