The Bucs' opponents

By Joanne Korth
Published September 7, 2007

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Breaking down the Bucs' 2007 opponents:

SEAHAWKS

The Bucs can win if ... Cadillac Williams and the running game get established early.

The Bucs will lose if ... The "Twelfth Man" at Qwest Field forces the offense to use sign language.

SAINTS

The Bucs can win if ... The defense forces at least two turnovers that lead to scores. Touchdowns, not field goals.

The Bucs will lose if ... QB Drew Brees is allowed to pick apart the secondary.

RAMS

The Bucs can win if ... The defense controls running back Steven Jackson.

The Bucs will lose if ... Receiver Ricky Proehl comes out of retirement, again.

PANTHERS 

The Bucs can win if ... The defense can make QB Jake Delhomme pay for his risky throws.

The Bucs will lose if ... Any of their quarterbacks finish the day in the emergency room.

COLTS 

The Bucs can win if ... Colts coach Tony Dungy accidentally comes to the stadium wearing pewter and red.

The Bucs will lose if ... Defensive end Gaines Adams cannot take advantage of rookie left tackle Tony Ugoh.

TITANS 

The Bucs can win if ... They defend QB Vince Young the way they did Michael Vick.

The Bucs will lose if ... Jeff Garcia is their leading rusher.

LIONS 

The Bucs can win if ... The secondary plays on stilts to cover the 6-foot-5 receiver Calvin Johnson.

The Bucs will lose if ... End Dewayne White decides to show general manager Bruce Allen it was a mistake to let him go in free agency.

JAGUARS

The Bucs can win if ... The Jags' stable of running backs doesn't turn the game into a tag-team match.

The Bucs will lose if ... The offense doesn't find a way to match the Jags' physical front seven.

CARDINALS

The Bucs can win if ... The defense makes running back Edgerrin James look past his prime.

The Bucs will lose if ... Cardinals clutch kicker Neil Rackers lines up for a winning field goal.

FALCONS 

The Bucs can win if ... Joey Galloway leaves the mouthy cornerback DeAngelo Hall gasping for air.

The Bucs will lose if ... Quarterback Joey Harrington is allowed to stand in the pocket.

REDSKINS

The Bucs can win if ... The linebackers keep running back Clinton Portis from turning the corner.

The Bucs will lose if ... The Redskins are still steamed about Mike Alstott's two-point conversion in 2005.

TEXANS

The Bucs can win if ... They make quarterback Matt Schaub feel sympathy for David Carr.

The Bucs will lose if ... Williams rushes for fewer than 100 yards.

49ERS

The Bucs can win if ... The NFL makes the 49ers meet them halfway, say, in the Texas panhandle.

The Bucs will lose if ... The 49ers still have a chance to make the playoffs.