Eagles vs. Bucs: 5 Things to Watch, Predictions
The only matchup of Week 3 between two undefeated teams is nearly here – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Raymond James Stadium on Monday night at 7:15.
Here are five things I’d like to see from the Eagles:
Jalen Hurts answers some questions. So much has been made about the passing offense not jelling, and now the quarterback will face a team that he has probably had the least success against in just his two-plus years as the starter.
He is 0-2 against Tampa, including a playoff loss in 2021.
Hurts lost the regular season game that same season, 28-22, completing just 12 of 26 passes for 115 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
In the rematch, during the wildcard playoff round, he was 23-for-43 with 258 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown.
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A win with some healthy-looking numbers might make a fan base with crazy-high Super Bowl expectations happy on a short week until the Eagles host the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
It would be helpful if Hurts finds a way to get rid of the ball quicker. He has already been sacked seven times in two games. He didn’t get sacked for a seventh time until Week 3 last year, so that's a bit of an increase.
Haason Reddick notches his first sack of the season. Heck, let’s make it two sacks. Reddick has had 11 days to heal his broken thumb and adjust to playing with a wrap. Two games in five days may have been too much, and the result was no sacks for him.
He didn’t get his first sack last year until Week 3, and given the state of the Tampa offensive line, this could be – should be – a game Reddick sheds the goose egg.
Head coach Nick Sirianni said he didn’t think playing through the surgically repaired thumb is hampering Reddick.
“He still changes the game because of who he is,” said Sirianni. “That's the beauty of pass rushers. As an offensive coach, you have to be alert of where the pass rushers are, and we have multiple ones.
“I've learned this a long time ago that these things come in waves. These sacks come in waves. There is a lot of attention given to guys, and when you have other guys like Josh Sweat on the other side that are making a lot of plays, that attention will shift back and forth, and it comes and goes in waves.
“He's been getting pressures, I know that. Hasson has been getting pressures and has been affecting the game being out there.”
Reed Blankenship interception. The Eagles have forced six turnovers, but only one interception. Forced and recovered fumbles are nice, but Blankenship was my preseason pick to lead the team in picks with four. Also, Baker Mayfield hasn’t thrown one yet this year.
It’s time for both a Blankenship pick and a Mayfield interception.
Sydney Brown gets some slot reps. It’s time to get the third-round rookie on the field more. Four defensive snaps in two games aren’t going to cut it for a player the team is hoping can be their future. To be the future, playing time in the present helps.
Maybe that time will come in the slot. With Avonte Maddox likely gone for the season after surgery to repair a torn pec, the Eagles are probably going to go with Mario Goodrich. Expect a short leash. Let’s see what Brown can do close to the line of scrimmage, even if his reps there are limited.
Punter/holder success. Arryn Siposs was well-liked in the Eagles’ locker room, but he is gone now in favor of Braden Mann, who will take over as the punter and holder. The holding operation is particularly important because Jake Elliott has gotten off to a strong start this season having already made two field goals beyond 50 yards and a 61-yarder.
It would be good to that continue with Mann holding, and special teams coordinator Michael Clay said earlier this week that Elliott and Mann worked out together a bit during the offseason, so there is some familiarity.
It would be nice to see Mann post a net punting average above 40 yards, something Siposs struggled to do toward the end.
PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 20
