The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found themselves in a very bad situation. They've lost RB "Cadillac" Williams to a season ending knee injury and Michael Pittman will be out six to eight weeks with an ankle injury. Now third string RB and fourth year pro Earnest Graham becomes the starter. So far this season Graham has 36 carries for 147yds with 3 TD's.

 To help Graham out when he needs a breather the Buc's signed 13 year veteran Zack Crockett Wednesday morning. Crockett is very familiar with Coach Gruden and his offensive scheme, having played for Gruden in Oakland. Also to make room for Crockett the Buc's placed QB Chris Simms on the IR list.

 Tampa is tied with the Panthers for the lead in the NFC South. This week they must take on a tough task in the Tennesse Titans. The Titans are 13-1 against the NFC south under Coach Fisher and I look for him to continue that streak this weekend. A depleted backfield may be to much for the Buc's to overcome against a good defense like Tennesee's.

 All in all the Buc's may just make it through the season and win a very weak NFC South Division. There isn't one Playoff team from last season left on their schedule other than the Saints whom they already beat at home,  with everyone else in the division taking huge impacts due to injury (or felony charges) in their rosters the Buc's could easily go 10-6 and win out to make a playoff birth. To get them their they will need a real strong push from the new running back tandem of Graham and Crockett. Not to mention some smart coaching by Gruden.

 QB Jeff Garcia can also be a difference maker for this team. He's smart and very mobile and also has a fairly strong arm to get the ball downfield. With a speedy veteran reciever like Joey Galloway that at times has shown that he still has game left in him, these two vet's should be able to get just enough done to make a push towards the playoffs. This is what the rest of Tampa's schedule looks like starting with this sunday's game. I will mark next to each game my win/lose prediction to show how they might finish.

Home vs the Titans- loss

@ Detroit- win

Home vs the Jaguars- loss

Home vs the Cardinals- win

@ Atlanta-win

Home vs Washington- loss

@ New Orleans- win

@ Houston- loss

Home vs Atlanta- win

@ S. Francisco- win

Home vs Carolina-win

Overall finish 10-6

With six of the next eleven games left at home, I think it's very possible for them to save the season and win the division. They have already beaten Carolina and the Saints pretty soundly. It will not be an easy task for them to accomplish but they have the players and coach to do it.

 Defensively is the only question I have for this team. Although they do have six interceptions on the season and 3 fumble recovery's as a team. With all that said I look for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win enough games to make the playoffs but how deep they go is another thing altogether.