To kickoff Sunday's Wild Card action, the Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) make the trip down south to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) and the GOAT Tom Brady.
For a number of reasons, I believe this game is being overlooked. I think that the Bucs might have a really tough game on their hands.
These two teams actually faced off way back in mid October. While yes that was pretty long ago, there are a lot of intriguing things to learn from that game. A lot of things have changed since these teams played, and I think it's quite arguable that things have changed positively for the Eagles, while maybe the opposite has happened for the Bucs?
In that October matchup, the Eagles competed surprisingly well. It was a pretty close game in the end. Back then, the Eagles did not really have much of an identity. They were slinging it all over the field with limited success, and like I just said, the game was pretty tight...
Since then, the Eagles have found a solid run heavy offensive identity that helped them win enough games to clinch a pretty surprising playoff berth. The Eagles aren't exactly blowing minds with next level passing and highlights. But they seem efficient and being able to run the ball in the playoffs is a massive asset.
I believe that since the Eagles know what they want to do on offense now, they might be able to really compete with the Bucs. Even more than they did when they were just trying to figure things out back in October.
The Bucs on the other hand are still a very strong team, but they have some low-key issues that I wonder if people are really taking seriously.
In recent weeks the Bucs lost two key receivers in Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown. Neither will be available the rest of the season. Brown is not even a Buccaneer anymore. Those two receivers accounted for a combined 140 receptions, 1,648 receiving yards, and 9 touchdown receptions. The Bucs will also be without their reliable second string running back Ronald Jones II.
To make matters a smidge more spooky for the Bucs, is the fact that the weather in Tampa might be just funky enough to cause some more chaos. There's a mild chance at some rain on Sunday but there's also some pretty high winds expected as well. 20+ miles per hour. Tom throws a lot, Eagles run a lot....
- Eagles competed well last game vs Bucs
- Eagles have since found a solid offensive identity
- The Bucs have lost some key pass catchers
- Interesting weather in Tampa? Could benefit Philly's run heavy style....
Hmmmmmmm. I think that those are some intriguing circumstances!! Upset worthy? We shall see!
It's still pretty foreign to be watching Tom Brady compete in the NFC playoffs after being on the AFC side like, forever.
Also, it is quite an interesting matchup to see second year Eagles QB Jalen Hurts compete against Tom friggin' Brady in the playoffs. Not just because Tom and Jalen have a very different QB playing style.
Jalen and Tom are separated by 21 years in age!! That is where a lot of intrigue comes in, no doubt about it. But to me it goes even farther. Tom and Jalen were both college underdogs and many people doubted their pro potential. Tom has clearly proven himself over the past two decades as a pro.
But right now, Jalen is the young guy that many people still doubt after his odd, up and down college career. Very slowly but surely, Jalen is beginning to prove himself, and make a name for himself. He hasn't been spectacular really, but the kid seems hungry and focused. I don't think anyone can deny that about Jalen. Jalen seems like he's a good leader with good character and work ethic. Time will tell how his talent can develop at the pro level.
There is just something interesting about Tom and Jalen meeting in the playoffs. I can't really put my finger on it.
Its just cool to see a kid like Jalen, scratch and claw and be doubted in college, let alone as a pro, to now find himself on a playoff team that barely made it in and is now facing the GOAT. Just very interesting to me.
Can Jalen and the Eagles shock the world?
Here's some interesting info/stats to compare the Bucs and Eagles.
Notable Eagles W-L during the regular season
| Good Wins | Bad Losses |
|---|---|
| Saints? | Giants |
| Falcons? | |
| Broncos? |
This Eagles team continues to be mysterious. They don't really have any amazing wins to be seen. But they also only have one bad loss to a bad team.
While yes it's true, to consider yourself a good team, good teams should beat other good teams. I get that. But still, other than the Giants, nearly every other team the Eagles lost to in 2021-22 either had a winning record or are a current playoff team.
