ESPN NFL

Tampa Bay offense vs. St. Louis defense

St. Louis' underrated defense came up huge last week against Minnesota in the third quarter, holding the Vikings to just seven plays and negative two yards while forcing a pair of fumbles. Minnesota had moderate success running the ball (87 yards on 29 carries) but don't expect Tampa to remain loyal to their ball-control approach this week.

Injuries along the offensive line have crippled the Bucs' ground game. In last week's win over Washington, Tampa Bay was held to just 44 yards on 27 carries. FB Mike Alstott rarely had any running room and he's not the type of back that can consistently create things on his own. Under normal circumstances, St. Louis' smallish defensive front seven would be the perfect matchup for the Bucs powerful ground game, but Minnesota's defensive line is too athletic for Tampa's injury-depleted line to attack.

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