Warren Sapp could have a big day against a banged-up Redskins offensive line.

The game will pit one of the league's best offenses, Washington, against the league's best defense in Tampa Bay. Unlike other teams, the Bucs have so much talent on defense -- with Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Hardy Nickerson and Brad Culpepper -- that they can control the line of scrimmage with their front seven.

They move safety John Lynch close to the line once in a while, but their front seven can challenge any front seven in the league. Although Lynch will make a lot of tackles, the Bucs don't need him to create pressure up front. And the Bucs will need to pressure Redskins quarterback Brad Johnson and keep Davis from controlling the game on the ground.

Offensively, Tampa Bay is somewhat feeble and inconsistent. They show flashes of good and bad. The same description can be applied to the Washington defense. The Redskins played solid defense against Detroit, holding the Lions to 258 total yards. During the season, however, the Redskins defense was often horrific, statistically among the worst in the league.

Don't look at the strengths in this game; instead, look at each team's weakness. Can the Redskins overcome their weakness on defense more than the Bucs can overcome theirs on offense?

My feeling is that Washington's defense is playing better than Tampa Bay's offense. One thing that helped Washington's defense last week was that the Lions don't have a strong running game and were held to 45 yards. However, the Bucs do have a strong ground game with Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn.

In addition, Tampa Bay's offense has done enough against teams with high-powered offenses -- like Minnesota -- by controlling time of possession. The Bucs like to keep the other team's offense off the field by pounding with Alstott, getting Dunn involved and throwing short passes. That is how the Bucs like to beat teams.

The team that improves its weakness and can turn it into a strength will win the game.

Here are the keys to Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game for each team:

Washington Redskins
1. Four from Davis: Despite his sprained knee, Davis must be healthy for four quarters. Last week, we saw what he could do in one half -- 15 carries, 119 yards, two touchdowns. If he can run for four quarters, the Redskins can control the game and make plays in the passing game off play-action.

2. Keep 'em off Johnson: The Redskins have a big, underrated offensive line, but they are sore. The line must still afford Johnson, the league's most patient quarterback, time to find his receivers. He is content to throw the check-down passes to backs out of the backfield and short receivers, but the Bucs will try to take away his patience and hurry his throws.

3. Control the defensive line of scrimmage: Washington must play with eight men in the box and get stellar play for four quarters from tackles Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield. If the tackles can either penetrate or disrupt the running game for four quarters, they will force King to beat the Redskins instead of Alstott and Dunn.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1. King must be king: The key to the game is King, the rookie quarterback. While the Bucs will rely heavily on their power running game, King will still need to execute the passing game, especially on first down, when the Redskins will be loading up to stop the run. The rookie will play disciplined and well because he has the advantage of playing at home.

2. Go long: Offensive coordinator Mike Shula must have the courage to have King take 8-10 shots down the field. Not just intermediate routes, but deep routes. The Redskins will play eight defenders near the line of scrimmage to take away the run, so the Bucs receivers will see a lot of man-to-man coverage from cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Darrell Green. Even if King doesn't complete the deep pass, it will serve to stretch the Redskins defense. Then, the Bucs can pound the ball with Alstott.

3. Win seven-on-seven battle: The Bucs must avoid having to commit an eighth player, Lynch, to stopping the Redskins' running game. Can they handle Davis with seven players? If the Bucs allow Davis to pound them and get six yards per carry, then Lynch will creep toward the line of scrimmage, and Johnson, who is great with the play-action fake, will take shots against man coverage.

One advantage for Tampa Bay is that the Redskins offensive line is beat up. But the front-seven battle is a big matchup because Johnson can take advantage of receivers Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell and tight end Stephen Alexander in single coverage.