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KICKOFF: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Qualcomm Stadium. TV: FOX, Rosen, David Diehl, Holly Sonders. SERIES HISTORY: 11th meeting. The Chargers lead the series, 8-2. The Chargers have won two of the last three matchups, with the loss coming the last time they played in 2012 at Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) at San Diego Chargers (5-6)
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KEYS TO THE GAME:
These are two teams other teams don't want to play right now. So they play each other to see who is hot and who is not.
The Chargers need to get back to riding RB Melvin Gordon -- against the Bucs would seem to be the right opportunity. While there are holes in the Bucs' pass defense, it is coming off a sensational game in which it shut down Seattle's Russell Wilson. Instead of QB Philip Rivers trying to force the ball into tight coverages, the Chargers should stick to a running game for a change -- taking the load off Rivers and keeping Bucs QB Jameis Winston off the field.
The Bucs have been winning with defense and creating turnovers. Offensively, they have moved the football, but points have been hard to come by the past two games.
Tampa Bay scored 19 at Kansas City but just one touchdown. Against Seattle, the Bucs drove for touchdowns on their first two possessions but were shut out the rest of the game. A missed field goal, a fumble and an interception all snuffed out scoring chances.
Winston, with better protection, has been great on third down and much more willing to take the checkdowns. But the Bucs are going to find ways to get WR Mike Evans open. Evans leads the NFL with 133 targets.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Bucs S Keith Tandy. Rivers has 23 touchdowns this season and still likes to throw it deep. The Bucs will be without S Chris Conte (out, chest). That means Tandy most likely will get the start.
--Bucs LT Donovan Smith vs. Chargers DE Joey Bosa. Smith has struggled this season and the Bucs are using tight ends, backs and receivers to chip pass rushers. Bosa has come on since his holdout and has 4.5 sacks.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT:
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
--Out: S Chris Conte (chest), C Evan Smith (knee)
--Questionable: DT Gerald McCoy (foot), TE Brandon Myers (hip), RB Jacquizz Rodgers (foot), S Ryan Smith (shoulder)
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
--Out: LB Jeremiah Attaochu (foot), LB Jatavis Brown (knee), CB Brandon Flowers (concussion)
--Questionable: TE Asante Cleveland (concussion, knee), DT Tenny Palepoi (shoulder), WR Tyrell Williams (shoulder)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Chargers SS Jahleel Addae. The hard-hitting Addae gave the defense an edge with its physical play last week when he returned after an eight-game absence because of an injury. Addae, in the back end, is most in tune with John Pagano's defense because of his experience. His presence allows others in the secondary to play more at ease. The result last week was four turnovers, two coming off interceptions.
FAST FACTS:
In his last six games, Bucs QB Jameis Winston has 1,573 passing yards, 13 TDs and three interceptions.
Tampa WR Mike Evans is tied for the NFL lead with 10 TD catches, with five in the last five road games.
Bucs DT Gerald McCoy had 1.5 sacks in Week 12. Since 2012, he leads NFL DTs with 37.5 sacks.
Bucs DE Noah Spence leads NFC rookies with 5.5 sacks.
Chargers QB Philip Rivers has 11 consecutive seasons with 3,000 passing yards, tied for the fourth-longest streak in NFL history.
Chargers RB Melvin Gordon has 758 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns in his last five games. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 908 yards rushing.
PREDICTION:
This game features Bucs rising star QB Jameis Winston against veteran Chargers gunslinger Philip Rivers. Both are showing great leadership while digging their teams out of bad season starts. Both teams want to run, but can you say "Shootout"?
OUR PICK: Chargers, 35-28.
