The NFL markets itself as a league of parity. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals embody the ever-changing nature of the league.
Led by the clutch play of quarterback Josh Freeman, the Buccaneers aim for their third victory in four games on Sunday when they visit the struggling Cardinals.
While the numbers say Freeman is average (1,255 yards and seven TDs, 58.5 completion percentage), he has been extraordinary under pressure.
The Buccaneers (4-2) have already surpassed their win total from all of last season thanks to the rapid progression of Freeman, a second-year starter who has directed three fourth-quarter comebacks through seven weeks.
Freeman’s latest heroics came last week against St. Louis. The 6-6, 248-pound Freeman hit Cadillac Williams for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left as Tampa Bay overcame a 14-point deficit in an 18-17 victory.
Such dramatics are starting to become old hat for Freeman.
He helped the Buccaneers overcome an 11-point deficit against Cleveland in the season opener and also rallied the team from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit against Cincinnati three weeks ago.
Freeman’s efforts have been even more remarkable when you consider the Buccaneers are 20th in the league in rushing (96.7 ypg) and 22st in the league in total defense.
Freeman has been getting little help from Williams, who is averaging a career-low 2.5 yards per carry. Tampa Bay is hopeful undrafted rookie LeGarrette Blount, who ran for 72 yards on 11 carries last week, can inject some life into the running game.
Blount could have success against the Cardinals, who are 29th in the league against the run, allowing 141.3 yards per game.
The Buccaneers, who finished 3-13 last season, can move into a tie for first place in the NFC South with a win since Atlanta is idle this week.
Arizona, meanwhile, is struggling to stay competitive in a division it has owned each of the last two seasons.
The Cardinals, once among the highest-scoring teams in the league, are last in the league in total offense (237.8 ypg). The two-time NFC West champion's struggles can be traced to wretched quarterback play.
The combination of Derek Anderson and undrafted rookie Max Hall have combined for a league-low three touchdown passes.
Hall struggled in his second career start last week against Seattle before leaving with a concussion. The local hero from nearby Mesa completed just 4 of 16 passes for 36 yards and an interception.
Anderson, who was bench in favor of Hall, entered and was 8 of 17 for 96 yards and an interception in the 22-10 loss. He may be called upon to make his first start since Week 4.
All of the uncertainty at quarterback has rendered All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald irrelevant. Fitzgerald is on pace for his worst season since 2006. He has just 29 catches for 331 yards and two touchdowns.
Arizona is looking to start 3-0 at home for the third straight year, while the Buccaneers are seeking a fifth straight road win.