NFL Game Of The Week: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Eagles will travel to Raymond James Stadium Sunday to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs in a Wild Card Weekend matchup between two tough NFC East teams. 

The Eagles started the year 2-5 but won eight of their last 10 to finish 9-8. In his first year as a starter, second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 265 of 432 passes (61.3%) for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Hurts finished in the bottom half of league QBs in several passing categories, including passing yards (21st), touchdown passes (23rd) and completion percentage (28th). The Eagles averaged 200.3 yards per game through the air, putting them at 26th in the league and the lowest of any playoff team. 

So why is there reason for optimism in Philly? While Hurts is still clearly developing as a passer, he lead all quarterbacks in 2021 with 784 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Running back Miles Sanders (137 ATT, 754 YDS) Jordan Howard (86 ATT, 406 YDS, 3 TDS), Boston Scott (87 ATT, 373 YDS, 7 TDS) and Kenneth Gainwell (68 ATT, 291 YDS, 5 TDS) rounded out a Philadelphia running attack that averaged 159.7 yards per game this season, best in the NFL. Philadelphia's 25 rushing touchdowns are also tops in the league, and their 4.9 yards per carry average is fourth and best amongst teams that made the playoffs. 

Rookie Devonta Smith (64 REC, 916 YDS, 5 TDS) leads the Eagles in receiving yards and touchdowns, while Dallas Goedert (56 REC, 830 YDS, 4 TDS) leads the team in YAC with 386. Goedert's 830 receding yards were fifth-most amongst NFL tight ends. Smith and Goedert were the only two Philadelphia receivers to record more than two touchdown catches this season, and the Eagles 20 team receiving touchdowns catches are tied for 28th in the league. 

Linebacker Alex Singleton's 137 tackles (81 Solo) leads a Philadelphia defense that ended the regular season in the top 15 of several defensive categories despite recording just 12 interceptions (28th), 29 sacks (31st) and allowing opponents a 69.44 % completion percentage, last in the league. The Eagles are giving up 220.1 yards per game through the air (11th) and 107.9 yards per game on the ground (9th). Javon Hargrove and Josh Sweat lead the team with 7.5 sacks a piece. They'll be tested by a Tampa Bay offense that finished second in the league with 405.9 total yards per game. 

Tom Brady completed another stellar season in 2021, completing 485 of 719 passes (67.5%) for a league-leading 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns, also tops in the NFL. The Bucs averaged 307.6 yards per game through the air, best in the league. Chris Godwin (98 REC, 1,103 YDS, 5 TDS) leads Tampa Bay in catches and receiving yards, but was lost for the season with a torn ACL in a Week 14 loss to New Orleans. Mike Evans (74 REC, 1,035 YDS, 14 TDS) and Rob Gronkowski (55 REC, 802 YDS, 6 TDS) remain to powerful weapon in Brady's arsenal, and will have to step up with Godwin unavailable in the playoffs. Tight End Cameron Brate (30 REC, 245 YDS 4 TDS) is the only healthy But other than Gronkowski and Evans with more than three touchdowns catches this season. 

Leonard Fournette (180 ATT, 812 YDS, 8 TDS) leads a Bucs ground game that struggled to a 98.4 yards per game average this season (28th). Founette suffered a hamstring injury in the Bucs' 9-0 los to New Orleans on 12/19, missing weeks 16 and 17. He's listed as questionable for Sunday. Ronald Jones (101 ATT, 428 YDS, 4 TDS) Ke'Shawn Vaughn (36 ATT, 180 YDS, 2 TDS) and newly signed Le'Veon Bell (8 ATT, 18 YDS) are all options if Fournette isn't ready by game time. 

Linebacker Devin White leads the Bucs defense with 128 grackles (87 solo), while Sha     Barrett is their sack leader with 10. The Bucs have 47 sacks this season, good for sixth. Tampa Bay has not been great against the pass, giving up 238.9 yards per game through the air (21st), but their 17 interceptions are tied for fifth most in the league. The Bucs are tough against the run, giving up an average of 92.5 yard per game (3rd). It will be interesting to see how this run defense holds up against Philadelphia's top rated attack. 

Prediction

The Eagles could very well be on their way to being an NFC powerhouse, but their playoff run will end early against a Tampa Bay offense that is too strong even without Godwin and a banged up Leonard Fournette. Also the Bucs have...BRADY. 

Tampa Bay 28- Eagles 17



 






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