Through The Spyglass: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

On a two-game winning streak, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Philadelphia Eagles at home on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Get to know their opponent and their best players.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a 2-0 start to the season. The defense has been lights out, and the offense is starting to gel under quarterback Baker Mayfield and offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Though their biggest challenge yet and perhaps all year comes next.

The Bucs will play host to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 3. The reigning NFC Champions are also 2-0, and while they haven't played their best football yet they remain a formidable opponent and test for the Buccaneers.

In this weekly article, BucsGameday will preview the upcoming opponent. We’ll break down their prior season, the moves they’ve made this year, and the top players to watch on the offense and defense to give you insight into what to expect on game day.

Matchup History

The Buccaneers aren't necessarily a rivalry but there is no love lost between these two teams. While they've only played each other 21 times, five of them have been playoff battles with the Bucs holding the edge 4-1 including shutting down the Linc in 2002. The last time these two teams played each other was in the WIldcard round of the 2021 playoffs with the Bucs securing a 31-15 victory. Tampa Bay narrowly holds the edge all time 11-10.

READ MORE: Dallas Cowboys Release Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl Champion Running Back

Looking Back At 2022

Last season the Eagles added playmakers on both sides of the ball with linebacker Hassan Reddcik and a draft day trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown. The additions helped them finish the regular season with a 14-3 record and the number one seed in the NFC. They made it all the way to the Super Bowl but lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs in a back-and-forth game that ended on the final play. 

What's New In 2023

Much of the team's core that was on the Super Bowl roster returns including center Jason Kelce who considered retiring. The Eagles bolstered their defense through the draft with Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. However, they also lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators to head coaching jobs this offseason. 

Like most Super Bowl teams their roster was pilfered in free agency. Several starters moved on to other teams, including defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, guard Isaac Seumalo, linebacker T.J. Edwards, running back Miles Sanders and both starting safeties Marcus Epps and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Running Back Likely Headed to Injured Reserve After Knee Injury

Top Players On Offense

QB Jalen Hurts

Hurts had a phenomenal 2022 season that saw him finish second in MVP voting. He's grown into a franchise quarterback, as well as getting paid like one this offseason. He can beat you multiple ways and is as dynamic a passer as he is a runner. 

The Bucs will need to be aware of him at all times and stay disciplined so he doesn't beat them with his legs. 

WR A.J. Brown

The Eagles have a dangerous duo of receivers with Brown and Devonta Smith, but Brown is the dynamic of the two. While Smith can beat you with his incredible speed, change of direction, and separation, Brown just beats you. He uses his physicality, size, and speed to beat cornerbacks to the ball. He is a load to take down and has developed into Hurts' top receiving target.

The Bucs will ask a lot from their cornerbacks this week. If they aren't up to the test it could be a busy night for Smith and Brown. 

C Jason Kelce

Kelce at age 35 is arguably the best center in the NFL. The five-time first-team All-Pro plays with tremendous leverage and an unparalleled knowledge of the game and his assignments. He makes all the protection calls and uses quick feet and terrific balance to take on opponents much bigger than him.

Vita Vea will have his hands full on Monday night with Kelce who knows all the tricks of the trade to handle defensive linemen larger than him.

Top Players On Defense

READ MORE: Bucs' Linebacker Devin White Regrets Trade Request: "I'm Stupid For Trying to Leave!"

CB Darius Slay

Slay is still one of the NFL's best cornerbacks and finished as the third-best corner in the league in 2022, per PFF. He has a great understanding of zone coverage but also excels in off-man as well. Slay possesses the quickness to keep up with anyone combined with the awareness to attack the ball when it's in the air with 14 pass breakups last season. 

Slay presents plenty of problems for the Bucs offense but can struggle with bigger physical receivers. Expect the Buccaneers to try to get Evans as many one-on-one matchups as they can. 

LB Hassan Reddick

Reddick tallied 16 sacks in 2022 for the Eagles and rounded out his game to become a complete linebacker. He can win with speed or power and sometimes both and will line up all over the field. With an insane get-off and elite bend, he is a handful for linemen to deal with and gets to the quarterback with ease totaling 87 pressures last season.

The Eagles front-seven presents a huge problem for the Bucs offensive line which has yet to be really tested this season. Extra resources will need to be utilized to help keep Reddick and others in check. 

DE Josh Sweat

Sweat racked up 11 sacks and 23 quarterback hits with the Eagles last season in just 52% of snaps played. He's developed into a force in the run game as well and has three stops on the season thus far. He has two sacks and a forced fumble in two games and has a knack for making the big play.

Like Reddick, Sweat will provide a true test for the Bucs' offensive line. The Eagles' defensive line rotation is as deep as they come. The likes of Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter will be a difficult unit for the Buccaneers to contain.

Final Thoughts

The Eagles are one of the top teams in the league and a favorite to return to the Super Bowl in 2023. Philadelphia hasn't gotten off to a strong start, but are still 2-0 on the season. They have tremendous depth up front, had four players finish in double-digit sacks last season, and added Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith through the draft. The Eagles have come into the season with an "unfinished business" mentality, aiming to get back to the Super Bowl and win the championship that eluded them.  

What are your thoughts on the game? Can the Bucs keep the hot streak going or are the Eagles too tough of a matchup for them?

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage, news and analysis throughout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 season.

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