Strategies, trends that will determine Week 7 winners

MORE GAME PLANS: Atlanta-New Orleans | Tennessee-Houston | Arizona-Washington | New England-Miami | Baltimore-Buffalo | San Francisco-New York Giants | Kansas City-Oakland | New York Jets-Cincinnati | St. Louis-Seattle | Chicago-Philadelphia | Pittsburgh-Denver | Minnesota-Dallas

Tampa Bay at Detroit

Tampa Bay's Joey Galloway is averaging 18.3 yards per reception this season. AP

MAILBAG Have questions or feedback? E-mail Bucky Brooks. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Bucs' Game Plan

• Dink and Dunk. With injuries to their top three runners (Cadillac Williams, Michael Pittman and Mike Alstott) hampering the rushing attack, Jon Gruden will rely on the horizontal passing game to control the tempo of the game. Look for Jeff Garcia to throw to Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway on a variety of underneath crossers and option routes to offset the lack of a true running game.

• Turn up the pressure. The Lions want to throw the ball all over the field, but have been victimized for a league-leading 28 sacks in five games. The Bucs will look to exploit their weakness along the offensive line by using more five and six-man pressures to harass Jon Kitna in the pocket.

Lions' Game Plan

• Keep it balanced. Kevin Jones' return from injury should have boosted the Lions' 31st ranked running game, but he has failed to carry the ball more than 11 times in any game. Against a Bucs' defense that will be geared toward defending the pass, expect Mike Martz to get Kevin Jones more carries on an assortment of draws and delays.

• Eliminate the big play. The Bucs' 25th-ranked offense leads the league in passing plays of more than 40 yards (6) behind the big-play connection of Garcia to Galloway. The Lions must take the deep ball away by keeping their safeties deep in zone coverage and forcing Garcia to move the ball on check downs

Atlanta at New Orleans

Falcons' Game Plan

• Get the ball to Norwood. The Falcons' budding superstar is averaging more than five yards per carry and has consistently flashed big-play ability in space. With the Falcons' offense lacking punch, Bobby Petrino has to get Norwood more involved.

• Make Brees beat Cover Two. The Saints' first four opponents were able to force Drew Brees into uncharacteristic turnovers by blanketing his receivers in soft two-deep zones. The lack of big-play opportunities frustrated Brees and he began forcing throws into tight coverage hoping to make a play. Though Brees played with more poise and patience against the Seahawks, look for the Falcons to use more two-deep zones to test his discipline.

Saints' Game Plan

• Spread 'em out and run. The Saints got Reggie Bush going by spreading the offense out with three receivers and using a variety of draws to find seams. Given their success last week, the Saints will use a similar game plan to attack the Falcons' smallish front seven.

• Attack off the edges. The Giants exploited the Falcons rookie offensive tackles by attacking off the edge. Expect the Saints to follow suit by using their athletic ends (Charles Grant and Will Smith) to pressure off the edge with an occasional blitz from Roman Harper.

1 of 5