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Ronde Barber shutting down the Vet
in 2002. |
History. It used to mean something whenever the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles met on the gridiron, especially in the early 2000s. At that time, whenever the top teams were discussed in the NFC, the Eagles and the Bucs were always at the top of the list. That was no truer than in the most magical year in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the year the Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII. In the regular season, the Bucs played the Eagles in Philly in a losing effort, and the same Eagles were the only team standing in the way of the Bucs and a trip to San Diego in the NFC Championship. That game became one of the most legendary games in Buccaneers history, which bred a healthy rivalry between the Bucs and the Eagles.
Today, as Tampa celebrates the 10th anniversary of the team that won it all, these two teams meet again. The level of play is obviously not the same as it was ten years ago, but the rivalry remains. Today's teams, however are heading in opposite directions. The Eagles enter this game with a eight game losing streak and a 3-9 record. Their offense ranks 29th in the league in points scored, and their defense ranks 26th in points allowed. Philly is mired deep within a quarterback controversy between Michael Vick and Nick Foles, and Andy Reid is on the verge of losing his job. But the losses discount the talent on this team. Philly should be taken seriously as most of their losses have been close. But the team is still caught in a whirlwind, with little hope of finding their way out.
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| That seat feeling a little hot, coach? |
The Bucs enter this game with a losing streak of their own. After winning four straight and shooting to the top of lists for potential playoff participants, the Bucs lost two straight to two of the top teams in the NFL. The Bucs must show today that they have the ability to recover from such a disappointing two weeks. The playoffs seem very distant now with the Seahawks taking a one game lead on the final spot, and the Bucs must play perfect football for the next four weeks to improve their chances. Here's how they start today.
Keys to Victory
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| Oh where, oh where has our little Doug gone? |
Doug Martin. The Eagles rank in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed per game. In the losing streak, Martin has been almost non-existant after breaking out in the weeks before. The best way for the Bucs to get out of their losing streak is the same way they need to start a new winning streak: running the ball. Keeping the ball on the ground and pounding away at the Philadelphia defense will go far in determining the outcome of the game, keeping the time of possession in Tampa Bay's favor and, hopefully, the scoreboard.
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| Kneel downs? I don't understand... |
Greg Schiano. The Bucs are a young team, and a two game losing streak is difficult to overcome this late in the season. The leadership starts at the top, and the top starts at Schiano. Schiano has already come far in changing the culture of the Buccaneers in his first year, but today's game provides the Head Coach a chance to grow the maturity of the team even more. The Bucs still have a lot to play for this season, and it's up to Coach Schiano to continue to remind them as such
Going against one of the worst teams in the league after facing one of the best teams the week before provides a chance for a let down. Especially if the Bucs are looking ahead to next weeks' divisional matchup on the road in New Orleans. But I believe that the talent of the Bucs is too good for the Eagles to pose any threat, especially late in the game. The Eagles may keep it close for a bit, but the Bucs offense rolls after a while and puts the game away early in the fourth.
John Michael's prediction:
Tampa Bay wins 38 - 21
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