NEW YORK, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be out to erase a couple of bad memories and the Oakland Raiders try to erase a bad game in Week Seven of the NFL.
Eliminated in the playoffs in each of the last two seasons by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Buccaneers will look to exact a measure of revenge Sunday when the NFC powers meet at Veterans Stadium.
"We've had some bad memories up there," Bucs safety John Lynch said. "They've sent us home for the year - twice. But I also understand that this is the 2002 Bucs and it's the 2002 Eagles."
The Raiders were dominant in winning their first four games, averaging more than 40 points. But after a loss in St. Louis, the Raiders (4-1) trail the surprising San Diego Chargers (5-1) by one-half game in the AFC West.
Oakland could overtake San Diego when the teams meet at Network Associates Coliseum. The Raiders have won four straight and eight of the last nine meetings between the teams.
Whereas the Raiders have had answers for the Chargers, the Bucs have had their Super Bowl hopes dashed by the Eagles in each of the last two seasons with embarrassing losses in the wild card round of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay failed to register a touchdown in both setbacks, suffering a 21-3 loss in 2000 while enduring a 31-9 loss last January. The loss last January led to the firing of coach Tony Dungy, who was replaced by Jon Gruden.
"It's left a bad taste in our mouths, made for a long offseason two years in a row, and we want to get rid of that taste," Bucs fullback Mike Alstott said.
The Bucs should enter Sunday's game with confidence, reeling off five straight wins since a season-opening loss to New Orleans.
Tampa Bay, which is tied for first place with New Orleans in the NFC South, has not allowed an offensive touchdown in three games and is giving up a league-low 9.3 points per contest.
The Eagles, who are coming off their bye week, have a one-half game lead over the New York Giants and Dallas in the East. They also lead the NFC in total offense, averaging 33 points per game.
"I never focus on how many points we can score, I focus on being consistent and having a balanced attack," said Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has passed for four touchdowns and run for a pair in the playoff wins over the Bucs.
"This guy is a great player," said Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who has managed just nine tackles and no sacks in the playoff contests against the Eagles. "He's very dangerous when he's out of the pocket."
A pair of old NFC West rivals meet at the Louisiana Superdome as the Saints (5-1) host the San Francisco 49ers (4-1). New Orleans will be trying to get evan after San Francisco rolled to a 38-0 rout in the 2001 season finale at the Superdome.
In addition to the matchup between the Raiders and Chargers, the AFC West also has another intriguing matchup as the Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) host the Denver Broncos (4-2).
Led by Priest Holmes, the Chiefs feature the top rushing offense in the NFL. Holmes will get a stern challenge from the Broncos, who have the NFL's top rush defense, allowing just 62 yards per game.
Holmes may need to have a big game with quarterback Trent Green limited in practice this week by an ankle injury. Green is expected to play.
The Miami Dolphins (5-1) they host the Buffalo Bills (3-3) in an AFC East matchup as Ray Lucas takes over the Dolphins' offense for Jay Fiedler, who is expected to miss at least the next month with a broken thumb.
Fresh off a convincing victory over the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, the Green Bay Packers (5-1) aim for their fifth straight win when they host the Washington Redskins (2-3).
Emmitt Smith looks to move closer to passing Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher when the Dallas Cowboys (3-3) visit the Arizona Cardinals (3-2). Smith has averaged 60.8 yards rushing in six games and needs just 175 to surpass Payton's total of 16,276.
The Chicago Bears (2-3) turn to 15-year veteran Chris Chandler at quarterback as they visit the Detroit Lions (1-4). Chandler is starting in place of Jim Miller, who is out with right elbow and shoulder tendinitis.
After finally winning their first game, the Rams (1-5) try to make it consecutive wins when they host the Seattle Seahawks (1-4) in an NFC West matchup.
Michael Vick will be back at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons (2-3), who host the Carolina Panthers (3-3) in an NFC South contest. Vick missed last week's 17-10 victory over the Giants with a sprained shoulder.
Carolina also will have a new quarterback as Chris Weinke returns in place of Rodney Peete, who underwent knee surgery earlier this week. The 2000 Heisman Trophy winner, Weinke started 15 games as a rookie last season but was very erratic.
The Baltimore Ravens (2-3) are expected to be without Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis for the second straight week when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) in a matchup of old AFC Central Division rivals. Lewis is doubtful with a shoulder injury.
There could be plenty of points in an interconference matchup as the New York Jets (1-4) host the Minnesota Vikings (1-4). Both teams allow more than 32 points per game.
It's a matchup of former top overall picks in Cleveland when Tim Couch and the Browns (2-4) host David Carr and the expansion Houston Texans (1-4).
It is the first meeting between the quarterbacks, who both were building blocks for their expansion franchises. Carr was taken first in April's draft and Couch was selected with the initial pick in 1999.
Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) host the Indianapolis Colts (4-1). Pittsburgh is 9-0 at home on Monday nights under coach Bill Cowher.
The Cincinnati Bengals (0-6), Tennessee Titans (2-4), Patriots (3-3) and Giants (3-3) have byes this week.
