6 playoff teams for the NFC….

Philly, Giants, Tampa, , Green Bay, Minn, and SF. It would be bad luck to pick a SB team here folks…..


NFC West

1. San Fran Crap, I hate this team. The only bigger ass than Owens? That’s Mr. Moss.
2. St. Louis If I had a certain running back in my backfield… I’d hand him the ball 40 times a game. Once, again Martz proves he’s smarter than the rest of us by throwing it 40 times a game. You know what that gets you? 2nd place.
3. Seattle… I want to pick these guys to finish first. But then I thought.. who’s gonna stop the run? Hell, when ariz runs on you, you cant win shit.
Ariz… well, I refuse to give them enough credit to finish last. I tel ya bidwell is a piece of work. LONE bright spot on the team last year? Their RB shipp… so what do you do? You go get emmitt. Why? Cause you might get 2-3 cowboys fans to come see him. Most money under the cap, and you sign… NO ONE. Has anyone been to a cards game? I can go on for 20 min, but I wont…

NFC North

1. Green Bay … This is a safe pick. Do I like it? NO… I like MN, but shit… they cant play outside, no dome team can play outside. This team was great last year, if they were not beat up so badly they would have went further. I do still not like packer fans, the only ones more stuck on themselves? Cardz baseball fans.
2. Minn If I wasn’t afraid of them playing outside, they’d win the div. This is the surprise team in the NFC this year.
3. Detroit… 3rd place but they still suck.
4. Chicago Thank god Ariz is in the NFC to keep them from being the worst team in the conf.

NFC South

1. Tampa… How can you not lose when you got Fat Sapp and MEEEEEE-SHAWN. Overall the Best D in the NFL. In the end, who the hell in their right mind puts a big pirate ship in their stadium? Better yet, this team had no fans before. Bandwagon. I hate the bandwagon. Oh yeah, the way you beat tampa? Run the ball down their throat. Mr. Reid are you listening?
2. New Orleans.. I just have a gut feeling they finish this high. That’s all…
3. Atl Can atl beat Tampa? Ever? I think you need a running game to do that… which, they don’t have! This team takes a step back this year. Vick isn’t going to do it with his feet again.
4. Carolina.. I wasted too much time on bitching about the Cards to touch this 4th place team.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia… Who else would I pick? Tough schedule? YES! But hey, if you look at the rest of teams in the div… they all basically have the same sched. And PF likes how the H/A games fall. I still hurt over the loss of Huuuuuuugh, but ya know what… I’m looking and I see…. 5 de’s that can rotate… 4 solid DT’s. MLB is a concern.. but hell they just might be better on D this year. They already have THE best secondary in the NFL. Ritchie is better at FB. Bucky is back to help the running game. I don’t think they will win 12 games this year, but they just might be a better team in the end. The reason they wont win it all? Well, the fat man is the only one in the universe who doesn’t think they need a stud WR.
2. NY Giants… SHOOOOOOOOKEY, SHOOOOOOOKEY. Could be quite the dog fight for first in the division this year. Sorta scary.
3. Washington…. What do 1979 and Spurrier have in common? It was the last time he made an adjustment on O. Until he does that, he’ll get his ass kicked in the NFL. I was gonna pick these guys higher, then I looked at their first 6 games and said, shit, they could very well be 0-6. OH, by the way… I don’t care who you sign in FA, you cant make your team over every year. You cant change coaches each year. You cant have a new scheme on D each year. I like most of the pick-ups this team had, but by the time they learn to play together they are gonna be 0-6.
4. Cowgirls… Parcells used to win with shitty teams by grinding it out, running the ball…. Uhhhhhh bill… who’s gonna do that for you? I think his D might be good enough to keep this team close to win a few games. Enough games to bring the cowboys fans back and take their Tampa Jerseys off? NO. Maybe next year.

Not bad at all philly. I think Seattle is this years "rag to riches" story. I'm predicting them to upset the niner's.

You're Eagles win at least 11 games...they play in the easiest conference. They will go 5-1 against conference teams, which means they only have to go 5-5 during their non-conference games.

SB..with a rejuvenated Edjarin James and a revamped Defense...its Colts versus Bucanneers in Super Bowl. The Colts get trounced as Dungy's pride gets in the way, thinking his defense is better than Tampon Bays.

I got a Trent Dilfer jersey for 17 dollars at safeco field! Well if the Seahawks do good I might be able to jump on the bandwagon or else I love hating the team also, either way I cant lose!

