Like it or not, T.O. is going prime time

[Eagle091]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2631636

3. Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts had a gaping hole in the middle of their run defense, so they traded for Bucs defensive tackle Anthony McFarland. Plus, Tony Dungy has spent the bye week working on interior run defense techniques. Without getting too complicated, the Colts' run defense technique wasn't right in first halves of games. Dungy and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks would make a few adjustments at the half, and the Colts would do better in second halves. Linebackers were getting out of their run gaps to help the defensive linemen. It was a mess. McFarland provides a big body to match up better against offensive lines. Sunday's game against the Redskins will be a good test because the Redskins may go back to a running game. After a home loss to the Titans, fans and critics are calling for the Redskins to go back to Joe Gibbs Redskins football. They want more running. They want a more physical brand of football. At 2-4, the Redskins are on the verge of falling out of the playoff race early. Mark Brunell had a toenail ripped off when a Titans defensive lineman stepped on his foot. After that, he struggled throwing the football. In Washington, everyone knows Brunell plays well until his legs wear out. Even though a toenail is a minor injury, any problems with Brunell's legs or feet are not good thing for the offense

1. Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Eagles need to bounce back from their tough loss at New Orleans. They can't come into the game overconfident. The Bucs are actually playing pretty good football since going with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback. Even though it's showing age, the Bucs' defense is still pretty good. They traded defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, but that shouldn't be a big factor to the Eagles. They don't focus on running the ball up the middle. QB Donovan McNabb will be throwing into a pass defense that usually restricts quarterback ratings in the 60s or 70s. This year, they are allowing a quarterback rating of 90.4, showing they are losing their legs because of age. Don't discount a great game plan from defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. The Eagles should win this game, but they have to make sure they play better than they did against the Saints.

The reason the pressure is on the Cowboys more than the Giants is that next week the Cowboys will embark on the dreaded three-game road trip. The NFL usually schedules three-game road trips for only four or five teams each season, and through the years those trips have been hard on teams.

It's hard to win three consecutive road games. If the Cowboys lose to the Giants and hit that road trip on a short week, they would be at 3-3 and reeling. They play at Carolina, at Washington and at Arizona. Owens will complain about not getting the ball enough if they are winning, but if they are losing, the explosion will be heard around the league.

Welcome back to T.O. TV.