With Mike Alstott running for the tough yards inside, Tampa Bay's rushing attack is in good hands. That's a scary thought for the rest of the NFL, but he's right. Three weeks into the season it's clear that the defending Super Bowl champion Rams have serious shortcomings on defense, and every AFC contender is flawed. So here are seven reasons why Tampa Bay will win it all. The Defense Never Rests.
Every week there's a new hero.
The emergence of McFarland, a 1999 first-round draft pick out of LSU, led to the Bucs' waiving Brad Culpepper, a fan favorite and a buddy of Sapp's. With Tampa Bay sitting on a 24-10 lead, McFarland and defensive end Chidi Ahanotu combined on a sack that knocked the Lions out of field goal range. The Intimidation Factor. Fourth quarter, Detroit still trailing by 14 with the ball at its 42. Charlie Batch passes 31 yards up the right seam for tight end David Sloan, who, with free safety Damien Robinson closing fast, pulls up short of the ball instead.