Isn't it going to come down to Philadelphia and Tampa Bay in the NFC Finals again? Other than draft order, does it really matter who the other four playoff teams will be, and what order in the standings they finish?

I think last year was Green Bay's last shot. They'll probably make the playoffs by default, since someone has to win the Norris, and it won't be the Vikings, Bears or Lions.

The Rams might have one dead-cat bounce left in them, which would put them in the playoffs. The football gods will punish the 49ers for letting Mariucci get away. Seattle might sneak past the dinosaurs ahead of them. Arizona won't.

The Eagles should get home field over the Bucs simply because their intra-division schedule is better. The Giants have to stop over-achieving some day. Parcells might be dangerous: next year. As for the Skins, that Spurrier is one hell of a college coach, isn't he?

The Saints are probably the only team that matches up with the Eagles and Bucs in terms of pure talent, but they're still a team of headcases that will self-destruct before they even get close to a championship game. Carolina will be better. And I agree, the Falcons won't.

The AFC has a whole lot more depth and will be a lot more interesting.

Philly, man envy is not pretty. Just because the Bucs SPANKED you AT THE VET doesn't mean you have to be pissy about it.

Bandwagon???? I've been a season ticket holder since I moved to Tampa in 1989, yeah sure, when you win a Super Bowl there are going to be bandwagon fans. But that's just a fact of life. Sounds like sour grapes on your part.

Bucs will beat the iggles AGAIN this year. Philly lost too much in the off season and may not even represent the NFC East.

Week 1 prediction

Bucs 27
Eagles 13

That is the best you have? we're gonna beat you! we're gonna beat you....

Tell ya what. I'll take history. I would hardly call a what... 1-4 record vs the iggles domination on the bucs part. If anything there kid, the domination is on the other side. The most you have is bragging rights from last season. Shall i also remind you that the buc O failed to score a td in what, 3 games at the vet? Where is the domination?

For whatever reason, the fat man BUCked the trend of how the Iggles dominated the bucs. Run the ball down their throat and blitz the often injured johnson. Cause you see, that is how you beat the bucs... be physical. The bucs are not a physical team. You cant throw the ball down the field unless it is set up via the run. What you do is run, run a little more... and only pass when you have to. By the 4th qtr the bucs are beat down.

Iggle losses in Free agency? Hugh? drafter 2 young rookies, and burgess is coming back from injury. H. Thomas is back. Even with hugh gone, the eagles have 5 de's to rotate in. 4 solid DT's. Nate Wayne should be a push with the Barber loss. The new kid in the middle cant be anything but an upgrade at MLB, hell i'm an upgrade.

Bmitch is gone, that is the only loss i see really hurting the eagles. Perhaps some depth at LB incase of injury.

Now as far as your little prediction goes... season opener on MNF, stadium opener, playing the team that beat you in the last game at the vet, 9pm kickoff (so 5 hours of tailgating and drinking), and a stadium that is reported to be even louder than the vet. Yes, this had buc win written all over it.

I could care less if the Bucs had NEVER beat the Eagles. They won the one that matters. The Bucs are already talking about the season opener. They'll be more than ready to defend the title of SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!

Maybe you're just bitter because the Eagles have never been able to claim that title.....

This must have been the LONGEST offseason for eagle fans :confused:

Gotta love those Barber brothers!!!!!

Yuckman,

I gave you the history of your team vs my team... plus i added the extra's there... hell i even broke down how i thought you beat the bucs... please you have to have some sort of knoledge in the buc brain to offset my take.

Better yet, i can tell you EXACTLY how the eagles lost that game. Do some homework.

I'll sum up how the Eagles lost that game in two words.

OVER CONFIDENCE

An arguement could be made that the Raiders lost the Super Bowl because of the same issue. Although I believe both the Eagles and the Raiders were simply out coached.

PS - How many years have you been paying for your season tickets?

oh hell, it's too late... i'll double post...

Just to drudge up bad memories... the Eagles lost that game due to one thing. Conservative on Defense in the first 1/2 of the game, where if memory serves me right.. they scored 17 points, with their only score coming off the int return in the second half. And one FG coming from the first drive in the second half.

Bucs fans response to this, OH MY GOD, WE'RE gonna win again...

Simply stated - the better team won that day.

