CBS Sports Releases Score Prediction for Buccaneers-Eagles Playoff Matchup
Since Week 13, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have ended the season strong - finishing with a 5-1 record down the stretch on their way to securing the NFC South division and the fourth seed in the NFC playoff picture.
With a playoff spot secured, the Buccaneers will now get a rematch against a team that they lost to in Week 3 of the regular season, the Philadelphia Eagles. In Week 3, the game wasn't relatively close as the Eagles led 25-3 for the majority of the contest before eventually winning 25-11. The Bucs were just in their third game with a new offensive coordinator in his first year as such, a new QB, and many other new facets, while the Eagles were viewed as one of the top teams in the league.
Things have since changed.
The Eagles have looked shaky as the regular season has come to a close and the Buccaneers have looked to have figured things out, which has led to a split decision amongst those picking the upcoming Monday night Wild Card matchup.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, however, believes that the underdog Buccaneers will be the victors and move on to the next round.
"The Eagles are limping into the playoffs having lost five of their last six. They haven't come close to looking like the Super Bowl team from a year ago. The Bucs played better down the stretch, although they did lose to the Saints two weeks ago at home. Even so, I expect Baker Mayfield to play better against an Eagles defense that has struggled. Look for a big game from Mike Evans. The Bucs will pull off the upset.
Pick: Bucs 27, Eagles 24"
It is definitely an interesting pick as the Eagles looked to have had the Buccaneers figured out in the past, but as I and Prisco mentioned, these teams look completely different than they did at the beginning of the season.
The Buccaneers will likely need to put together a near-perfect game on both sides of the ball if they plan on making it to the next round, but the Bucs' faithful seem pretty optimistic about getting that done.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.