The Eagles lost to:
- 49ers - Playoff Team
- Cowboys - Playoff Team
- Chiefs - Playoff Team
- Buccaneers - Playoff Team
- Raiders - Playoff Team
- Chargers - EXTREMELY close to a Playoff Team, finished 9-8
- Giants
It would have been more impressive if the Eagles could have beaten a playoff team, but still. This is a mild eyebrow raiser.
Notable Buccaneers W-L during the regular season
| Good Wins | Bad Losses |
|---|---|
| Cowboys | Washington |
| Patriots | 0-2 vs Saints |
| Eagles |
The Bucs has a strong year. No EPIC wins but some good wins. Losing to the Saints is not TERRIBLE, but they should have been good enough to beat them at least once.
Offensive Weapons for each team
Quarterbacks
| Jalen Hurts - EAGLES QB | Regular Season Stat Category | Tom Brady - BUCCANEERS QB |
|---|---|---|
| 3,144 | Passing Yards | 5,316 |
| 16 | Passing Touchdowns | 43 |
| 9 | Interceptions | 12 |
| 87.2 | QB Rating | 102.1 |
| 61.3 | Completion % | 67.5 |
| 784 | Rushing Yards | 81 |
| 10 | Rushing Touchdowns | 2 |
It comes as no surprise that Tom is the much better QB. But Jalen keeps it interesting by being able to produce with his mobility and speed.
Running Backs
| Miles Sanders - EAGLES RB | Regular Season Stat Category | Leonard Fournette - BUCCANEERS RB |
|---|---|---|
| 754 | Rushing Yards | 812 |
| 0 | Rushing Touchdowns | 8 |
| 5.5 | Yards Per Carry | 4.5 |
| 912 | Yards from Scrimmage | 1,266 |
| 0 | Total Touchdowns | 10 |
| 12 | Games Played | 14 |
Leonard Fournette is REALLY good! He's established himself as a reliable and consistent back in the NFL. Sanders for the Eagles is actually really good too. His numbers could be stronger if the Eagles ran the ball more early in the season. For example in the first Bucs-Eagles matchup Sanders only ran the ball nine times. QB Jalen Hurts actually has more rushing yards this season than Sanders.
Top Receivers
| DeVonta Smith - EAGLES Top Receiver | Regular Season Stat Category | Mike Evans - BUCCANEERS Top Receiver |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | Receptions | 74 |
| 916 | Receiving Yards | 1,035 |
| 5 | Touchdown Receptions | 14 |
| 14.3 | Yards Per Reception | 14 |
Mike Evans has been a TOP receiver for the Bucs for many years. Just stacking 1,000 yard seasons. year in and year out. Although if Godwin didn't get injured, he would be displayed here for the Bucs.
Smith for the Eagles has had a better rookie season than I would have predicted. The kid needs to eat a sandwich still though. He's fast and athletic and good, he just lacks size. He's still young though so perhaps in time he will bulk up a bit.
#2 Receiving Options
| TE Dallas Goedert - EAGLES #2 Passing Target | Regular Season Stat Category | TE Rob Gronkowski - BUCCANEERS #2 Passing Target |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Receptions | 55 |
| 830 | Receiving Yards | 802 |
| 4 | Touchdown Receptions | 6 |
| 14.8 | Yards Per Reception | 14.3 |
Tight ends as the second target for these teams!
These numbers favor Dallas, but I think most would agree that Rob is the much better TE and player. Dallas is used a lot more in Philly than Rob is in Tampa. Mostly because the Bucs had a lot more and superior pass catching options. With Tampa recently losing Brown and Godwin, Gronk is going to need to step up BIG TIME.
Prediction/Final thoughts
These teams have very comparable defenses. This will come down to offense. Can the Eagles run the ball as they wish? Or will Brady do Brady things and just toy with the Eagles' defense?
You know what? Screw it. I'm taking the EAGLES in this one!! I'm not betting on it so who care if I'm wrong! I won't be surprised whatsoever if I am wrong though. Tom is a legend.
But I think that the style matchup favors the Eagles. Plus, the potential weather and the Bucs losing key pieces will also favor the Eagles!
Leave those predictions!