Does that mean the Bucs win the Super Bowl again?
Does it mean they win the season opener? I don't know.

But I like our chances...

GOD I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE SEEN YOUR FACE WHEN KEYSHAWN SCORED AND I WOULD HAVE PAID TO SEE IT WHEN BARBER RAN THE INT IN FOR THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN TD.

You have any pictures? Seriously...

Tell me Yuck fan, who's gonna run the ball this year? Fumblestott? hummer pittman? jones?

What about the loss to the superbowl mvp? was he that good? who's taking his place?

What about the OL that allowed johnson to be sacked and injured last year... didnt you lose one or 2 guys from last year?

Is fat sapp gonna play hard this year, when he knows he is out the door? Did the bucs not also lose one of the LB's?

Cause you see, if you think the bucs are better this year, tell me why. They will have the bullseye on their chest and everyone will be gunning for them... ie carolina wont be giving out free-bee wins. They will most definately play their best game of the year vs the bucs.

You can talk your yuck smack all you wish, but i wont accept a "we won, we'll win again" line... doesnt cut it, unless you are, in fact, that bandwagon type i decribed earlier...

Although I don't feel compelled to respond to you because, quite frankly, at this point you are boring me.

I will address some of your concerns (I'd be concerned about the Bucs if I were you too). The Bucs running game finished 27th in the league last year, yet they won the Super Bowl. At this point they are saying Pittman will start, I'm hopeful he's not even with the team and Jones starts. Whoever starts I'll assure you they will finish better then where they finished last year (when they won the Super Bowl). Wade is our Center acquired from JAX, he replaces Jeff Christy - Wade is an upgrade.

It's laughable that you would even bring up the Bucs Oline as a weakness. Granted they weren't the best unit in the NFL, they allowed zero, "0", sacks against the Eagles. What does that say about your defense?

As far as Dexter Jackson, Super Bowl MVP, his loss won't be felt at ALL. Trust me the Bucs D is so deep that they have already stated that the defense this year will be even better than last year. Be afraid, be very afraid. They are already saying they can't wait to showcase it in week 1, against the Eagles.

OK, You've bored me too long and I've entertained you too long. Try not to have that nightmare again tonight....opps, that wasn't a nightmare the Bucs actually DID beat your eagles in Philly. Sleep well.......not. eek!

Yes, because his wife wants a divorce. He needs extra money for alimony.

Here we go again. . . Phillyfan just can't get the fact that the better team dominated the birds in their own house last season. It must really have been a very LONG 6 months dude. I don't even have to read all your crap here. . . (and didn't). . . but appears to be same arguements you made last year and still had to eat your eagle cap.

Bucs are and will continue to be a power in the NFC. . . and the Eagles will be strong too. . but on paper now, without regard to injuries and the like that's unpredictable, nothing appears changed. . Tampa is a much stronger team than your Eagles and should come out on top again.

Bytheway, I know no Eagle fans other than the few that are here. . . so I guess all those fans that pack your stadium (like the RayJay must be on the bandwagon from the somewhat successful (shy of SB) seasons Philly has put together the past couple of years.

GO Bucs. . .

BigBucBoy

Mr. Yuck Fan,

I'd give at least a LITTLE credit if you thew anything out at all... "we finished 27th running but we won the superbowl." What exactly does that get you next year? nothing.

Can you even name who will be taking the safety spot? who are the candidates? We are deep dont worry.... #1 your DL is not deep, as i remember your starting DT going down and it caused quite the problem in run D.

"You didnt get a sack in the nfc champ game" Sacks are good but in the end they dont mean didly. Give me 10 QB pressures anyday over 3 sacks.

This is now the 2003-4 season. Just saying "we won the superbowl" doesnt mean squat.

However, i'd think you'd have more to worry about in your own division. ATL went out and grabbed a solid #1 WR. Didnt the bucs have a hell of a time with that team in new orleans?

The fact is, NO TEAM in the league is scared of your offense what-so-ever. If TB would address their running game, they just might be the most complete team in the league. TB rode the D into the SB, but are they deep, hardly....

*Someone's* had a bit too much caffine today? Or is it crack since you are from Philly? Either way you should take the blue pill now.

Thank GOD the BUCS beat Philly I'd hate to think I could possibly be as miserable as you obviously are had the Bucs lost. But the Philly curse struck again. Must suck to always get just that close only to lose...

Oh well, such is the life of a Philly fan.

