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Bucs, Broncos should prevail on road

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Tampa Bay comes into Philadelphia with a tough defense and a questionable offense, which is just what the Bucs will face with the Eagles. The Broncos bring their offensive machine into Baltimore to square off against a stingy Ravens defense that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher all year. Something has to give on Sunday.

The Bucs gave up five sacks to an average Packers defense last week. Tampa Bay now has to figure how to keep Hugh Douglas and Corey Simon off of Shaun King, and that won't be easy.

If the Bucs can drive the ball at least to the 30-yard line, kicker Martin Gramatica can do the rest. In the end, though, field goals may not be enough. What Tony Dungy really needs is King connecting with Keyshawn Johnson for touchdowns, though corners Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent are big enough to keep Johnson neutralized.

Meanwhile, the Bucs defense has a simple game plan: Stop Donovan McNabb. Derrick Brooks and John Lynch must contain the second-year quarterback, who threw 21 TD passes this season and rushed for six more.

It doesn't matter who plays quarterback for the Broncos, the wide receivers will catch the ball. Ed McCaffery and Rod Smith both have 100 receptions this year. Look for Ravens cornerback Chris McAllister to try to intercept passes in an effort to win the turnover battle. Baltimore is very much aware that Denver led the NFL in scoring off turnovers.

And with Trent Dilfer at quarterback, you can be sure the Broncos' defense will get the ball back for the offense. Denver will have a long plane ride home if Ravens return specialist Jermaine Lewis runs wild as he did against New York. Look for special teams ball hawk Ian Gold to search out Lewis.

So what do I expect on Sunday? The Bucs play excellent defense and should beat the Eagles in a very low-scoring game. The Broncos and the Ravens are two of the best teams in the league and it's a shame one of them has to get eliminated so early in the playoffs. I can't see Dilfer or Tony Banks having enough talent to beat the Denver defense. I like both road teams on Sunday.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout, and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Chat with Pat each Wednesday at 1:00 PM.

 

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