It wasn't the first time the Raiders behaved this way. They threw 65 passes in a 30-17 rout of the Steelers early in the season. Why mix it up when throwing the ball on every snap works just fine?

This writer believes it won't work in the Super Bowl. While the Bucs have given up the short completions the Raiders thrive on, they also have feasted on teams that have tried to make a living through the air.

On the flip side, in Tampa Bay's four losses, team's have been able to run right at their speedy defense. Oakland prefers to run outside - which almost never works against the Bucs - but its big line is more than capable of opening holes in the middle. Establishing that ability will be the best way for the Raiders to set up their top-rated passing attack.

Fans' comments Certainly, it would be very difficult to defeat the Buc defense by passing exclusively. They have too much speed at every position. I think a 60/40 pass/run ratio would be effective, as opposed to the usual 75/25 ratio. Do the Raiders throw the ball a lot? Yes. When you're as successful as they are, why stop? But, the ground attack is VERY underrated. Gannon and Co. generally slice and dice most defenses, so it usually isn't necessary to run the ball, but they've shown that they can be effective on the ground when needed. And -- when they are effective on the ground (Garner averages almost 5 yards a carry) -- it makes their passing game even more effective. -- Robert Holmes, Hercules, Calif. Marty I think you are right on the money. Since I live in the Bay Area, I get to see the Raiders. They do have a huge front line, but Garner is small and Wheatley is slow. They will pass a lot but watch out for the delay runs since Tampa's outside rush is so fast. Look for Gannon to run a lot also. Tampa must cut off the slant. Tampa should win the game, but as a 49er fan I hope Rice has a good game. -- Marcel Crossland, Pittsburg, Calif. No way any offense in the league can play one sided and win against the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL. The Raiders will have to mix it up and be able to run at the Bucs if they have a prayer of winning. -- Mike Wiggins, Jupiter There's no way Oakland can win through the air. Tampa’s secondary is the best in the league and if Rich Gannon is going to throw the entire game then he's going to get picked off left and right. Personally, I think this is going to be a good game but it's going to come down to defense and turnovers, both of which are favoring Tampa. I'll take a tough as nails defense over a flashy offense any day. Tampa always does well against the great QBs (Favre, Vick, McNabb, Culpepper, Warner) and they are a different team than they were eight weeks ago. Their offense has progressed and picked up on Gruden’s style and their defense has only gotten better. My money will be with Tampa. -- Rod Wienke, Chicago I believe as long as the Raiders offensive line can hold the Bucs defensive four for at least four seconds, the Raiders will run up and down the field on Tampa. -- Frank Bystrzak, Buffalo, N.Y. The Raiders offense is a perfect fit for a Bucs victory. Dink passing will kill the Raiders. If Charlie Garner is successful, the Raiders will prevail. -- Mike Kobres, Fort Myers That's what I've been telling anyone who'll lend me an ear ALL ALONG! You're right on the money, Marty. The Raiders need to make more use of Tyrone Wheatley. If they don't run starting RB Charlie Garner inside for the bulk of the game, the Raiders won't be able to move the football too far -- No. 1 passing offense or not. If they don't run inside like the Saints, Eagles (in the regular season), and Lions did, they're gonna be shut down. If the Raiders thought the Broncos had a fast D, the Silver & Black ain't seen nothin' yet. -- Marcus Jackson, Tampa I feel that if the Raiders cannot run to offset the pass against the Bucs D, then they have almost no chance of winning. Once the Bucs D makes you one-dimensional it has you right where they want you. I think the Bucs will win by 10-14 points. -- Patrick Lambertson, St. Petersburg Give Gannon, Rice, Brown and Jolley their due respect, but do not underestimate the receiving corps of Brooks, Barber and Kelly. Remember earlier this season when Brooks was the Bucs' leading scorer? What is that stat about passes defensed by the Bucs' defense? ... Offense wins games; defense wins championships. The Bucs now have both. -- Dean Owens, Cordova, Tenn. The Raiders don't necessarily have to run the football effectively, however they must at the very least invoke the threat of a potential running game. Either by play-action fakes or fake end-arounds they must do something to keep the Bucs' No. 1-ranked defense honest. Otherwise the Tampa Bay defenders will jump each and every route, which could result in 4-5 interceptions by the Buc secondary, which by the way should have had 1-2 more Pro Bowl players. -- Greg Ward, Clearwater No. The Raiders will not be able to win this game with passing only. The Bucs are like gators in a pond. We'll let them swim, but at some point, CHOMP - turnover. Look at the stats; we are arguably the stingiest defense in history. -- Clayton Luzier, Brandon Pass-happy, speedy wide receivers, multiple-threat running back? Where have I seen this before? Oh yeah, the St Louis Rams.I think we do fairly well against them. Rich Gannon is much more mobile than Kurt Warner but the Bucs have also had much success against Vick, McNabb and Garcia, so I don't see Gannon as a terrible running threat on Sunday. Having said all that, I think Garner will be the key if the Raiders are to win. -- Ted L. Meyer, Sarasota The Raiders' pass attack will be the one variable that no one can really make any guesses about. In the end, it will depend fully upon the ability of the Bucs' secondary to close the passing zones to stop the short- and medium-range passes. As for the long-range passes, I'm fully confident that the Bucs can shut those down. Turnovers will make all the difference in this ball game. The Bucs' defensive line NEEDS to put maximum pressure on Rich Gannon to force the mistakes the Bucs will need to win this one. As the old saying goes, "Defenses win championships." I believe that the Bucs defense will hold, giving the Bucs offense plenty of opportunities to score. -- Shane P. Carey, Brandon Yes. Oakland has two future Hall of Fame wide receivers and have proven that they have a great passing game. However, Oakland's receivers have not faced the speed and pursuit of Tampa's secondary and linebackers. After a few hits from Barber, Lynch, Brooks, Jackson, and Kelly, Rice, Brown, and Porter will think twice about going across the middle. -- Shervin Rassa, Tampa I think that like we have done over and over this year, Oakland has not played a defense like this. Get pressupre up the middle with blitz packages and you will disrupt the timing. They'll make some plays but no big ones. -- Todd Dillon, Charlotte, N.C. Through the air will be the only way. And when they do, our wonderful Ronde Barber will be right there to intercept; again and again and again. Have you seen our Warren Sapp? He has the sweet face of a boy but the body and force of a wrecking machine. The more the press taunts them, the more the Raiders will have to hope beyond hope they can get around, through or by them at all. -- Linda J. Dixon, Tampa