After a season that saw a record shattering amount of overtime games, the Buccaneers breaking a 22 game streak of losses in cold weather and even Lambeau Field relinquishing its playoff magic, what could be more appropriate than having the six year jinx end for the AFC Championship home team while Tampa Bay strings their second cold road game win as the NFC has the rare visitor winning the Conference Championship?
Oakland faced the Titans who were banking on the older Raiders breaking down in the fourth quarter. Right on the event, wrong on the team. The Titans looked very much into the game, almost taking an apparent 17-14 lead into halftime before fumbling away the ball which turned into a Raider touchdown and then promptly fumbling away the ensuing kick which became a field goal (thanks to the Porter drop in the endzone). Tennessee drew as close as 24-27 entering the fourth quarter only to give up 14 unanswered points. Game over, old guys win.
The Raiders won how they always win - the occasional decent Garner run but almost entirely relying on Rich Gannon to be unsacked and unhurried as he picks apart the secondary. The Oakland defense was able to fall back into a bend and do not break mode as the Titans became increasingly more desperate, fueled by the loss of kicker Joe Nedney to a knee injury.
The Buccaneers went to Philadelphia and within 52 seconds were already down 7-0. That was as good as it ever got for the Eagles. Brad Johnson was efficient in throwing 20 of 33 for 259 yards and one touchdown and controlling the game by never being sacked and throwing only one interception. The Buccaneers came prepared and entirely unintimidated of the cold, the Philly defense or even their fans.
Tampa Bay won how they always win - dominating defense that turned in one touchdown and enough offense to keep the c
Oakland has the great offense, unquestioned. They will move the ball as well as any team has against the Buccaneers. Here are the keys to the game that will allow Tampa Bay to take the final leap into their twelve months of fame:
1. Only once has any team scored more than two offensive touchdowns against the Buccaneers this season. Only the Vikings in week nine scored three times and that game had Tampa Bay still win 38-24 and featured a freak 85 yard run by Michael Bennett and a meaningless final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay allowed only 12.3 points per game - the lowest in the league. They allowed over 200 yards passing only five times this season and in half their games they allowed no passing touchdowns. Tampa Bay had the #1 defense overall and #1 against the pass in the NFL. Tampa Bay was #1 in interceptions and defensive touchdowns as well.
2. Drives can hinge on penalties. On the road last week, Tampa Bay had only three for 16 yards. At home, the Raiders had 14 for 127 yards. Tampa Bay is playing with less mental mistakes.
3. The Raiders defense is nothing special and their weakness against the pass will allow the Buccaneers attack to move the ball using Johnson, Jurevicius, McCardell, Dudley and Dilger. It will not be flashy and there will not be huge chunks of yardage on plays, but Tampa Bay will be able to control the game with an ability to play a controlled passing attack against a weak secondary.
4. The Raiders success begins and ends with Rich Gannon being protected in the pocket. If he is given enough time, he will pick apart a defense. If he can get busted up early and often, the Raiders will have turnovers and stalled drives. Tampa Bay is the best at coverage and Simeon Rice was the second best for sacks in the league. The Raiders last loss was a road game in Miami against the best defense they faced all season. Tampa Bay is better.
5. The Gruden factor. While both teams were, in part, created by Jon Gruden, only one team currently has said Gruden. In knowing the other team, Tampa Bay has the clear advantage. Gruden calls plays and the defense he is facing is almost identical to last season's model except for Charles Woodson not being as effective due to injury.
There is no "veteran" advantage in the game since neither team has played in a Superbowl in at least 20 years. This will be a fascinating game to watch given the extremes of offense and defense on the field. St. Louis went to the Superbowl twice with the best offense and won once in a squeaker over Tennessee but they did not face a defense as sound as Tampa Bay.
What a great way to end the season...
