The Eagles and Buccaneers aren't in the same division, but they will meet today for the fifth time in four years.

        Philadelphia has a 3-1 edge in those games, including 2-0 in the playoffs. The Eagles knocked Tampa Bay from the playoffs in each of the last two years.

        Coach Jon Gruden is what's new in Tampa Bay, and he will face Philadelphia coach Andy Reid. They were assistants on Mike Holmgren's staff in Green Bay.

        Another reunion will take place, too, when former high school teammates Donovan McNabb and Simeon Rice face each other.

        McNabb is the Philadelphia quarterback with 11 touchdown passes and a 7.3-yard rushing average. Rice is a Tampa Bay defensive end, and they played together at Mt. Carmel High on Chicago's South Side.

        “Defensively, we play Donovan the same way we play Michael Vick,” Rice said. “We have to be much smarter with our coverage. You have to speed up to neutralize his speed.”

        BUCS (5-1) at EAGLES (3-2): Tampa Bay has faced problems winning at the Vet. Today will be no different. The Bucs will come in with the league's top-ranked defense, but they'll be facing the fourth-best offense.

        Tampa Bay's schedule has been weak, with three victories coming against AFC North teams (Baltimore, Cleveland and the Bengals). EAGLES 17-13.

        PANTHERS (3-3) at FALCONS (2-3): Chris Weinke will make his first start in place of injured Carolina quarterback Rodney Peete. Michael Vick will be back under center for Atlanta. That's the difference right there, although Vick will have to contend with the Panthers' 25-sack pass rush. FALCONS 20-16.

        BEARS (2-3) at LIONS (1-4): Chicago will start Chris Chandler at quarterback, but the big edge for the Bears should be running back Anthony Thomas against Detroit's 20th-ranked rush defense. BEARS 31-21.

        JAGUARS (3-2) at RAVENS (2-3): Baltimore has won the last four in this series against its former AFC Central rival. Jacksonville won the first eight. The good news for the Jags is quarterback Mark Brunell (concussion) is expected to play and Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (shoulder) won't. JAGUARS 23-21.

        BRONCOS (4-2) at CHIEFS (3-3): Kansas City can score but can't stop anyone else from scoring. The Chiefs have scored 205 points in six games, compared to 51 for the Bengals in same number. Denver is a balanced team, productive on both sides of the ball. Denver quarterback Brian Griese should throw for 300-plus yards for a fourth consecutive game. BRONCOS 33-27.

        BILLS (3-3) at DOLPHINS (5-1): Ray Lucas makes his first start for Miami in place of injured quarterback Jay Fiedler. Buffalo's defense can gets sacks (18) but has yet to intercept a pass. The Dolphins' big advantage is their running game with Ricky Williams, which should be able to gain yards, eat clock and keep Drew Bledsoe off the field. DOLPHINS 24-21.

        49ERS (4-1) at SAINTS (5-1): New Orleans is a big-play offense and will test a San Francisco defense playing without free safety Zach Bronson. The Saints have 13 touchdowns in 19 red-zone trips. Terrell Owens should have more autograph opportunities in the end zone. SAINTS 30-27.

        VIKINGS (1-4) at JETS (1-4): All these good games on the schedule had to find their level somewhere. Here it is. Minnesota has the league's sixth-ranked offense against the Jets' No.31 defense. VIKINGS 28-17.

        SEAHAWKS (1-4) at RAMS (1-5): They're not what they used to be, but the Rams are getting better. They should be able to throw the ball against Seattle (no autographs, please). RAMS 27-13.

        TEXANS (1-4) at BROWNS (2-4): Houston offensive coordinator Chris Palmer goes back to Cleveland, where he was the expansion Browns' coach for their first two seasons. He was 5-27. The Browns can't run and will have to win with their pass offense and big defensive plays. BROWNS 24-16.

        CHARGERS (5-1) at RAIDERS (4-1): Another shootout in the Wild AFC West. Oakland needs to bring its running game back to the forefront after leaning too much on the pass recently. Home field and experience are the Raiders' pluses. RAIDERS 29-22.

        COWBOYS (3-3) at CARDINALS (3-2): A victory would give Arizona its best start since 1988. The Cardinals have held their last four opponents to an average of 14 points, which is about what Dallas is scoring per game. Arizona should have enough offense to pull this one out. CARDINALS 18-15.

        REDSKINS (2-3) at PACKERS (5-1): Brett Favre continues to amaze, and he probably will get the 308 passing yards he needs in this game to pass Joe Montana and move into sixth all-time. Washington's pass defense isn't all that bad, but it's not nearly good enough to shut down Favre.

        And, as if having a future Hall of Famer playing QB isn't enough, the Packers' defense could be coming around. Last week was the first time all season an opponent didn't have a single play of 20 or more yards. PACKERS 31-17.

        COLTS (4-1) at STEELERS (2-3): Indianapolis isn't as good as its record, and Pittsburgh is better than its. After a brutal opening four games, the Steelers are catching a break in their schedule. This is Bill Cowher's time of the year, and he likes Mondays. Pittsburgh is 30-10 in October and 9-0 on Monday night under Cowher. STEELERS 30-20.

        LAST WEEK: 8-6.

        SEASON: 56-32

        E-mail: mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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