Sunday's game in Tampa is pivotal to the Washington Redskins'WagerWeb.com, can inch closer to the NFC South title with a victory.
The Redskins (5-5) have lost three of four but are only one game out of a wild-card spot, while Tampa Bay (6-4) has won three games in a row and leads Carolina and New Orleans by two games in the NFC South.
"We've got a lot of guys on our football team who know how to win, expect to win and come in here every day preparing to win,"Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said.
"The same with the coaches. We realize that we have six wins and that doesn't guarantee us anything.
But we are seeing signs of improvement, and for that we're excited to get back to work."
As usual, it's defense leading the way for Tampa Bay.
The Bucs lead the NFC in scoring defense (15.1 points per game) and total defense (285.1 yards per game) and have yielded only 72 yards on the ground on 31 attempts in their last two games. The Bucs also are tied for seventh in turnover margin (plus-5).
"The defense, I don't know what else you can say,"
Washington coach Joe Gibbs said. "I hate going against them."
And while Jeff Garcia has been very solid at quarterback (throwing for 2,126 yards, 11 TDs and only three INTs this season), the Bucs' recent resurgence has been with unsung running back Earnest Graham.
The former Florida Gator, who took over as starter in Week 6 for the first time in his career, has had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games and is averaging 95 yards in his last four games. Overall, Graham has rushed for 556 yards and five touchdowns on 133 carries while hauling in 27 receptions for 182 yards.Expect a big workload for Graham on Sunday, as backup Michael Pittman is doubtful after missing practice again Friday with an ankle injury. The ankle caused Pittman to miss four games earlier this season, and he aggravated it last week against Atlanta.
The Redskins, meanwhile, have found their offensive rhythm: putting up 48 points and 784 total yards in their last two games - but they lost both. QB Jason Campbell has thrown for 563 yards, five touchdowns and only one interception in those two games. Campbell set career highs for pass attempts (54), completions (33) and yards (348) and threw for two touchdowns in a loss to the Cowboys last week.
"We can throw the ball pretty good if we have to,"Gibbs said.
Washington enters this game eighth in the league in rushing (125.1 ypg) but that part of the offense struggled last week against Dallas, gaining only 62 yards.
This will be the fifth consecutive season the teams will have met in the regular season.
"It feels like we're in the NFC East. This is a common opponent for us."said Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden.
The lowdown: The Bucs beat Washington 20-17 last Nov. 19 in the last meeting. Tampa Bay has won two in a row overall in the series and five straight at home since Washington's 23-17 win on Dec. 5, 1993. .
Tampa Bay is 4-1 at Raymond James Stadium this season, while Washington has dropped three of its last four on the road. . Redskins RB Clinton Portis has gained 292 yards on 52 attempts and scored two TDs in two career games against the Bucs. .
These games always seem to be close, and this should be no different. Something tells me the desperate Redskins will at least cover, if not win outright.
Betting trends
The Redskins are 3-5 ATS.
The Redskins are 2-2 ATS away.
The Redskins are 2-1 ATS as the underdog.
The Redskins are 2-1 ATS as an away underdog.
The Buccaneers are 6-4 ATS.
The Buccaneers are 4-1 ATS at home.
The Buccaneers are 4-1 ATS as the favorite.
The Buccaneers are 3-1 ATS as a home favorite.
More NFL Trends chances at a wild-card spot, while the host Buccaneers, -3 (38) on
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