The Bucs look to avoid a double-digit losing streak

October 18, 12:28 PMTampa Bay Buccaneers ExaminerJ.J. Rodriguez

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The Bucs and Panthers square off this afternoon in a battle of the NFC South bottom-feeders. The Panthers were able to eek out a win over Washington last week, while the Bucs lost in Philadelphia, running their losing streak to nine games. The Bucs will regain the services of C Jeff Faine, who has missed the past four games with a triceps injury. Faine was missed tremendously over that span, as the Bucs' ground attack was completely inept.

The Panthers may be Tampa Bay's last chance to win for the next few weeks, as their upcoming schedule is unforgiving. Their next five games are as follows: New England (in London), Green Bay, @ Miami, New Orleans, @ Atlanta.

Tampa Bay traded DE Gaines Adams to Chicago for a 2nd round pick in 2010, thus attempting to shake up a defensive front that has grossly underperformed this season. The Bucs' pass rush has been unreliable and has allowed opposing quarterbacks to carve up their secondary. The good news today is, Carolina QB Jake Delhomme has been as equally unreliable for Carolina, throwing eight interceptions this season. If the Bucs can pressure Delhomme, they may be able to rattle him and force him into making bad decisions. However, the Bucs haven't shown me, or anyone else for that matter, that they can pressure anyone consistently.

Not to mention, Carolina RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart ran for nearly 300 yards combined the last time these two teams met in December last season. The Bucs can expect a heavy dose of them once again, which as history and this season has shown us, does not bode well for Tampa Bay.  My prediction: Carolina 27, Tampa Bay 17

NFL WEEK 6 SCHEDULE
Houston @ Cincinnatti                    Prediction: Bengals
Detroit @ Green Bay                       Prediction: Packers
St. Louis @ Jacksonville               Prediction: Jaguars
Baltimore @ Minnesota                 Prediction: Ravens
New York (G) @ New Orleans       Prediction: Saints
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh                  Prediction: Steelers
Kansas City @ Washington           Prediction: Chiefs            UPSET SPECIAL
Philadelphia @ Oakland                 Prediction: Eagles
Arizona @ Seattle                            Prediction: Cardinals
Tennessee @ New England          Prediction: Patriots
Buffalo @ New York (J)                  Prediction: Jets
Chicago @ Atlanta                           Prediction: Falcons
MONDAY NIGHT
Denver @ San Diego                       Prediction: Chargers

Last week's record: 8-6; Season record: 48-27; Upset Special's: 2-3

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