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Baxter Bits: Redskins at Buccaneers
By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com
The Redskins make their first-ever appearance at Raymond James Stadium and their first trip to Tampa since 1996 as these teams collide for the seventh time this decade and the first time ever in the postseason.
|  | | | Warren Sapp leads the Bucs' dominant defense against the Redskins high-powered offense. |
Washington owns a one-game lead in the standings (5-4) and posted a 20-16 Saturday afternoon triumph at home last season (Week 16) -- snapping a four-game losing streak to Tampa Bay dating back to 1994--in the last regular-season battle between the clubs (Buccaneers managed a 16-13 victory this summer at Washington).
The Redskins own a 3-3 road mark in this rivalry but have dropped 3 straight at Tampa dating back to '94, their last road affair in this series a 24-10 loss in 1996.
The Redskins are making their second postseason appearance in Tampa, dropping Super Bowl XVIII to the then-L.A. Raiders (38-9) in that city 16 seasons ago.
Numbers: Including playoffs, in his last 19 starts (2 with Minnesota in 1998, 17 with Washington in 1999), Redskins QB Brad Johnson has thrown for 4,576 yards, 30 touchdowns and just 18 interceptions, with his team scoring a combined 539 points (31, 38, 35, 50, 27, 38, 24, 20, 48, 17, 28, 23, 20, 17, 28, 21, 26, 21 and 27 points) in those contests. IF HE PLAYS: Including playoffs, Redskins RB Stephen Davis has rushed for 1,524 yards and 19 touchdowns in 15 games in 1999, running for 100-plus yards in seven of those contests. In his three previous seasons (1996-98), Davis rushed for 815 yards and five touchdowns in 42 games and had failed to gain 100 or more yards rushing in any of those contests.
Including playoffs, the Redskins have allowed just 14 sacks in 11 wins, 18 sacks in six losses in '99. Since 1993 (including playoffs), the Redskins have given up 130 or more yards rushing in 55-of-113 games, 200 or more yards on the ground in 13 of those contests, while limiting the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in just 27 of those 113 games. Including playoffs, after scoring just 93 points in their first seven games (0-7), the Redskins have scored 696 points in their last 26 contests (17-9) dating back to '98. Including playoffs, the Redskins have committed 20 turnovers in their last 10 games (6-4) after committing just seven turnovers in their first seven contests (5-2) in '99. Including playoffs, the Redskins have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in 19 of their last 33 contests dating back to '98. Including playoffs, they have allowed 185 points in 11 wins, 205 points in six losses in '99. Including playoffs, the Redskins have forced two or more turnovers in five straight games. They have won three straight games, including playoffs.
The Buccaneers have limited the opposition to 300 or fewer yards in 40 of their last 58 regular-season contests dating back to '96. They have forced 47 turnovers in 19 wins, 10 turnovers in 13 losses dating back to '98. The Buccaneers have been outscored a combined 89-34 in the first quarter in 16 games in '99. The Buccaneers have totaled 25 takeaways in their last nine games (8-1), this after forcing just six turnovers in their first seven contests (3-4) in '99.
The Coaches: Redskins head coach Norv Turner is 1-0 in postseason play, while Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy is 1-1 in postseason play.
Postseason History: Redskins are making their 20th overall playoff appearance (14th since merger) and are 22-14 in postseason play (19-10 since merger), while Buccaneers are making their 5th overall playoff appearance (5th since merger) and are 2-4 in postseason play (2-4 since merger).
Things To Look For: The Redskins' offensive front had its way with the Lions' defense last week as RB Stephen Davis ran through gaping holes. But Norv Turner's Pro Bowl runner is doubtful for this tougher matchup with a relentless Bucs' defensive unit that keyed Tampa's second-half surge and run at the NFC Central title. Still, it's Buccaneers' rookie QB Shaun King that have to come up with some big plays.
Etc.: The Redskins are coming off their first postseason victory since 1992, a 24-7 win at Minnesota in the '92 NFC Wild Card Playoffs. The Buccaneers are hosting the NFC Divisional Playoffs for the first time since 1979, when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-17. The Buccaneers have won seven straight home games.
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