The Bucs obviously will try to run the ball early to keep the Eagles relentless pass rushers honest. Johnson is a stand-up pocket quarterback who relies on his blockers to keep him upright. ![]() In his past seven games, he has thrown 18 touchdown passes with two interceptions, and the Bucs have averaged 27.2 points over that same 6-1 span. Johnson has been his team's most valuable offensive player this season, especially over the second half of the season. They've dominated us the last three times we've played, so if you're going to win it, you might as well win it up there." "There's no better environment, no greater challenge than what we're getting ready to face. "I'm looking forward to it," said Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson, a former Redskin. The oddsmakers apparently agree, because Philadelphia is only a four-point favorite to go to its first Super Bowl since the 1980 season, when Dick Vermeil was the head coach. Still, the Eagles are preaching caution, insisting history does not matter, especially in a game of this magnitude. ![]() In the past two playoff losses to the Eagles, the Bucs have been outscored 52-12. Their only touchdown in this season's Philadelphia victory came on a fumble recovery by outside linebacker Derrick Brooks. Specifically, the Bucs have not scored an offensive touchdown in the teams' last three meetings. The Bucs have far more to worry about than the rodents, the cups of beer that will be thrown at them, along with the batteries, some imbedded in snowballs if the white stuff is available. But it's the best home-field advantage I've ever seen. Said Welbourn, "It smells like beer, stale peanuts and garbage, a funny smell. I don't know about the cats being dead, unless the rats just ate up the cats and got bigger." "You'll have your birds, and I think the rats have been pretty much killed by the cats. "I once saw this homely looking bug it was splattered all over the field. The Eagles aren't exactly waxing nostalgic for the Vet, but they also know it may be their biggest ally on Sunday, despite having to endure so many seasons playing in what even team owner Jeff Lurie has described as "a dump."Įagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said he mostly remembers "dead things" at the Vet. 20, and that the Bucs surely have all manner of mental baggage packed in their suitcases for this latest trip north. But privately, there is an air of confidence in their locker room knowing they've already beaten Tampa Bay convincingly, 20-10 Oct. Publicly, the Eagles dismiss the idea that they've got the Bucs' number, especially in their own building. Oh yes, they're also 0-6 on the road in the postseason. Tampa Bay's only win in the cold came three weeks ago against the playing-out-the-string Chicago Bears in the last game of the regular season. The Bucs (13-4) also are 1-21 in games played when the temperature is 40 or lower and have been thumped out of the playoffs each of the past two seasons by Philadelphia. And with temperatures expected in the mid-twenties and the possibility of snow showers, the elements do not bode well for a Tampa Bay team that has lost its past four games to the Eagles in the crumbling, rat-infested edifice at the corner of Pattison and Broad. The Vet can be a very intimidating place, a Green Hole if ever there were one, even if it will be torn down after the Philadelphia Phillies complete their 2003 season there. The winner moves on to the Super Bowl a week from today in San Diego against the AFC champion, either the Oakland Raiders or the team they will host Sunday at their own snakepit Black Hole of a stadium, the Tennessee Titans. ![]() The Eagles (13-4) will be playing their final game in 32-year-old Veterans Stadium, in front of their boisterous fans, many of whom have been known to use cups of beer and AA batteries for purposes other than what they were originally intended. Of all the ways one could break down the matchups for today's NFC championship game between the Eagles and the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one overwhelming distinction stands out. "It's what we worked for all season, and we've got it." "About all Andy said after that game was 'Home-field advantage,' " said Eagles offensive tackle John Welbourn. Louis a year ago, Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid did not mince words after his team fell 29-24 to the Rams. In the gloom of the losers' dressing room at the NFC title game in St.
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