• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

QB McNabb looks to end struggles against Bucs

Oct 20, 2006 - 1:25 PM Philadelphia (4-2) at Tampa Bay (1-4) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Donovan McNabb does not have fond memories of his last two outings against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McNabb tries to end his struggles against the Buccaneers when he leads the Philadelphia Eagles into Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

After guiding the Eagles to playoff wins over the Bucs in 2000 and 2001, McNabb was unable to complete the trifecta in the 2002 NFC championship game.

Instead, the Bucs advanced to their first Super Bowl with a 27-10 victory over McNabb and the Eagles in the final game at Veterans Stadium. McNabb lost a fumble and threw an interception that cornerback Ronde Barber returned 92 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

McNabb again was left frustrated by the Bucs in a 17-0 loss in the 2003 season opener. He completed just 19-of-36 passes for 148 yards and an interception while also getting sacked three times.

After missing the final seven games of last season with sports hernia, McNabb is off to a rousing start in 2006, leading the league with 1,849 passing yards and 13 TDs. His 104.8 rating also is tops in the league.

With McNabb leading the way, the Eagles have the NFL's top-ranked offense and own a one-half game lead over Dallas and the New York Giants in the NFC East.

McNabb was unable to rally the Eagles from a 14-point halftime deficit in last week's 27-24 loss at New Orleans. He went 19-of-32 for 247 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.

The Buccaneers won the NFC South last season but had to wait until last week for their first win this season with a 14-13 triumph over Cincinnati.

Making his second career start, sixth-round pick Bruce Gradkowski threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals.

Carnell "Cadillac" Williams also enjoyed his second straight productive game with 94 yards rushing on 19 attempts. He has 205 yards in his last two games after gaining 107 in his first three games.