Defense gives Bucs edge over Saints

In a desperate search for the top player in the NFL this season, it seems the leader of a flawed pack is New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

On pace to pass for more than 5,000 yards this season, Brees is putting up numbers worthy of a Most Valuable Player. He has passed for 3,574 and 22 touchdowns.

Everything is impressive about Brees' résumé but the Saints' 6-5 record. It's tough to imagine the MVP can come from a team that does not reach the postseason.

Two quarterbacks in New York -- the Jets' Brett Favre and the Giants' Eli Manning -- are in the running.

Arizona's Kurt Warner has a shot despite his three-interception debacle in the Cardinals' loss at Philadelphia on Thursday, and don't count out Dallas' Tony Romo.

The league's top two rushers are Washington's Clinton Portis and Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, but the Redskins and Vikings might miss the playoffs.

Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu is tied for the league lead in interceptions with five, and he's a great run stopper for the No. 1-ranked defense, but voters don't give defensive players serious consideration.

With five games remaining, someone will separate from the pack. Brees has an opportunity to stand out Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Brees leads New Orleans to a win, his candidacy will get a boost. A loss would be a blow to his chances.

I'll bet on the Buccaneers as 31/2-point favorites.

Tampa Bay, tied for the NFC South lead at 8-3, is 5-1 since Jeff Garcia was called out of coach Jon Gruden's doghouse and reinserted at quarterback. The Buccaneers' running game is in good hands with Warrick Dunn and Cadillac Williams sharing carries.

But the difference in these teams is their defenses -- Tampa Bay ranks fourth in the league while New Orleans ranks 22nd and is crippled by injuries.

In last year's meeting at Tampa, the Buccaneers rolled to a 31-14 victory and contained Brees.

This is a division revenge game, and NFC South teams are dominant at home -- 20-2 straight up and 16-5-1 against the spread this season.

Here are four more plays for Week 13 (Home team in CAPS):

• Broncos (+8) over JETS: After key wins against New England and Tennessee, the Jets are due for a mediocre showing. The Broncos, who won at Atlanta and inexplicably got blown out at home by Oakland, are tough to figure. But with Jay Cutler's passing ability, Denver is capable of hanging close.

• Panthers (+3) over PACKERS: Carolina has great offensive potential if quarterback Jake Delhomme can avoid sabotaging the team. Green Bay's defense was shredded for 51 points by the Saints. The Panthers are 21-10-2 in their past 33 games as road underdogs.

• Colts (-5) over BROWNS: After a terrible start, Indianapolis has reeled off four straight wins, and Peyton Manning is operating the offense as expected. Cleveland is in a downward spiral.

• VIKINGS (-3) over Bears: With the NFC North up for grabs, look for Minnesota to come through in a must-win situation. The Vikings lost the first meeting 48-41 despite outgaining the Bears by 112 yards.

Last week: 3-2 against the spread

Season: 32-25-3

Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 702-387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.