NFC Championship preview -- Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, defense against defense

"When we were looking on the sidelines (and) seeing what defense is being signaled in and we're like, 'Oh, man, we've got another blitz,'" said Philadelphia Eagle's cornerback Bobby Taylor. "But it's a joke that we make amongst ourselves, but we love it."

That's because blitzing is a common thing to do for the fourth best defense in the NFL under Eagle's defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, whose squad will try to shutdown Tampa Bay this Sunday for the fourth time in a row.

In their last three meetings, all in Veteran Stadium, the Buccaneers didn't score an offensive touchdown, and were eliminated from the 2001 and 2002 playoffs in the first two.

This time another Super Bowl berth is at stake for the winner. To be able to get there, however, Tampa Bay not only has to be able to score against a defense that shutdown the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick last week, they will also have to erase the myth that says they cannot win in cold weather when the temperature is below 30 degrees, just what is expected in Philadelphia this Sunday afternoon.

Will the Bucs score a touchdown this time?

Last week Philadelphia gave up more than 200 passing yards to Vick, but didn't allowed a touchdown.

This Sunday things will be different, because Tampa's offense seems to be finely tuned with Brad Johnson (who's probable for the game, but should play) at the controls.

While it is true that, in their last game on October 20th, the Eagles sacked Johnson six times and forced him out of the game with sore ribs, Tampa's offensive line seems to be holding on just a little bit better in recent games. However, I don't think they will be able to control the Eagles' defensive line of Brandon Whiting, Corey Simon, Darwin Walker and Hugh Douglas for more than two quarters, so they must score early.

Expect Tampa to use some screen passes with Mike Alsttot and Michael Pittman as well, before trying to set up their passing attack against Philadelphia cornerbacks, who are the tallest in the league.

The Buccaneers wide receivers will have to run short routes and keep their offensive rhythm flowing to be able to pass the ball, because their wideouts, although tall, are slower than the Eagles secondary.

ALso expect a lot of two tight ends formations, with Rickey Dudley staying back to help with Johnson's protection, and Ken Dilger trying to grab the linebacker's attention.

Tampa Bay will not score much, but I believe a touchdown is enough to forecast.

Will the Eagles be able to run through the Bucs?

Although Philadelphia has a very strong offensive line, their rushing attack has been decaying the last few games, as seen week 17 against the Giants, when Duce Staley only ran for 28 yards, and then against the Falcons, when he rushed for only 63 yards.

In fact the Eagles only moved the ball against Atlanta when they used spread formations with three wide receivers and more, something you don't want to do much against Tampa, which has the best pass defense in the league.

Philadelphia, which only scored one offensive touchdown against the Falcons, will find scoring a lot more difficult against Tampa Bay.

Flash back to October 20th again: Philadelphia beat the Bucs because they were able to run the ball with Staley, and were afraid of McNabb's scrambles.

This time around, I think McNabb's ankle is still not at a hundred percent, but early in the game he will run in low risk plays to scare the defense, something that should give him a little more time to throw the ball later in the game.

If the Eagles are unable to run early, they could be in trouble.

This should be a low scoring game, worthy of the old "defense win championships" style, with Philadelphia celebrating on the last play at the end of the day.

Almost useless fact:

Two years ago, ESPN The Magazine said that each time a team has three players with the same last name, they go to win the Super Bowl. That year the lucky ones were the Baltimore Ravens with WR Jermaine Lewis, RB Jamal Lewis, and LB Ray Lewis.

This year's lucky squad: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with three Johnon's -- WR Keyshawn, and QB's Brad and Rob.