Eagles Lead Bucs at Halftime After Two Late Takeaways

The Philadelphia Eagles headed into halftime with a lead in Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The last time the Philadelphia Eagles played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they lost in the NFC Wild Card to Tom Brady and Co. to close out Nick Sirianni's first season as Philly's head coach.

Things have changed for both teams since that game, something that showed through one half of action on Monday night in Tampa Bay. In a battle of 2-0 squads, the Eagles led Tampa Bay 13-3 headed into halftime.

In a 3-3 game, the Eagles came to life late in the second quarter with a 34-yard touchdown connection between Jalen Hurts and Olamide Zaccheaus before quickly getting the ball back thanks to a Reed Blankenship interception a few plays later. 

Hurts then tossed what appeared to be a costly interception of his own in the red zone on the ensuing possession, but Eagles rookie Jalen Carter forced a fumble of Bucs running back Rachaad White to give Philly the ball back. This led to a chip-shot kick from Eagles kicker Jake Elliott in the final three seconds of the half.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium / © Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY

The Eagles offense made easy work of the Tampa Bay offense on the game's first two drives but were halted inside the red zone both times, the first of which was a turnover on downs after a failed run by Kenny Gainwell on 4th and 2.

A.J. Brown and Hurts found a spark on Philly's first drive. The duo connected for gains of 28 and 16 yards, but the Eagles turned it over on downs inside the red zone.

Eagles returner Britain Covey had a career-best 52-yard punt return down the Philly sideline on their second drive, but the team had to settle for a 36-yard field goal from Elliott to take a 3-0 lead.

The two teams then traded punts before the Bucs responded with a 13-play, 69-yard drive that was extended on a 3rd and 8 after a pass interference penalty from Eagles cornerback Josh Jobe. Tampa Bay kicker Chase McLaughlin nailed a 33-yard field goal to tie things up at 3-3 in the second quarter.

The craziness that ensued at the end of the second quarter then took place from here.

The Eagles will receive the second-half kickoff.