PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to open the Philadelphia Eagles’ new stadium the same way they closed out their old one.

Nearly eight months after the Bucs beat the Eagles in the NFC championship game in the final football game at Veterans Stadium, the defending Super Bowl champions will return to Philadelphia on Monday night for the first regular-season game at $520 million Lincoln Financial Field.

“We went in there, we finished the game, we won the game, and they closed the stadium afterward,” Bucs wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson said, carefully avoiding any bulletin-board material. “It’s not that we shut it down. They had a few baseball games after that fact.”

Tampa Bay’s 27-10 upset victory in last year’s conference title game stunned the Eagles and sent a championship-starved city – it’s been 20 years since the 76ers won the NBA title – into a long depression.

Many fans still haven’t recovered from the disappointing loss, but the Eagles don’t have a choice. Some players said they remember vividly certain plays, such as Ronde Barber’s clinching 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Some players said they’ve blocked it all from their minds. All the players, though, agreed they can’t dwell on it.

“There’s nothing we can do about it now. It’s over,” cornerback Troy Vincent said.

For some, even a victory in the season opener won’t avenge the loss.

“They still have the shiny ring,” cornerback Bobby Taylor said.

The teams have developed quite a rivalry over the last three years. This is the third consecutive year they meet in the regular season and they’ve played in three straight playoffs.

When the schedule came out in April, the Eagles immediately began preparing for revenge. Before losing to the Bucs last January, Philadelphia dominated Tampa Bay, winning four straight, including two playoff victories.

“You act like this team can’t be beat,” quarterback Donovan McNabb said. “There were teams that beat them last year. Tip your hat to them; they won the Super Bowl.

“No one really cares what happened last year. This is a new year. Our main focus is to go out and be ready to play and set the tempo for the year.”

While the schedule-makers motivated the Eagles by making Tampa Bay their first opponent, they also inspired the Bucs. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden and many of his players weren’t pleased to open the season on the road. The Bucs considered it a sign of disrespect to play their first game away from home, especially in Philadelphia.

The defending AFC champion Raiders also are on the road for their opener against Tennessee in a rematch of last year’s AFC title game.

“We can sit there and complain and try to explain it, but it doesn’t do you any good,” Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson said. “That’s the card you’re dealt.”

The Bucs won a franchise-best 12 games in their first season under Gruden, whose ability to light a fire under the offense helped push Tampa Bay over the top in the playoffs.

The Bucs retooled their offensive line, a weak link last year, with the addition of center John Wade and right guard Jason Whittle and moving Casey Coleman to left guard.

Tampa Bay also made changes to its top-ranked defense, which features five Pro Bowlers, including defensive tackle Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks and safety John Lynch. Second-year pro Ryan Nece replaces Alshermond Singleton at outside linebacker and nickel back Dwight Smith takes over at free safety for departed Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson.

But Tampa Bay lost four-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles to a broken left forearm in Thursday’s practice. Four-year veteran Nate Webster will replace Quarles.

“We’re going to miss Quarles. He’s a leader, a playmaker,” Gruden said. “That’s what Nate Webster has to be now, and he has that capability.”

The Bucs’ offense, which averaged 35.3 points per game in the playoffs, also could be better this season. Johnson was the NFC’s top-rated passer in 2002, throwing for 3,049 yards and 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He and the rest of the offense should benefit in the second year under Gruden.

The Eagles, who scored a franchise-record 415 points last year, return all of their starters on offense except one. Free agent fullback Jon Ritchie replaces Cecil Martin. Correll Buckhalter is back from a knee injury and should bolster the running attack.

Philadelphia’s defense has five new starters and must find a way to replace three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas, who had a team-high 121/2 sacks.

Since Andy Reid took over as Philadelphia’s coach in 1999, the Eagles are 10-0 in night games, including four wins on Monday night.

AP-ES-09-05-03 0023EDT