First Look

On the field, it’s the classic matchup, the NFL’s top offense (Oakland) against the league’s top defense (Tampa Bay). Off the playing field, it’s also a classic matchup. Raider owner Al Davis has dreamed of returning to the Super Bowl for 19 years, but what he finds upon getting there are twin nightmares. Not only does he face his former coach, Jon Gruden, who balked under Davis’ iron rule and left after last season, but also his former running back, Marcus Allen, whose feud with Davis caused deep rifts within the team a decade ago. Allen is expected to be among those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in San Diego, forcing Davis to once again share the spotlight with him.

Oakland: Because of their aging veterans, many predicted the Raiders lost their best shot at the Super Bowl in the snow of Foxboro in last season’s playoffs. The Raiders stifled such talk by winning their first four games, then lost their next four. Their critics nodded knowingly. Oakland’s characteristic late-season fade had started early. Not quite. The Raiders won seven of their last eight to secure postseason home-field advantage and a first-round bye, then blew out the New York Jets in the second round, 30-10.

*--* ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL

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Tampa Bay: Could Gruden effectively replace popular coach Tony Dungy? Could a premier defensive team finally add the offense that would put it over the hump? Those questions loomed larger than ever when the Buccaneers lost their season opener to the New Orleans Saints. But they were quickly answered when Tampa Bay went on to win its next five and nine of 10. With a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the second round, the Buccaneers rolled past the San Francisco 49ers, 31-6.

*--* DEFINING MOMENT

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Oakland: Monday night football. A season is slipping away for the Raiders, losers of four in a row. They are in Denver, where they haven’t won since 1994. Overall they have lost seven in a row to the Broncos. No problem. Led by a trio of their elders -- 36-year-old quarterback Rich Gannon, 40-year-old receiver Jerry Rice and 37-year-old safety Ron Woodson -- the Raiders cruise to a 34-10 victory

Tampa Bay: After rolling through the regular season, the Buccaneers’ biggest moment came Jan. 12. They were back in familiar territory, the postseason, and facing familiar agony. They had been bumped out of the playoffs in each of the last three seasons short of the Super Bowl. And, in the 49ers, they were facing a team on an emotional high after rallying from a 24-point deficit the week before to beat the New York Giants in the second greatest comeback in NFL history. But Tampa Bay won easily.

*--* STRENGTHS

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Oakland: It’s not difficult to understand why offense is Oakland’s strength. At the controls is Gannon, the league’s most valuable player, and he can take aim at Rice and Tim Brown, two of the best receivers in league history. Gone are the days of the Raider vertical game. Gannon is a master at finding an open target, long or short, and hitting it overhand or sidearm.

Tampa Bay: It’s not difficult to understand why defense is Tampa Bay’s strength. Defensive lineman Warren Sapp used to get the most attention for his play and his mouth. He is still the master at trash-talking, but the defensive spotlight has shifted to linebacker Derrick Brooks (Associated Press defensive MVP), defensive lineman Simeon Rice (15 1/2 sacks) and cornerback Ronde Barber, the defensive star of Sunday’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

*--* WEAKNESSES

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Oakland: A secondary that was 23rd against the pass is further weakened by a leg injury to cornerback Charles Woodson.

Tampa Bay: Gruden’s expertise on offense enabled him to upgrade and invigorate the limited unit he inherited, but this is still a team with a weak offensive line, and was 24th overall in the league in offense, 27th in rushing.

*--* IMPACT PLAYERS

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Oakland: In addition to offensive stars such as Gannon, Rice and Brown, there is linebacker Bill Romanowski, a fiery player who has four Super Bowl rings -- two with San Francisco and two with Denver -- and could use his experience and passion to be a motivating force

Tampa Bay: While the defense will get the media attention this week, the Johnsons, quarterback Brad and receiver Keyshawn, will need to have good games if the Buccaneers are to win.

*--* MISCELLANY

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Oakland: The last time the Raiders played in the Super Bowl, it was in Tampa, Fla.

Tampa Bay: Few teams have had such a dismal past. The Buccaneers lost the first 26 games they played and once went 14 seasons without a winning record, losing 10 games or more in 13 of those 14 seasons.

*--* SUPER BOWL HISTORY

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Oakland: The Raiders have been there four times, losing to the Green Bay Packers, 33-14, in Super Bowl II (1968) in Miami; defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 32-14, in Super Bowl XI (1977) at the Rose Bowl; defeating Philadelphia, 27-10, in Super Bowl XV (1981) in New Orleans and defeating the Washington Redskins, 38-9, in Super Bowl XVIII (1984) as the Los Angeles Raiders.

Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers have never been to the Super Bowl, getting as far as the NFC championship game twice, losing to the Los Angeles Rams, 9-0, in 1980, and St. Louis Rams, 11-6, in 1999.

-- Steve Springer