Tampa Bay's hella young Head Coach JonGruden (late of our Oakland Raiders) prefers to run a complex offense with veteran players he can count on, while his Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin runs their voracious Cover 2 zone defensive scheme. This year he's had to rely on the bleach-haired third-year Chris Simms, son of Phil, at QB. Gruden simplified his offensive game and TB succeeded. His 2005 first round draft pick RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams was awarded Offensive Rookie Of The Year. The Bucs are amongst the simplest teams in the league right now --they'll beat you on execution, not so much on strateejury.

Washington's Hall Of Fame Head Coach Joe Gibbs loves ball-control. it. In his first tenure with Washington, he was known for bruising line-play from his "Hogs" opening up holes for big grinder-style running backs. When it came to passing, Gibbs would look to wily possession receivers like Art Monk, a master of the curl route. Now, having returned to the WAS sideline at the behest of meddling owner Dan Snyder, Gibbs has been forced to go light due to inherited personnel, and a fragmented front office (it's Snyder's fault).

Washington currently has a light, speedy back in Clinton Portis, and their best receiving weapon this year is travel-sized WR burner Santana Moss. Moss is a long-ball threat, but not a guy who you'd want to go over the middle versus a linebacker.

These teams met up in the regular season, trading blows back-and-forth with Tampa coming out on top by one point 36-35 after Gruden called for a dramatic 2-point conversion with under a minute to go.

Applicable Metaphor: The television show Iron Chef. Neither of these Head Coaches prefers what ingredients they have to work with, yet both were able to adapt through ups-and-downs to get into the playoffs. Who will be the victor? Whose offensive scheme reigns
supreme?

By SFist Christopher Rogers, contributing

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