Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (2-2): 33-16
Without shaking. The Buccaneers knew how to play on both sides of the ball to easily win against the Eagles without receivers and without real solutions. First in the first half where Tampa Bay took a four score lead when their opponent only managed to pick up a few meager yards. Then, in the second half when the defense was able to put pressure on Jalen Hurts to prevent a very hypothetical comeback. Baker Mayfield continues his very good season, helped by Mike Evans who is still performing as well.
For Philadelphia things are getting tougher. The coaching and Hurts appeared powerless to raise their heads, and the ferocious defense of previous weeks only showed itself sporadically. Without its two main receivers the attack has long been ghostly. Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert can't produce 150 yards every week…
Baker Mayfield plays his game
At the start of the match, the Buccaneers decided to install their offensive game and not let themselves be caught by the pressure of the terrible defensive line of the Eagles. Quick throws, screen passes and intermediate receptions allow Baker Mayfield (QB, 30/47, 347 yards, 2 TD) to distribute to all his receivers, then alert Mike Evans (WR, 94 yards, 1 TD) and Trey Palmer (WR, 26 yards, 1 TD) in the paint from the first series. Opposite, Philadelphia – deprived of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith – cannot establish its game. The offensive series quickly stalls and the game is sterile. A complete one-way street.
The second quarter opens with a new score for the Floridians. Taking advantage of a blunder on a punt, the Buccs recovered the lead at the entrance to the red zone. A few actions are enough for Mayfield to cross the line on a short run, Tampa Bay rolls out. To drive the point home, the Buccaneers take an extra kick, while Philadelphia has still not produced a single first down… We have to wait until the last minutes to see the Eagles finally start moving forward. Jalen Hurts (QB, 18/30, 158 yards, 1 TD, 6 sacks) rolls up on a play action and finds Parris Campbell (WR, 17 yards, 1 TD) in the back of the goal to reduce the score. 24-7 at the break, Tampa Bay has accumulated 4 times more yards and 2 times more possession than its opponent, the pirates return to the locker room calmly.
The defense also plays
From the whistle, Saquon Barkley (RB, 116 yards) sounds the revolt. A winding run devours 59 yards, before Hurts crosses the line on Philly's inevitable tush push. Sensing the threat, Tampa Bay decides to resume its West Coast game, and progresses thanks to small, quick passes with a high success rate. Bucky Irving (RB, 55 yards, 1 TD) is at the conclusion, but the touchdown conversion is blocked and restarted for 2 points. The Eagles remain two scores apart and maintain the momentum. They resume their march forward, begin to find the rhythm, and yet their momentum is cut short when Hurts loses the leather on a blind side sack.
A turnover which costs 3 new points, and which puts the Buccaneers back in front. The Florida defense then took control of the match and nailed Philadelphia's hopes of a comeback. Lavonte David (LB, 8 TKL, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FF) then Logan Hall (DE, 3 TKL, 1 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 PD) and Anthony Nelson (LB, 4 TKL, 1 sacks, 1 TFL) sack Hurts to break the Eagles' rhythm again. The men from Pennsylvania cannot find the fault, and must bow to a more complete and more regular opponent who has been able to produce on both sides of the ball.
