Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Big divisional game, that could have a major impact on the outcome of the year. Washington wasn’t thought to be a favorite in the division, but they are off to a 3 -1 start and coming off a big victory over Dallas. Philadelphia is 2 – 2, but have hade a tough schedule to start off the year. The key to this game might be the health of Philly’s all pro half back Brian Westbrook, they need him to have success and win this game. Jason Campbell is starting to look good as the QB in Washington and he will need to be poised for the Redskins to win. The Eagles defense has been playing very well against the run and Clinton Portis will have to figure out how to gain some yards. The Eagles defense will come after Campbell with blitz’s and try to force some turnovers. If Westbrook and McNabb are healthy I think Philadelphia wins this game. The Eagles defense will force mistakes and not allow Portis to run over them. This will be a close and exciting game, look for the score deferential to be less then 7.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars
These are two of the most physical teams in the NFL and you should look forward to a smash mouth game. Defense will be the name of the game and the game will be one by the QB who manages to move the ball in key situations. The Steelers are banged up in the back field, which will force Rothlisberger to beat the Jags through the air. The Jags win games with defense and a solid running game, and they will have to follow that game plan to win this week. Both these teams have had a tough start playing a lot of close games and being in stressful situations. This will be a low  scoring game and if you like to watch good defense this will be he game for you this week. I am concerned about the running game in Pittsburgh and I think if Jags QB David Garrard can avoid big mistakes the Jaguars will win this game. The game will be low scoring and will be won in the fourth quarter. My pick is the Jags, by maybe just a field goal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Denver Broncos
An NFC South match up, both team are 3- 1 and will be looking to be first in the division at weeks end. This is a game about momentum, the Bucs are coming off a big win against Green Bay while the Broncos had a surprising loss last week. Both the teams QB’s have been playing very well and they will be looked at lead there respective teams to victory this week. Denver is off to a good start, but not because of there defense who are near last in almost every category. Denver will have to be extremely better then they were last week, if they want to have a chance on Sunday. Look for the Bucs to run the ball with Graham and Dunn all day, and make Denver’s poor defense try to stop them. For Denver to win they will need a big game out of Cutler and some turnovers on defense. I am not sold on Denver and think Tampa will win this game easily. Look for Ernest Graham to have a big game, but the key for the Bucs will be whether or not Griese can take care of the ball at QB. The Buccaneers will win and take control of the NFC South for the rest of the year.

Tennessee Titans vs Baltimore Ravens
The Titans are off to a 4 -0 start and will be looking to prove to the league that they are real contenders. Baltimore is 2  – 1 and are led by one of the leagues best defenses. The Titans defense is also very good, and this game looks like it will be low scoring affair. The Titans get a lot of pressure on the QB led by Albert Haynesworth, which might mean trouble for Ravens rookie Joe Flacco. To get some pressure off Flacco look for the Ravens to run a lot and if they do throw look for short passes and bootlegs. I don’t think the Ravens will score a lot of points so the key there success will be stop the Titans on offense. The Titans will also look to run the ball a lot, but they will take some deep chances to stretch the field. I think the Titans will be 5 -0 after this week, I just don’t like Flacco playing against the Tennessee defense. There won’t be a lot of points in this one and the team that runs the ball the best will win the game.

Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints
Monday night game this week and it should be a high scoring affair. The Saints lead the league in passing yards and attempts. The Vikings defense is 17th against the pass and the Saints QB Drew Brees will look to take advantage of that. Minnesota will try and slow this game down by running the ball a lot with Adrian Peterson. Peterson should be able to have a big game, the Saints defense is 20th against the run so far. These team have contrasting styles on offense and the winner will have to figure the other one out to win. The Saints will throw the ball all over the field and Peterson will have a great day. Look for Peterson to have a fantastic day along with Brees from the Saints. My pick is the Saints to win in a shoot out, if you like offense you will like this game. If the Saints want to win they cannot allow Minnesota to have any success throwing the ball, Peterson is going to get his yards, but do not let them get big plays threw the air.

The Tampa Bay became the 27^th NFL franchise in 1974 and in 1976 went 0-14 in their first season. The Bucs are the last team in the NFL to go winless in an entire season. The Buc initially started in the AFC South but was moved to the NFC Central, which is now the NFC South. In their first two years in the league the Bucs lost twenty-six consecutive games which is the NFL record. The Bucs finally won their first game on December 11, 1977 against the New Orleans Saints. Only three seasons removed from the winless season the Bucs won the NFC Central division with a 10-6 record and found themselves in the NFC Championship game but lost to the Los Angeles Rams 9-0. The Bucs have complied six division championships over the course of their history.

The Bucs prided themselves on great defense play since their beginnings. With the likes of great defensive players such as defensive end Lee Roy Selmon who was the Bucs very first draft choice in 1976. Despite the Bucs early history woes Selmon had great individual success being named to the Pro Bowl team six times, Defensive Player of the Year in 1979, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Bucs would win the NFC Central again in 1982 with a 9-7 record which enabled them to make the playoffs three times out of the last four seasons.

After a very long drought of unsuccessful seasons in the 1980′s and early 1990′s the Buc regain there old form from the late 1970′s acquiring future Hall of Fame player defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Sapp was drafted in 1995 and had his most productive seasons with the Bucs making seven Pro Bowls and being a very important player on their 2002 Super Bowl XXXVII winning team. Coach John Gruden helped the Bucs get over the hump with their Super Bowl victory which the previous coach Tony Dungy couldn’t do. The Bucs with their stellar defense finished with a 12-4 regular season record and a blow out of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII. Key players of their Super Bowl run were linebacker Derrick Brooks, who became a ten time Pro Bowl selection, defensive end Simeon Rice, who lead the entire NFL in sacks with a 121 among active players upon retirement in 2007, safety John Lynch, and running back Michael Pittman.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and the Atlanta Falcons. The division has been one by each team in the last five season. Since their Super Bowl victory in 2002 the Bucs have been poor to average to good but never making an significant impact within the NFC. With a NFC that had been improving with the overall quality of teams, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to develop and acquire talent before they revert back to an insignificant team once again.