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Desperate Bucs Tampa Bay faces must-win game against Minnesota
Updated: Sunday October 29, 2000 1:07 PM
CNNSI.com's B. Duane Cross talked with former NFL head coach and current NFL Preview analyst Ron Meyer about several issues and storylines as teams prepare for Week 9: Cross: In the NFC Central, Minnesota has positioned itself as the frontrunner, while Tampa Bay has fallen to an also-ran. The Vikings visit the Buccaneers on Sunday with a chance to bury the Bucs at 3-5. How do you see this game playing out? Meyer: Well, you're never out of until you are, but Tampa Bay really is behind the 8 ball. The pressure certainly is mounting for the Buccaneers, and it doesn't look good going into this weekend. I hate to say "must win," but this is a must-win game for the Buccaneers. Again, it's a division rival, and Tampa Bay is playing at home. If the Buccaneers expect to get back into this [playoff] race, they have to win Sunday. Cross: Detroit has been a midseason surprise. The Lions play at Indianapolis on Sunday, a team that lost its first-round draft pick, linebacker Rob Morris, to an injury last week. Do the Colts have enough to hold off Detroit? Meyer: I really like Detroit's running game; James Stewart has come around and is really carrying the load for the Lions. Indianapolis' strong suit is not its defense, and the loss of Morris will hurt. Saying that, the game will be played in the RCA Dome, and having coached there, I know what kind of effect that can have on the opposing team. The Colts have great fan support and that will be a major factor. It will disrupt [Detroit quarterback] Charlie Batch and the audibles, there will be delay-of-game penalties ... stuff that will get the Lions beat. It will be a struggle, but I believe Indianapolis will win. Cross: On Monday night, Tennessee visits Washington. The Titans' Eddie George is listed as day-to-day. If he cannot go, what kind of effect will that have on the way Tennessee approaches the game? Meyer: Eddie George is the key to Tennessee's offense. If he cannot go, that's a big offensive weapon that's been taken away. In that case, the load of the offense falls on [quarterback] Steve McNair. McNair hasn't been [consistently] sharp this season, and he'll have to have the best game of his career, if George can't play. For Washington, Stephen Davis will have a major impact. Plus, I believe Brad Johnson is going to have a big game against the Titans' defense. After getting off to a very slow start, the Redskins again look to be the team to beat in the NFC. Cross: In a twist of fortunes, Trent Green becomes the starter for St. Louis after his former backup Kurt Warner broke his finger last week. How does this potential quarterback controversy play out? Meyer: I believe Warner's still the guy, but obviously as the season progresses -- Warner is out 5-6 weeks -- it will be a question for [head coach] Mike Martz to settle. Green was signed to a big contract last year, and Warner this year. Green came to the Rams for a reason; they believed he could be their quarterback. As it turns out, St. Louis was very prudent to have not traded Green. They obviously look like geniuses since Warner got hurt. Everything will hinge on how he plays. However, there is a chink in the Rams' armor. I think the Kevin Carter mess has come to the surface and could prove to be a disruption. It could escalate to be a big problem. Against San Francisco this week, I think the Rams will hold off an improving, rising 49ers team. But it will be a good game. Cross: Speaking of disruptions, Arizona fired head coach Vince Tobin and replaced him on an interim basis with defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis. How does this play on the psyche of the Cardinals? Meyer: Well, having been replaced two times in the season myself ... this could be a problem. But the players all know McGinnis and seem to like him. He was already on the staff, and there won't be a big degree of difference. I think McGinnis will be more vocal, enthusiastic and the players will try to reach deep into their gut bag. Still, I don't see that being enough this week against New Orleans. Emotionally, I think Arizona will be high, but against a tough defense like the Saints, it won't be enough in the long run. Ron Meyer, a former NFL head coach, is a pro football analyst with CNN/Sports Illustrated and appears weekly on CNN's NFL Preview.
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