Peek at the Week: 'Skins hope Bucs are cure for slump

Game of the week

Washington at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Tampa Bay by 2½

The injuries: Washington fullback Mike Sellers missed practice Thursday with a back injury and is questionable. That's significant because the Redskins have no reserve fullbacks or H-backs on their roster. Wide receiver James Thrash (high-ankle sprain) is also hurt, as is safety Sean Taylor (sprained knee). Neither is expected to play. Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin missed Thursday's practice with an ankle injury.

The Redskins will keep feeding Clinton Portis in hopes of wearing down the opposition. (AP)

Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman aggravated a sprained ankle in practice this week and could miss Sunday's game. Fullback B.J. Askew (ankle) did not practice Thursday and his status is questionable. If Pittman is unable to play, look for the club to activate Michael Bennett.

The story: Funny thing about these Bucs -- they were supposed to have as much life as midnight in St. Pete, yet they look like they'll wind up winning the NFC South. One reason is Jeff Garcia, their quarterback. He's playing error-free football and doing just enough to keep the Bucs out of trouble. Another is wide receiver Joey Galloway, who seems to get faster as he gets older. But the biggest reason is the defense, which is keeping opponents close and quarterbacks frazzled. Only once in five home dates have the Bucs allowed more than 14 points, and that was to Jacksonville.

Tampa Bay will make it hard on the Redskins, but I liked what I saw from Washington in its loss to Dallas a week ago. This club isn't designed to blow out opponents; it's built to wear them down, and that could happen if Clinton Portis continues to make the tough yards. Jason Campbell isn't a terrific passer, but he's good enough to beat you -- and he can confound the Bucs if Washington's running game is going. Remember, when Portis rushes for 100 or more yards his teams are 26-9.

The Redskins have lost three of their past four and must make something happen in a hurry if they're serious about making it to the playoffs. When Joe Gibbs says "you measure yourself against the real good teams," Washington doesn't look all that bad. I'm serious. It came close to Dallas and should've beaten Green Bay.

That means the Redskins, in all likelihood, are battling Detroit, Arizona and Philadelphia for wild-card spots. It also means that the battle starts with a Tampa Bay team that has exceeded all expectations -- particularly because it's doing this without star running back Carnell Williams. There is nothing extraordinary about the Bucs other than they find ways to win. Garcia has been efficient; Galloway has been extraordinary and Earnest Graham has been a surprise. The Redskins are vulnerable to the pass, especially with Taylor missing, so expect Garcia to try to exploit them with Galloway and Ike Hilliard.

One other thing: The Bucs have won their past six regular-season games vs. Washington here, but the Redskins won the one that mattered most -- a 17-10 victory in the 2005 playoffs. Expect this one to be close, with Washington pressing to straighten itself out.

Three games I'd like to see

Denver at Chicago, 1 p.m. ET | Preview | Endzone

I'm not sure why this interests me, except I want to see what these Broncos are all about. When I saw them earlier this year I thought it was one of the worst Mike Shanahan-coached teams I had seen. But Shanahan patched holes, pointed his quarterback downfield and, lo and behold, that's Denver tied with San Diego atop the AFC West.

Jay Cutler will get a boost with the return of his top target. (AP)

I still don't think much of the Broncos, but their two-game winning streak has my attention. So has the recent play of their defense, which still remains vulnerable to the run but which choked off its past two opponents.

This could be a big game for Chicago's Cedric Benson, but I said that when he played the Raiders and had to carry 28 times to manage 72 yards. The guy has one 100-yard game this season, over two months ago. I think we're beginning to get the message. The Bears sacrificed plenty when they let Thomas Jones go. Nevertheless, Benson looked decent a week ago against Seattle and should have the opportunity to peel off yards against a defense that surrenders 4.7 yards per carry.

That's the good news. The bad is that Rex Grossman is back in the picture for Bears fans to heckle and get used to it. It looks as if he's not going anywhere. Grossman has his moments, but he still makes too many mistakes -- as do his teammates, with the Bears' 24 giveaways the league's fourth-highest total.

Denver's problem, meanwhile, might have more to do with the schedule than with the Bears. The Broncos are operating on a short work week, though it hasn't seemed to bother other Monday night victors. They are 8-3 in their next starts.

The Broncos are expected to have wide receiver Javon Walker, and that can only help Jay Cutler. Walker has missed seven games with a knee injury but practiced this week for the first time since September. The Bears are vulnerable to the pass, with opposing quarterbacks completing 66 percent of their deliveries. Given the choice I'll take Cutler over Benson.

Something to consider: Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly rank first and second among active cornerbacks for most interceptions since 1999. I mention that because of the opponent: Grossman.

Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The pickins are slim this week, so ease off.

Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jags will be tough for Buffalo to handle. (AP)

The Bills are hurting, and I'm not talking about the lingering effects of that 56-10 thumping they absorbed last weekend. I'm talking about Marshawn Lynch, a guy who has had a hand in seven of their 11 offensive touchdowns. He's still hurt, and he's not playing. That's trouble for the visiting team. There's only so much J.P. Losman can do before you begin to recognize the Bills are handicapped.

Basically, the Bills must play a perfect game to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are on a two-game winning streak on the road. But look at those wins a little more closely: They were against Miami and the New York Jets, opponents with a combined record of 2-19.

And both those victories were with Lynch in the lineup.

