Previewing The Eagles Clash Against The Undefeated Buccaneers
As Week Three approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles are getting ready to travel to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to take on the 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game will take place at 7:15PM Eastern Time on Monday Night Football. Both teams are 2-0 and look to continue their undefeated start to the 2023 season. Let’s take a look at what will be at stake in this matchup.
Which Eagles Running Back Will Be The Focal Point Of The Running Game?
Ever since the Eagles let Miles Sanders sign with the Carolina Panthers this past offseason as a free agent, they have not had a true number one running back. Kenneth Gainwell got the start in the season opening win and did ok. He rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries before missing the second game with an injury.
In the second game, D’Andre Swift got the start and the bulk of the carries. In his NFC Offensive Player of the Week showing, he recorded 175 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Quarterback Jalen Hurts as well as running backs Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny also produced some yards on the ground, but the Eagles would be wise to have Swift back out there doing the work.
In Tampa Bay’s first two games, they shut down the opposing run games. They allowed just 41 rushing yards in their win against the Minnesota Vikings in the opener and only 67 yards last week against the Chicago Bears. The Eagles with their unique rushing attack and dominant offensive line should be able to give the Bucs a challenge they have not seen yet.
Can Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield Have A Career Game?
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield once had a promising future with the Cleveland Browns before they brought in Deshaun Watson in 2022. He then bounced between the Panthers and Rams last year going just 2-8 as a starter. This year, Mayfield has a new home and is playing well. In two games, he has completed nearly 70% of his passes for 490 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Mayfield will go against an Eagles secondary that could be missing several key pieces. Philly’s defense allowed Mac Jones to throw for 316 yards and three touchdowns in Week One and then Kirk Cousins threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns last week. Despite Mayfield’s struggles last year, the Eagles can’t afford to take him lightly in this game.
Can New Eagles Offensive Coordinator Get Jalen Hurts On Track?
Since winning the NFC last season, the Eagles lost offensive coordinator Shane Steichen to the Indianapolis Colts and Jalen Hurts signed a five-year $255 million contract. Philly’s offense with Hurts and newly promoted offensive coordinator Brian Johnson have looked flat compared to last year. The run game has been strong, but Hurts isn’t putting up the passing numbers yet.
In two games Hurts is 40 of 56 passing for 363 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble. While the numbers aren’t bad, it’s not what Hurts is paid to do. He has made some good throws, but other than a few occasions, he has not gotten the ball down field enough. With that said, Hurts is still dangerous as a runner. He has 72 rushing yards and two scores through two games.
The Eagles offense will need to be careful with the football against a team with five takeaways so far this season. Tampa’s defense has already limited the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins led passing offense to just 17 points and shut down dual threat quarterback Justin Fields of the Bears. With play makers like Devin White, Vita Vea, along others, expect Tampa to put pressure on Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense.
It should be an interesting game between the 2022 NFC Champions and the surprisingly 2-0 Buccaneers. Philadelphia will be coming off 10 days rest since their Week Two game was on a Thursday. This may be what the team needs to get healthier and a more effective game plan, especially on offense.
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