Predictor Pete - Week 14

The Bucs play a critical game this week in Carolina against the division leading Panthers. The winner of this game could have an inside edge to one of the home field advantages in the playoffs. Seattle is the front runner in the NFC and has a pretty weak schedule, so they should remain in the top spot in the NFC playoff hunt. The second seed is up for grabs and the winner of the Bucs/Panthers could decide that seed.

Again, a road divisional game is tough. So far, the Bucs have done well, winning both divisional road games in Atlanta and New Orleans/Baton Rouge. But the Panthers beat up the Falcons pretty badly last week in Carolina and look very tough to beat.

The only hope for the Bucs is to get the breaks the Panthers did when these teams first met a few weeks ago in Tampa Bay. In that game, the Bucs made costly turnovers that turned into points, the Panthers ran the ball well, converted third downs and did not turn the ball over. The Bucs have to have that type of perfect game to win a road game. They have to force turnovers. They have to turn those turnovers into points. They have to run well and convert on third downs. The Panthers have a tough defense, so that is a tall order. But, as we've seen this year, anything can happen.

Our last two trips to Carolina the games were lost due to bad field goal kicking... and we're going into this game with either France, a replacement kicker, or Bryant, our injured starter... neither option gives me a lot of comfot. My biggest fear going into this week, however, is that the Bucs defense seems incapable of stopping teams on third down unless they get a turn over. They must get a lot of three-and-outs in order to get the edge on the road.

My Heart: Bucs 21-20.
My Mind: Panthers 24-17.
My Colon: Panthers 29-13.

My Pick: Panthers 20-17...

If the Bucs win, they share first place in the NFC South with the Panthers with an edge over inter-divisional play. If they lose, they fall with the Falcons two games behind the Panthers and the Bucs will have to fight it out with the rest of the above average teams in the NFC to get the three wild-card spots.

This is a big game. The playoffs, as far as the Bucs are concerned, start this week. Its time to put up or shut up.

My Record: 8-4