Eagles at Buccaneers -- Week 14

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. (grass, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: Bucs by 7.5

Forecast: Partly cloudy, slight chance of rain; projected kickoff temperature: mid-70s.

Records: Buccaneers (Overall: 6-6; NFC South: 2-2); Eagles (Overall: 3-9; NFC East: 1-3)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 11, 2009: Philadelphia 33, Tampa Bay 14; Oct. 22, 2006: Bucs 23, Eagles 21. Series record: Eagles lead 8-7.

What matters: If Tampa Bay must win this game if it hopes to make the playoffs. The Eagles have been largely listless this year, and many are operating under the assumption longtime Philadelphia coach Andy Reid will be fired at the end of the season. It doesn't seem like the Eagles have much to play for, but they could help spoil a possible playoff run in Bucs coach Greg Schiano's first season. Tampa Bay's back-to-back losses pale in comparison to Philadelphia's eight-game losing streak.

Who matters: QB Josh Freeman. OK, it's not exactly stepping out on a limb to say the starting quarterback matters, but as Freeman goes, the Bucs go this season. He has only had one game in his last three where he completed at least 55 percent of his passes. Not coincidentally, those three games have been two losses and a win over Carolina (in which the Bucs needed a late comeback in regulation to send the game to OT). The Bucs aren't going to win many games if Freeman is 18 of 39 -- as he was last week in a loss at Denver, including a critical interception that was returned for a touchdown.

Key matchup: The Bucs' run defense vs. Philadelphia RB Bryce Brown. The rookie has been a sensation since taking over the starting job the last two games with LeSean McCoy battling a concussion. Brown ran for 178 yards and two scores against the Panthers and followed that with 169 yards and two TDs against the Cowboys last week. But Tampa Bay has the NFL's No. 1 rush defense (82.3 yards per game allowed) and plan to limit Brown, and make rookie QB Nick Foles beat them through the air.

Injuries of note: The Bucs figure to get some help at a couple of positions where their roster has been depleted by injury. DT Roy Miller was back at practice Friday after suffering a head injury against the Broncos. One of the team's key run-stoppers, Miller figures to be vital in the battle to slow Brown. Also, CB Anthony Gaitor was activated from the injured reserve/designated to return list and could play for the first time this season. The Bucs will be without CB LeQuan Lewis due to a knee injury.

Inside stuff: Tampa Bay will honor its 2002 Super Bowl championship team at halftime Sunday. A decade later, S Ronde Barber is still very much a part of the Bucs' roster. He was a cornerback in those days -- he returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown in the NFC Championship game against the Eagles that year -- but has had a strong season at his new spot as well. He has four interceptions, one shy of tying the second-best year of his career. Not bad for a 37-year-old.

Stats you should know: Bucs RB Doug Martin figures to be challenged by the Eagles' run defense, the only unit in the NFL that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. The rookie's production has already been trending downward of late, as he has been held to 70 yards or fewer in three of Tampa Bay's last four games.

Record watch: Martin is 73 yards from breaking Cadillac Williams' record for most rushing yards by a Bucs rookie.

Looking ahead: With the end of the regular season looming, every win is vital to the Bucs' postseason hopes. Next week Tampa Bay travels to New Orleans for an NFC South matchup. The Bucs let a 21-7 lead slip in their first meeting with the Saints.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Eagles 24

For more from Tampa Bay Bucs blogger Patrick Southern, follow @CBSBucs on Twitter.