Buccaneers vs. Jaguars: 8 Things to Watch for on Sunday

After Monday night's loss to the San Diego Chargers, the Jacksonville Jaguars may not know which is worse; seeing their decimated defense suffer more injuries or having one less day to prepare for their cross-state rivals.

The Jaguars defense, which was exposed for its lack of depth, is in a state of emergency, resembling a MASH unit on the field. And interim head coach and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will be looking to rebound against a Buccaneers team that has dropped its last six games.

Now with one game under his belt as the head coach, it will be interesting to see if Tucker makes any major changes to the team's game plan or if offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter develops a different plan for rookie QB Blaine Gabbert.

Also, this is a game of teams that need a win desperately to ease the pain of an uneventful season.

Can the Buccaneers find consistency and stop the bleeding? Can the running game find a path through the Jaguars defensive front? Do rumors continue of Raheem Morris' job security or lack thereof?

Can anyone score more than 17 points in this contest?

And most of all, will there be anyone in the stands to watch this game, and if there are, will they care who wins the contest?

There are a few other things we should watch for Sunday afternoon.

8. What Does Mel Tucker Do with the Defense?

Injuries, injuries and more injuries. Can the Jags field a complete team?

John Chick's knee injury is just another in a series of blows to this unit that was one of the best in the NFL.

Everything has slowly unraveled.

It will be interesting to see who applies pressure to the quarterback and stuffs the run.

7. Let Him Throw, Let Him Throw, Let Him Throw

It is my belief the only way to make Blaine Gabbert a better passer is to make him throw the ball deep and more often.

I know it takes away from MJD and his carries, but Gabbert needs to find a rhythm like he did in the second quarter against San Diego.

6. Will This Be an Audition for Player Spots Next Season?

Now that the team is on the brink of double-digit losses, will rookies and free agents play more, hoping to land a roster spot for next season?

Will Taylor Price and Chastin West see more playing time at receiver? What happens to Chris Prosinski at defensive back? Or DuJuan Harris at running back?

These are questions without answers.

5. Will We See Luke McCown If Things Get Tough?

Could we see Luke McCown play for the fourth time this season if the game gets out of hand?

Gabbert is the starter, but this team has nothing to lose. McCown gets the ball out to receivers quicker and let's face it, this team needs a win at any cost.

4. Will We See More Passes Thrown to Mojo?

He was a one-man wrecking crew Monday night.

He is also the NFL's leading rusher. He needs more carries and more time with the ball in his hands.

As long as he has the ball, the Jaguars can control the clock and the game.

3. Can Marcedes Lewis Put It All Togther for One Game?

Can the big tight end catch a pass, block a player and score a touchdown in one afternoon?

Lewis hasn't been right since he hurt his hamstring in the first game of the season.

Having a consistent Lewis in the offense for the final four games would be a big boost to this team.

2. Will This Team Have Its First Blackout in Two Seasons?

There are other teams in the NFL who have more trouble selling tickets than the Jaguars.

But in light of the team's sale and a new coach after fans clamoured for Jack Del Rio to be fired, this could be the first time the team has a blackout since 2009.

After Monday night and the way the team collapsed, the fanbase may finally have lost its will.

1. Something to Think About

The Jaguars, Dolphins and Buccaneers have a combined 11 wins on the season.

The Green Bay Packers have 11 wins on the season alone.

Football is really bad in the state of Florida.