Special teams crucial to Gruden Bowl I

Gruden Bowl I may be hyped as the showdown between the best offense and the best defense, but as I see it, special teams will settle the score.

Recent history in big games has proven special teams are crucial, yet they are often overlooked.

An example was the Patriots last year. They beat the Steelers on special teams with a punt return for a touchdown that broke the Steelers' back and vaulted the Pats to the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl itself was then settled by the leg of Adam Vinatieri, who kicked the winning field goal for New England.

This year's playoffs have been no different. For example, the Giants-49ers game came down to a botched field goal.

In my opinion, special teams in this Super Bowl will have a huge impact on the outcome.

The Bucs special teams are just bad to put it bluntly. They have never returned a kickoff for a touchdown in team history, Tom Tupa's nine-yard punt in the NFC championship game was a joke, and their kickoff coverage against the Eagles was horrible. The only thing they have going for them is Martin Gramatica, who is a solid place kicker.

Compare that with the Raiders.

The Raiders offset Gramatica with Sebastian Janikowski, who is just as good, if not better. In addition, the Raiders have a much better kickoff team, with the big leg of Janikowski and better kick coverage. They have also returned a kickoff for a touchdown this year, so that at least shows some potential.

The Oakland punting game is just average, but Tampa's is definitely inferior, and field position alone could win this game for the Raiders. They may be taking on the league's best defense, but driving only 60 yards is a lot easier than 80.

I predict some big kickoff returns for Oakland and at least one poor punt out of Tupa.

Field position also should account for the Raiders getting over 21 points, which is probably more than that pathetic Tampa offense can put up against the underrated Raider D.

Once the Raiders get the lead by a few scores, Tampa QB Brad Johnson will start forcing too many passes and interceptions will become a dime a dozen.

Another key name to look for in this game is Oakland safety Rod Woodson. He has been around the ball all year long, and has caused a lot of turnovers. I expect him to force a big turnover in this game that could possibly break the back of the Bucs.

The only way the Bucs stand a chance of actually winning this game is if Oakland QB Rich Gannon gets hurt. Gannon has taken every snap this year and there is no way that the Raiders' offense could function without him.

So sorry Tampa, special teams will be your downfall as Oakland wins the Super Bowl.