PS - the "yuck" thing is so yesterday. But it makes me laugh to think that losing to the "yucks" has made you're life this miserable.

Go Bucs!

Bucs 27
Eagles 10

Eagle Fans :mad: :mad: :mad:
Bucs Fans wink

New england said the same things last year, but along the way mr brady spent too long looking at himself in the mirror.

You see, this is why buc fans are a joke. You win the SB and you cant even state why you think your team will do well, other than.. well ummmmmm we won we'll do it again... Arent our uniforms pretty? I'm half expecting you guys to say.... All-Stott is hot, we can run the ball, yeah... that is it.

In the end, the buccie fans should worry a little more about ATL and NO rather than the games they have with the iggles. I know, right now, my concern going into the season is... how are the giants going to do...

In the end that game is not going to mean much to open the season, it's how the teams play in the division that gets you to the playoffs.

As far as that first game goes... the nfl really tried to bend the pirates over didnt they? I mean, here is your trophy.... and what's your reward? a trip to philly to open their stadium. If ever the NFL set up a game for the champion to lose, this would be it.

You see, there is no real football fan out there who would dare say eagles fans are bandwagon. Good/Bad they are there, if for anything to have a beer and boo.

At the end of the day, there are NO fans that cheer louder.. or booo louder than philly fans. There are no fans who have higher expectations than eagle fans. Hate some of us for being drunks, or perhaps starting a fight here or there....Dont deny our loyalty... I however, question yours.

Now, do a little homework and get back with me when you are ready to compete...

Looks like I'll be referring back to that post on Sept 9th when the Bucs have ruined your house warming party.

TAKE THE BLUE PILL!!!!

[ July 23, 2003, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: PewterPirate ]

eagles game

[ July 23, 2003, 07:38 AM: Message edited by: PewterPirate ]

In a word, weak...

I think you're "we won one game" is worse than my ever present DOMA agruement.

Then again why would you expect a buc fan to know anything about football... other than when the jumbo-tron tells you to cheer or wave your battle flag...

The envy and jealousy just pours out of your writing phillyfan. I can understand it man, you come from a sports town that has never won a Super Bowl, and now live in a desert with the WORST stadium in the NFL (now that the Vet is history). To top all that off you lost to the "yucks" after boasting for weeks that your eagles were going to the Super Bowl. As far as your "we won one game" statement, yes, we won that one, we won the one that counted!!!

Phillyfan is green with envy

TAKE THE RED PILL NOW.....

PS - My flag from the 49er Playoff game is proudly displayed above my desk. wink

[ July 23, 2003, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: PewterPirate ]

#1 i RARELY make a prediction, especially when it comes to big games like that... the only bold prediction i made last year was the 49ers game.

Now you wish to argue stadiums? Hands down the VET was a better stadium than sun "fry in the sun" devil stadium.

errr what tampa is now the center of the sports universe? How bout the lightning? the devil rays? When the phillies outdraw the drays, you've got a major problem there....

now, do you know anything about your team, or football other than the ONE game you won? I'd highly doubt that. Hurry espn.com... len wrote an article about the buccies, you can copy and paste for a little insight.

I'm a football fan. I don't closely follow the other teams in Tampa. If I did I'd have to say that the Dome sucks, and the Lightning won their division and the Storm won the Arena Bowl. Raymond James Stadium the jewel of the NFL!!!!

MY SEASON TICKETS JUST CAME - NICE!!!
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!
NICE RINGS!!!
GREAT GRAPHICS on the tickets!!!!

OF COURSE you dont follow the other teams they havent won anything, duh... why would you follow them? you're making my point...

Arena Football? Get out of here with that garbage. Does anyone watch that crap? perhaps in tampa they do.

I have a feeling Phillyfan is a bitter old lesbian who hasn't been laid in years by reading all this crap. Seems like he/she is trying to make a case and point for a "Paper" champion. Note: The Bucs grew out of that last year!
Come on down to Tampa and party with the big boys at Ray Jay, I'll buy ya a beer! And this one you wont have to wear!
P.S.- If you do want to talk Tampa Bay sports, I am your man! I am a native and root for all the teams, not matter how poorly or well they are doing. The new stadium for the Phillies is going to be great come spring too!

