The opening Monday night game is exactly what you would draw up: a rematch of last year's NFC title game between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. Two of the best teams in all of football and the opening of a new stadium in the same town where the Buccaneers won the right to go to the Super Bowl last year. Tampa sent the Eagles into a long offseason, and one thing all playoff teams except one have in common is that all end their season with a loss and that loss sticks with you until the next season starts.

	Donovan McNabb needs both his arm and legs if Philly wants revenge against Tampa Bay.

Going into that championship game the Eagles were the favorite to win at home in the cold weather and the Buccaneers came in and eliminated them. Philly was forced to sit at home and watch the Buccaneers win the prize the Eagles felt was theirs. Then the schedule came out in March and they knew that they would get a chance for a little revenge.

I say a little because even if they win this game, it is not going to replace the loss they suffered in the biggest game of 2002. As a result of the schedule these teams went through their training camps and preseason with the rematch in mind.

What I have found is that the things one team does to another don't usually happen the next time around. For example, the Eagles weren't able to put enough pressure on Brad Johnson. Jim Johnson, the Eagles defensive coordinator, knows he has to find a way to put more pressure on Johnson. That usually means some blitzing.

The thing that has to worry the coaches is that Johnson has become so calm and confident that it is hard to shake him. I think with the crowd, the stadium and the hoopla, that is what Philadelphia is going to try to do and I am not sure the Eagles will be able to. But even if they do rattle Johnson, the Eagles have to stop the run.

I can see both teams using two-tight end formations and running the ball. Against Tampa's defense you have to be able to do that. The Bucs have a very good pass rush and if the Eagles get in a passing situation, the front four will be able to put pressure on Donovan McNabb, and Tampa Bay plays the cover 2 zone better than any one has ever played it. To get them out of that you have to be able to run on throwing downs and throw on running downs and not leave yourself a long third down play. That should provide them with the mixture they need to be successful on offense.

McNabb has the ability to throw on the run, and that will put pressure on the Tampa defense. If they want to play the cover 2 and run the middle linebacker deep on passing downs, the Bucs will be open to the long run by McNabb. On defense, the one person that isn't always accounted for is the quarterback but you can't afford to do that against Philadelphia because McNabb will hurt you with his legs.

The Eagles offense has to go into this game making sure it doesn't allow the Tampa defense to beat it. They have to be sure not to allow the Bucs defense any points.

The Buccaneers had a few bumps in the preseason. Shelton Quarles broke his arm during preparation for this game, forcing Nate Webster into the lineup at middle linebacker. Don't get me wrong, Nate Webster is a good player, but the Buccaneers will still have to do some adjusting.

The Tampa offensive line has been juggled a bit, too, and that will take some adjusting as well. During the preseason this team was very confident coming off the Super Bowl and I don't think that injuries or shuffling will effect them. Jon Gruden won't let them be anything but a confident team.

On offense the Bucs have a good mixture. When you think of Jon Gruden you think of a passing coach, but with this team's defense he wants to be able to run the ball and let that defense win the game. Philadelphia is just the opposite. The Eagles need their offense on the field to control the clock and win the game for them.

Pass protection will be a problem this week for the Eagles because Tampa has such a strong defensive line. That starts with Warren Sapp, and the Eagles will have to double-team him sometimes. That leaves them in a one-on-one situation with Anthony "Booger" McFarland, as well as Simeon Rice and his speed coming from the end. You don't want to get into those situations very often because if the Eagles are forced to pass that plays into the hands of the Tampa defense.

This is the heavyweight championship kind of fight. This is what you want to see. These are the exciting games you look forward to. You don't have to manufacture anything. Opening weekend, the new stadium, the championship game rematch. These are two of the best teams in the NFL duking it out to see who can get their season started the way that every team wants to.