CAPSULE
The line: Tampa Bay by 3.
* Story line: Both teams are led by hyper-aggressive defenses and dynamic young quarterbacks. The Buccaneers are 0-19 when the game-time temperature is below 40 degrees, and they have never won a postseason road game.
* Keys to the game: Donovan McNabb vs. Shaun King: McNabb is clearly the better quarterback, but King has the better supporting cast. The Eagles need a significant contribution from other skill-position players or the Buccaneers will do what Tennessee did in Week 14, throw everything at McNabb at once and shut him down. King must play mistake-free football and rely on running backs Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott. TE Chad Lewis: Finding Lewis consistently over the middle will have a dual effect, as it moves the chains and gets Tampa Bay’s linebackers out of McNabb’s face. Martin Gramatica vs. David Akers: Both kickers have made several dramatic game-winning field goals this season. The weather: The Eagles will batten down the hatches and play for field position, as turnovers and special teams are the difference between winning and losing in inclement weather.
* Injury report: TB--DE Marc Jones (foot, out); LB Jeff Gooch (abdominal, out). PHI--RB Darnell Autry (ankle, out).
*--*
THE MATCHUPS TB PHI Points scored 24.2 (T6) 21.9 (12) Points allowed 16.8 (T7) 15.3 (4) Passing Off. 161.4 (26) 195.3 (20) Rushing Off. 129.1 (9) 117.6 (15) Passing Def. 197.0 (13) 186.9 (7) Rushing Def. 103.0 (9) 114.4 (20) Time of Poss. 29:58 (17) 29:14 (23) Turnover Ratio +17 (T3) +2 (T12) Red Zone TD% 57.5 (6) 50.0 (T13) 3rd Down Con. 33.3 (26) 40.2 (12) Opp. 3rd Down 32.9 (3) 32.6 (2) 3 & Out 26.0 (26) 25.4 (22) Opp. 3 & Out 24.6 (9) 23.6 (15) Sacks 55 (T2) 50 (6) Sack Allowed 38 (16) 45 (22)
*--*
--Capsule by ROY JURGENS
* Robyn Norwood’s pick: Tampa Bay. Yes, it’s getting foolish to expect Buccaneers ever to win in the cold. This is the last time.
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