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Bucs-Eagles Breakdown
Posted: Thursday December 28, 2000 1:42 PM
CNNSI.com NFL analyst Pat Kirwan breaks down the wild-card weekend games and explains which team has the edge.
Matchups: Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Coaching
| OFFENSE |
| Buccaneers | | Eagles |
| Shaun King has been an inconsistent performer throughout the season, but shows good leadership skills. At just 6-foot tall with small hands, he has trouble throwing downfield and is hesitant against strong pass rush. | QB
 | With 21 TD passes, Donovan McNabb has had an MVP-type season. Also leads the Eagles in rushing with 629 yards and six touchdowns. |
| Warrick Dunn has proven he can carry the load of the feature back. Mike Alstott is solid on short-yardage situations, although he has a tendency to fumble. | RB
 | Since Duce Staley went down, it's been running back by committee. Stanley Pritchett and Darnell Autry provide adequate attack, but lead rusher is QB McNabb. |
| Keyshawn Johnson has good height and strength to catch ball in crowd and on crossing patterns. Jacquez Green has the speed and separation ability to go deep. Tight end Dave Moore is a solid blocker often used as an H-back on short-yardage situations. | WR / TE
 | Torrance Small and Charles Johnson benefit from an evenly distributed passing attack. Together, they have more than 1,300 yards receiving. Around the league they're considered an average pair at best, but combine them with TE Chad Lewis and a young QB like McNabb and they get the job done. |
| With perennial All-Pros Jeff Christy and Randall McDaniel leading the way, the Bucs have shown better movement than in years past, trapping more in an attempt to run outside more often. There has been steady improvement in this group since mid-November. | LINE
| Center Bubba Miller is the smallest (6-foot-1, 305 pounds) of a very big offensive line. Their size and surprising quickness allows for McNabb to create plays that result in big gains. The Bucs' defensive line is quick and will test this offensive line. It's a good thing McNabb is elusive and can avoid some of the pressure that will come at him. |
| DEFENSE |
| Buccaneers | | Eagles |
| Warren Sapp and Chidi Ahanotu anchor a defensive front that puts tremendous pressure on quarterbacks. They might be susceptible to quick runs up the middle, but their overall speed is second to none. Sapp will play big in the playoffs, he is anxious to get to the Super Bowl and has a great motor. | LINE
| This ever-improving front line has shown the ability to shut down the run in recent weeks (for example, it held Corey Dillon to 39 yards). |
| Led by the best linebacker in the league, Derrick Brooks, the Bucs have the fastest linebacking corps in the league. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin knows how to blitz them at critical times to create pressure. | LB
| Carlos Emmons, Jeremiah Trotter and Barry Gardner are stronger playing the inside game but lack some quickness on the outside. All have solid tackling techniques. |
| Pro Bowl-bound John Lynch leads an aggressive secondary. Donnie Abraham closes as well on the ball for the interception as does anyone. Ronde Barber is having a career year and is dangerous when he blitzes. | DB
| Corners Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent have enough size to match up well with Keyshawn Johnson. With an improved pass rush from the front line, the Eagles are capable of defending deep as well as underneath. |
| SPECIAL TEAMS |
| Buccaneers | | Eagles |
| Martin Gramatica is an extremely accurate kicker from all distances. Mark Royals helps a strong defense with his ability to punt inside the 20-yard line consistently. |
| Kicker David Akers and punter Sean Landeta have done well to deal with the conditions at Veterans Stadium. Tampa Bay may have better kickers, but the weather conditions at the Vet may balance things up in this category. |
| COACHING |
| Buccaneers | | Eagles |
| Tony Dungy remains a calming force on a team that has some volatile personalities. His loyalty to QB King will hopefully pay dividends. Team may need to become more aggressive on offense to get to next level. Defensive coordinator Kiffin makes great adjustments as games wear on. |
| Andy Reid has done a masterful job of tapping the numerous talents of McNabb. The defensive coaches love to scheme pressures from anywhere and their game planning will be critical. |
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