Jacksonville is starting to build momentum, with Maurice Jones-Drew the catalyst. Don't forget David Garrard. He doesn't have gaudy numbers, but there's one thing you can't help but notice: He doesn't make mistakes. He's thrown 172 passes this year and no interceptions. Impressive.

If Jacksonville stays out of trouble and Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor are as effective as they have been in past games, this should be no trouble for the home team. It's not that they have too many weapons for Buffalo; it's that the Bills don't have enough for Jacksonville.

Something to consider: The Jags have run for 100 or more yards in 20 or their past 22 games.

Baltimore at San Diego, 4:15 p.m. ET | Preview

Two months ago this looked like a marquee game. Now it's a couple of so-so teams that are among the season's biggest disappointments. At least the Chargers have a chance to repeat as division champs. Baltimore is trying to keep itself out of last place in the AFC North, and good luck.

QB Kyle Boller remains under a microscope in Baltimore. (AP)

Kyle Boller makes his second straight start for the woebegone Ravens, and they might have a chance if Brian Billick lets him play as he did in the second half of last weekend's loss to Cleveland. In that game, Boller regained his composure after an underwhelming first half and led the Ravens to what should have been a 30-27 victory. Unfortunately for him and his teammates, someone forgot to tell Matt Stover not to kick to Joshua Cribbs -- either at the end of the game or in overtime.

Anyway, Boller is on trial again, and if Baltimore doesn't like what it sees the Ravens are in the quarterback market again. Willis McGahee will help Boller's cause, but the Ravens better fix their offensive line. It had Boller sacked six times last week and gave McGahee little to run through until the second half.

Let's be honest here: Baltimore's problem is not the Chargers but itself. The Ravens can't get out of their own way. They have committed 14 turnovers the past three games and are tied with Houston for most giveaways with 26. I'm sorry, but this team is not designed to win that way. There is nothing wrong with Baltimore's defense, but it can't continue to defend short fields and survive. Besides, it just lost defensive lineman Trevor Pryce, another blow to a club ravaged by injuries.

San Diego, meanwhile, is one of the league's enigmas. One week the Bolts look great; the next they look like the '71 Padres. A lot of people have their theories, but let me start with the offense: It's simply not what it was a year ago. Philip Rivers' numbers are down, LaDainian Tomlinson isn't getting the touches or the production and Antonio Gates has started to fade from the scene. The club already has more turnovers (18) than it had all last season, and it spends less than half the game on the field. Only six clubs have a worse time of possession than the Chargers' average of 28:32.

The Ravens could be just what San Diego needs at this point in the season. Baltimore is spiraling downward, caught in a four-game skid that shows no sign of ending, while the Chargers are 4-1 at home -- knocking off Indianapolis in their last appearance there.

Something to consider: The Chargers have won their past five home games in November.

Crummy game of the week

Oakland at Kansas City, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

Daunte Culpepper doesn't conjure images of past Raiders glory. (AP)

The Raiders have lost six straight. The Chiefs have lost three in a row, plus running back Priest Holmes. Usually, these games are close, but that can't save this one for me. Oakland ranks 24th in offense, the Chiefs 30th. Great. A low-scoring game between two clubs not going anywhere.

A loss would solidify last place in the AFC West for the Raiders, which is where they are going anyway. A victory would keep the Chiefs no worse than one game off the division lead.

Once, this was Dawson vs. Lamonica. Now it's Daunte Culpepper vs. Brodie Croyle. Pardon me, but I'd like to turn back the clock.

Something to consider: The Chiefs won the last nine in this series. Just lose, baby.

Upset of the week

St. Louis (+2½) over Seattle, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

If Marc Bulger has time, the Rams could be dangerous. (AP)

I know the Rams were unimpressive in their defeat of the 49ers, but they're on a two-game roll and Marc Bulger is beginning to wake up from his long autumn's nap. Even Steven Jackson looked like himself a week ago.

It's not that I don't like the Seahawks. I just don't have a conviction about them. Plus there is this: They don't travel well, losing three of their four road games, and they usually don't play well here. They did win their past two at the Too Tall Dome, but by a total of eight points. They also dropped the three before that. If the Rams keep Seattle's pass rushers off Bulger they win.

Something to consider: During their eight-game losing streak the Rams averaged three turnovers a game. They didn't commit one giveaway their last two starts and won both of them.

Five guys I'd like to be

Clinton Portis, RB, Washington: Because he has a history of clobbering the Bucs. In his past two games against Tampa Bay he has 292 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In his past three, he has 369 yards and three scores. I think you get the picture.

The dream season continues for Derek Anderson. (AP)

John Fox, head coach, Carolina: Because he just found a team he can beat. Fox is 8-3 against the Saints.

Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland: Because he hasn't lost at home. He's 4-0, with 10 touchdowns, 3 interceptions and a passer rating of 109.0.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle: Because he has won his past four against the Rams.

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona: Because he gets to play San Francisco, an opponent he always beats. Warner is 7-0 against the 49ers with 17 touchdowns and a passer rating of 101.2. Including the playoffs, when Warner has a passer rating of 100 or higher his teams are 29-3.

Stat of the week

In the months of November and December the Philadelphia Eagles are second in the NFL in overall winning percentage (.721) and first in road winning percentage (.750).

He said it

"I'm not really anticipating anything." -- Miami coach Cam Cameron on the immediate future of Ricky Williams

Where we will be

I'll be in Foxborough as a witness to the execution