Buccaneers win over Eagles: The Eagles’ 2023 season concluded on a disappointing note with a 32-9 loss to the Bucs in the Super Wild Card Playoff. Despite some key challenges, including the absence of A.J. Brown, the offense managed only one touchdown drive. Throughout the game, the defense faced difficulties, especially in the passing game, as safeties Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown were missing.
Several moments defined the game, including a crucial two-possession sequence in the third quarter that widened the Bucs’ lead. The offense struggled, with Jalen Hurts under constant pressure from Tampa Bay’s effective blitzing. Despite a notable connection between Hurts and DeVonta Smith for a 55-yard gain, the Eagles failed to sustain momentum.
Here are some takeaways from Buccaneers win over Eagles…
- In the critical third quarter, Tampa Bay’s lead expanded from 16-9 to 25-9 in a pivotal two-possession sequence. The offense and defense both faltered, with Jalen Hurts facing immense pressure from Tampa Bay’s frequent blitzes. With the Eagles near their goal line, Hurts succumbed to the pressure, resulting in an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone for a Tampa Bay safety. Subsequently, the defense conceded a 56-yard touchdown pass to Trey Palmer, deepening Philadelphia’s deficit heading into the fourth quarter.
- Philadelphia’s offense struggled through three quarters, securing only 11 first downs, going 0-for-7 on third downs, and amassing merely 218 total net yards. This performance was a stark contrast to their Week 3 victory, where they dominated with 201 rushing yards and nearly 500 total yards. The Eagles found no answers to Tampa Bay’s aggressive blitz strategy, resulting in a failure to sustain significant offensive momentum, and they failed to convert any of their nine third-down attempts.
- The importance of gaining substantial yardage became evident as the Eagles sought to rejuvenate their offense. A 55-yard connection between Hurts and DeVonta Smith down the left slot set the stage for a touchdown opportunity. Following Smith’s advance to the Tampa Bay 5-yard line, Hurts seamlessly connected with tight end Dallas Goedert for a touchdown. Despite the initial success, the Eagles’ attempt at a two-point conversion from the 1-yard line was thwarted by the Bucs, leaving the score at 16-9 late in the second quarter.
- Tampa Bay dominated the first half, scoring on all four possessions with three field goals and a touchdown. Despite the Eagles managing some stops, Tampa Bay’s balanced approach, combining 15 running plays for 68 yards and Baker Mayfield’s effective passing, secured a 16-3 lead with under 6 minutes remaining. The Bucs could have further capitalized, but six dropped passes in the first half limited their advantage.
- The unexpected standout, David Moore, emerged as a significant threat for Tampa Bay. Despite being on the Biggest Threats list, Moore’s impact was substantial, with 5 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Making a pivotal play in the first quarter, Moore caught a pass, evaded tackles, and completed a 44-yard scoring play. His contribution led to Tampa Bay’s 10-0 lead after the PAT, showcasing the unpredictability of the game.
- Despite the Eagles’ eagerness to kick off the game with a strong start, their intentions fell flat. In the initial quarter alone, during three drives (while Tampa Bay had possession and was in Eagles territory at the start of the second quarter), Moore managed 2 catches for 66 yards. Mayfield’s impressive passing performance in the first quarter, accumulating 137 yards, led Tampa Bay to secure 10 first downs, convert 2 of 3 third downs, and amass 178 total net yards. Conversely, the Eagles’ offense only mustered a single first down and 26 total net yards.
- The Eagles encountered setbacks as they attempted to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The two-point conversion failed in the first half, and in the early fourth quarter, trailing 25-9, Jake Elliott’s successful field goal attempt was nullified by an offsides penalty on the Bucs on fourth and 10. Despite the penalty, Nick Sirianni chose to keep the offense on the field for a fourth-and-5 attempt. However, Carlton Davis thwarted Hurts’ pass in the right corner of the end zone intended for Smith, resulting in a failed fourth-down conversion.
- Baker Mayfield delivered a stellar performance, throwing for 337 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 9.4 yards per pass attempt, primarily in the middle of the field. The Eagles struggled with missed tackles, a recurring theme late in the season. There is little to add about the defense, which also permitted 119 yards on the ground. Tampa Bay capitalized on 6 of its first 9 possessions, securing a commanding 32-9 lead.
- In his final game of the season, Jalen Hurts faced relentless blitz pressure, clearly missing A.J. Brown. Despite completing 25 of 35 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown, he had a limited impact on the ground with a single run for 5 yards. Opposing teams throughout the season effectively curtailed his ground game and consistently pressured him with blitz strategies. The Eagles faced significant setbacks in their running game on Monday night, managing just 41 yards on 15 carries.
- DeVonta Smith showcased his prowess, as usual, catching 8 passes for 148 yards on 12 targets. However, offensive firepower proved insufficient as teams ideally require multiple weapons. Dallas Goedert only managed 4 receptions on a night when the Eagles found themselves trailing from the outset, emphasizing the need for a more diversified offensive approach.
Also read: NFL Playoff Schedule 2024
