2 units flat
13 pt. teaser
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +18 A mediocre defensive performance last week wasted an impressive effort by rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who was making his first NFL start for injured starter Chris Simms. Gradkowski completed 20 of 31 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, but Tampa Bay lost 24-21 at New Orleans.
Keys to the game: The Bengals spent part of their bye week trying to figure out where their vertical passing game has gone. Cincinnati WR Chad Johnson is facing constant double teams, and his longest reception this season is for 18 yards. But for Johnson and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh to work deep, QB Carson Palmer needs more time in the pocket. He has been sacked 15 times. While the Bengals are expected to slide LG Eric Steinbach to center and start rookie LG Andre Whitworth, the Bucs will start rookies at right tackle (Jeremy Trueblood), right guard (Davin Joseph) and quarterback (Bruce Gradkowski). Gradkowski showed poise in his first career start Sunday, but he must have help. Tampa Bay RB Carnell Williams is coming off a 111-yard game, and Cincinnati has allowed an average of 203 rushing yards in its last two games.
Bucs: Are 6-1 when Williams rushes for at least 100 yards
Titans/ Redskins OVER 26
Keys to the game: The Titans run defense is allowing an NFL-high 172.4 yards a game and can expect a heavy dose of RBs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. The Redskins offense works most efficiently when the running game is setting up the pass; QB Mark Brunell connected with eight receivers in both wins. To protect the young defense, Tennessee knows it must control the clock. RB Travis Henry and rookie RB LenDale White could have success as Washington has several linemen ailing. But the Redskins also probably will stack the box vs. the run and dare rookie QB Vince Young to hurt them through the air.
The Redskins (2-3) were pounded 19-3 by the New York Giants last Sunday after consecutive wins over Houston and Jacksonville. Washington's defense continued its trend of allowing big plays, allowing completions of 44, 46, 27 and 21 yards on Giants' scoring drives.
Washington has given up 21 passes of 20 or more yards and only the Green Bay Packers, who have allowed 28, have conceded more.
The Redskins could be able to work out some of the kinks against the Titans (0-5), who rank 30th in the NFL defensively with 374.8 yards allowed per game, and 27th offensively with 273.6 yards.
Panthers/Ravens OVER 20
Keys to the game: If the Panthers don't find a way to be more efficient, it'll have an extremely difficult time scoring against the NFL's No. 2 defense. Carolina has converted a league-low 18.6% of third-down conversions and will be without injured backup RB DeAngelo Williams. The Ravens are hard to run against with any consistency, so expect plenty of short passes from the Panthers. Baltimore QB Steve McNair doesn't look comfortable in his new offense and has thrown five interceptions in the last two games. The onus will be on him against one of the league's better defensive lines. The Ravens have struggled to establish a running game with RB Jamal Lewis, and coach Brian Billick hinted Musa Smith and/or Mike Anderson could get lots of carries.
10 points each will work for me...:SIB
Chiefs +19.5
Roethlisberger has struggled the most. He was 27-4 as a starter entering the season, but has thrown seven interceptions and no touchdowns. Through four games last year, he had seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
With Trent Green out indefinitely with a severe concussion suffered in the season opener, Huard has led the Chiefs to wins over San Francisco and Arizona the last two weeks.
He was named AFC offensive player of the week after throwing for a career-high 288 yards and two touchdowns in the 23-20 win over the Cardinals.
Larry Johnson is expected to play this week despite suffering a strained neck following a scary tackle late in last Sunday's game
Keys to the game: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has thrown seven interceptions without a TD pass in three games, and he will be going against veteran CBs Ty Law and Patrick Surtain. Pittsburgh needs to protect the ball better and will lean heavily on RBs Willie Parker and Najeh Davenport. Chiefs QB Damon Huard has done an excellent job the last two games, but he hasn't faced a defense with the speed of the Steelers. Pittsburgh doesn't fear the Kansas City receivers and will stack the box against RB Larry Johnson. Expect Steelers SS Troy Polamalu to play close to the line of scrimmage and try to get to Johnson before he can reach the line of scrimmage with a head of steam.
glta......