Hillyfan,
Have you processed anything I've said???
I've had season tickets to the Bucs since 1989, (NOT 1999) ah, they were far from "winners" then, yet there I was week after week supporting them. I've paid my "dues", as have the Bucs and deserve to sit atop the football world today.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Bucs 27
eagles 10

It doesn't matter. He's just going to keep replying in the same way that he has all along.

3 tampa fan on one board? errrr, yeah right. Ya'all just come out of the wood work dont ya?

I'm going to turn this around, i'm the one with the chip on the shoulder? eh, i said my peace with that game a month after it happened. God knows, it's not my only sports let down from any of my teams. Whereas on the tampa side, it must have been quite the load off ones shoulders to have the EVIL Iggle empire lifted from your shoulders. Hence, all you can do is gloat.

This coming season, that one win means absolutely nothing. the SB win, nothing. the 2 previous wild card thrashings, nothing. The smack down in the regular season, means nothing.

You see, you cant come in and say... oh we're sb champs, we will win the first game. I think ANY TB fan looks at that game and says... oh, the NFL hates us... back to philly again. Was there EVER a bigger set up for TB getting takin to the woodshed than this coming game?... you know it, i know it.

So long as whoever (that picks up hugh's spot at DE) is productive, and the LB's are healthy. PF knows that IF Iggles go out and play physical, Blitz Johnson and knock him down, run the ball on O, then take 1 or 2 shots deep... I'll take my chances with them winning that game. History dictates they win that game. Hence the 1-4 record vs the eagles.

Unlike Vick, Dmac gives Tampa fits. Over the last 5 games, he's beaten them throwing and running the ball. I'm thinking that ankle is healed too... Believe me Dmac doesnt beat many teams throwing the ball... See, i'm not afraid to trash my team a little, you are just not allowed to...

This PROVES you know nothing about football. With the new alignment, the schedule has been laid out thru 2008 (or close to that). The only thing left for interpretation is division winners and the seeding for that. THAT is why we play the Eagles again (Bucs finished 1st in the division as did Philly, this explains why we play GB again). I could care less where it is and frankly, I'm glad it's IN philly and the first game in the new stadium - the Bucs shut down the Vet and they'll open the new one in the same fashion. See I LOVE the fact they we dashed your Super Bowl drean @ Philly, just as I'll love the challenge and the win to open the season in your new stadium, on national tv @ Philly.



Additionally, the Bucs DO have something you've NEVER had - SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP and the rings and fame that go with it. If you think you're sick of the Bucs now, wait till the season starts and you see Sapp, Lynch, and Keyshawn in all the commercials during the games!

It wasn't a "load off our shoulders" to beat the Eagles, it was an INCREDIBLE feeling to win the Super Bowl. Then again, you wouldn't know how that feels.

If you wish to split hairs, the reason they play this year is because the Iggles are scheduled to play the entire NFC South, not for finishing in first....

Correct, in addition to playing the NFC East the Bucs play the AFC South.

Which other division does the NFC East play?

Christ give it a rest already! Better yet take it private!

UH OH, the thread police have showed up.... watch out... maybe skip thread is a better option for you....

and the afc east is this year to answer your question.

Awww, George, I was just starting to enjoy this! I mean, passion exhibited by NFL fans? You guys usually are just all, "Pass the wings, I'll get another pitcher."

38 more days!

gj

GJ you are supposed to say something about the ball coach.... then i say danny boy should close his purse... then you say... and then i say,


skins could very well open up 0-6. Be afriad.

OK, uhhhhh...(pretending like I care about NFL, but knowing that I'm s'posed to cause of the Head Ball Coach, 'n' all)

Uhhh, YEAH, Phil, uhhh...how much does that Eagles coach make, anyway, huh? And, uhhh, are his wife and daughters as hot as the Spur-Dog's? And, uhhh... thanks for being kind to the Skins in your preview. We may need it.

Then again, I'm gonna have another (ahem) challenging season of Saturdays, so PASS THE WINGS AND THE PITCHER. No pork chops, please.

GatorJ

do you want gravy on those wings babe?

Thanks but no, bub. Gotta maintain my churlish figure. wink

gj

Then NO RANCH dressing for you toots.

Then pass the chardonnay and brie!

(Oh, wait, I don't have 49er's tickets anymore... )

:cool:

To get this back to the topic at hand wink and to make PhillyFan happy, this writer from the Phila. Daily News says that the Eagles will win the Super Bowl this season. And if you think it's just homerism talking, his pick last year at this time was....the Bucs.

