 | | Jaworski on the Eagles |  |
I believe the Bucs are the best team in the NFC right now and this game is a good barometer for the Eagles. Philadelphia really hasn't played a rock-solid team yet. While you can't count out the Saints, 49ers or Packers, whoever wins this game has the edge in the NFC. When two teams of this caliber face off, it could set the tone for the rest of the season.
Five keys for the Eagles:
1. Get big plays from McNabb: The Eagles are a passing team. They want to throw the ball. They don't want to establish the run. In fact, in their first five games, 76 percent of their plays called in the first half were pass plays (tied with Oakland for highest in the league). I've always been a big believer that most of a team's explosive plays come out of play-action passing. But because the Eagles don't run the football consistently, they look for McNabb to make those explosive plays when he breaks the pocket.
2. Get production from Thrash and Pinkston: If the Eagles don't get production from wide receivers James Thrash and Todd Pinkston, the Bucs will keep bringing safety John Lynch into the box and keep playing eight up. The Eagles must force the Bucs to cover the wideouts. At first, the Bucs will try to cover them man-to-man, so it's imperative that Thrash and Pinkston make some catches early.
3. Start fast and get a lead: The Bucs are not an explosive offensive team. If they fall behind, they'll have a difficult time coming back. An early lead could also give the Eagles a confidence boost against that stingy Bucs D.
4. Contain Simeon Rice: In last season's playoffs, Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice put lots of pressure on McNabb. Eagles offensive tackle Tra Thomas must account for Rice on Sunday. Sometimes, the Bucs move Rice to the other side, so he might be matched up against OT Jon Runyan at times. That's also a tough matchup because of Rice's speed and quickness as an edge rusher. Primarily, Rice will be matched up against Thomas, but whoever faces Rice must win that individual matchup.
5. Get better play from special teams: The Eagles have given up three touchdowns on special teams in five games. Karl Williams is a good return man for the Bucs, so it's imperative that Philly's special teams improve and win the game of field position. Special teams coach John Harbaugh must have his unit ready for this showdown. |
 | | Salisbury on the Bucs |  |
With mobile quarterback Donovan McNabb and a mean blitzing defense, the Eagles believe they're the best team in the NFL. Despite losing a couple of games, their confidence hasn't wavered. But ask the Buccaneers and they'll probably tell you they feel the same way. Sunday's matchup should give each team a chance to prove it on the field.
Five keys for the Bucs:
1. Control McNabb on the ground: The most difficult thing to defend in the NFL is a quarterback who can run and throw. Against Jacksonville, McNabb rushed for 100 yards. Sure, he has a great arm, but it's imperative that you stop him on the ground. You're not going to stop him both ways, so you've got to pick one -- I say, stop him from running. The Bucs need to contain McNabb and keep him in the pocket as much as possible. Stop him from running wild and making big plays with his feet.
2. No broken play, no big plays: If you've got a chance to sack McNabb or tackle a running back in the backfield, make sure you get the job done. Don't let the Eagles turn a near shutdown into a huge play. In other words, if you don't contain McNabb and he breaks out of the pocket, Thrash runs deep, breaks off his route and hits a home run -- you can't let that happen. The Bucs' secondary must not allow Philly's receivers to get behind them. And If you have McNabb sacked, make the sack. Don't let him get away. Because a broken play can potentially turn into huge yardage.
3. Deal with the blitz: The Eagles are one of the best blitzing defenses in the league. They'll blitz Tampa Bay's offense from the inside and the outside. The Bucs must deal with that blitz. If they can beat Philly's blitz, they'll force the Eagles not to blitz for fear of getting beat. But if the Eagles succeed at blitzing, theyll be able to dictate play with sacks, tipped balls for interceptions and quarterback fumbles.
4. RAC (run after the catch) yards: Tampa runs the West Coast offense, which emphasizes protecting the football and running short routes. Bucs receivers aren't especially fast on the perimeter, but Keyshawn Johnson is a great possession guy. Instead of catching the ball and allowing themselves to be tackled right away, Tampa Bay receivers look to make runs after the catch. When Philly blitzes, the Bucs will get one-on-one coverage -- and when a cornerback misses a tackle in man coverage, a receiver can break it for a long run. The Bucs must get yards after the catch. They've got to make the first guy miss after a slant route and get yards after the catch to create big plays.
5. Hope McNabb oversleeps: It's real simple: Hope Donovan McNabb oversleeps and isn't there to play quarterback. He's so good and so scary for opposing defenses ... so naturally your chances increase greatly if he oversleeps and misses the game.
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