Well, i think the writer is concentrating on the sack production of douglas... I take a different view... What allowed Barber to have his production was, in fact, the constant double teaming of douglas, which allowed barber to blow up most of the plays to that side of the D. When Barber didnt blow it up, Douglas came free. Same goes for Darwin Walker. Whoever takes the place of HUUUUUGH, will not be double teamed to the same extent.

The problem with that side is not going to be sack production, because in JJ's Scheme, the sacks will come from every angle. The problem is going to be when a RB such as Tiki runs out to that side, or the QB rolls out to that side. Who's going to come free and stop it?

Emmons and Whiting are quite under rated, and PF has no concern on that side of the line.

JJ has also been raving about Simoneau at MLB. Good/Bad however he turns out... the guy has had injury problems, and playing all 16 games might be a stretch right now. Who is the back up? hell if Wayne gets hurt, who's his back up? That is going to be the problem.

Mark this down right now.. the Iggle Ground Game will be able to grind it out this year... the question that remains... will they? Or will the fat man go to his 3 yard and a cloud of dust passing game?

Yes, the schedule is tough, but the tough games are home games for the most part. Win the division games and you are in the playoffs, thats concern number 1.. not the TB game... not the AFC east games...

[ July 24, 2003, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: PhillyFan ]

no, you can lose to the Bucs and still win the division.

thanks for re-posting what i already posted.

PF just did a little schedule breakdown for you pukepirate, heh heh....

I see 4 teams on the schedule which you could say have power running games, which gives the bucs fits.... @ philly, Indy, Giants, and @ tenn. The 2 games against NO should also be a concern as they swept the series last year.

Then, right smack dab in the middle of the schedule is the @ jax game... always a slip up for an NFC team. You can book that slip up right now, happens every single year... no matter how good jax is playing.

The GB game could also pose intresting as the whole revenge factor for the illegal sapp hit comes into play.

Speaking of GB, Look at their cake schedule... the first 5 games are gimme games. They literally have 8 gimme games going, nice to play in a weak division... sorta gets brutal in the 2nd half of the season.

That said... in looking at these schedules, i'm not seeing how any team in the NFC who gets to say 11 wins, wont have home field.

oh you silly, silly, little boy.

Just because Jax slapped your azz from Jax to Philly and back means nothing when the Bucs come to town. As far as Green Bay goes, they have NEVER won at RJS - NEVER. Favre will throw at least 3-4 int again.

Look at the schedule again and then look at the 4 games the Bucs lost last year and look at the margin of the loss. The Bucs will be BETTER this year. Care to place a bet on it? Guarantee you they finish with a better record than your birds. I don't even know if the Eagles are going to win the division this year. Your defense has degressed and I don't see your offense doing as well as they did last year. I see 9-7 at best for the Eagles.

This is too easy.....

PF looked at the games last year and this is what i came up with...

First of all, i'm throwing out 3 games...2 were blowouts (atl and cincy) and the final game vs chicago, who we would all agree was a broken team.

Lets look at some wins... in games against..

Green bay... -3 yards rushing, relatively even in TOP. If you watched this game, we all know it was a toss up unti late in the game.
Carolina... +4 rushing, considerably won the TOP.
Cleveland... +126 rushing and relatively even in TOP
Baltimore... +19 in rushing, won top
ATL.... +4 rushing, even in TOP
Minn... - 40 rushing, but won top. However i think TO's came into play.

Games that tampa squeeked out... barely...
Detroit... -21 rushing, and won the top
St louis... - 26 rushing, lost top

Now your 4 losses...

2 to New Orleans... combined... -46 rushing and -72 rushing, split the top

Pitt... -20 rushing and lost the TOP
Philly... -78 rushing and lost TOP.

All of the loses have something in common, TB was out rushed and for the most part and the winning team won the TOP. Which means they grinded the clock down. The games that tampa won, they clearly were even or plus in rushing and quite often won the TOP. Also notice in the sqeeker games, the rushing yard were relatively even or minus.

What does that tell me? If you run the ball down tampa's throat, they lose or it comes down to a late fg or OT. The only game tampa won that they got outrushed in here, that was against MN, and well all know they are far from a physical team.

To simply look at scoring margin is not wise, cause everyone knows that grind it out games are rarely blowouts. Pitt only won 17-7, however i think we can all agree that TB was soundly beat in that game. At NO time did they have a chance to win.

So now, what were you saying?