Game Preview: Buccaneers to Host Eagles in Battle of Undefeated Teams on Monday Night Football
The Philadelphia Eagles are a problem.
They’re coming off an incredible season in 2022. It was one that saw the Eagles dominate during the regular season — with an impressive 14-3 record — before making it all the way to the Super Bowl where they lost a thrilling game 38-35 to the juggernaut Kansas City Chiefs.
Experiencing defeat on the greatest stage a sport has to offer will undoubtedly provide any group with the extra motivation needed to attack the following season with a vengeance. This Eagles team certainly fits that criteria.
But that isn’t what makes them so dangerous.
The Philadelphia Eagles' greatest strength is the most basic, fundamental, and important aspect of any team that’s assembled, in any sport: Their talent. And when it comes to evaluating the overall quality of rosters in the NFL, you’d be hard-pressed to find a General Manager who’s done a more masterful job of building a team than Howie Roseman has in Philadelphia.
When it comes to building his team through the trenches, Roseman has created a masterpiece.
The Eagles are the only team in the NFL who have a legitimate claim for the best offensive and defensive lines in the league. Yes, both.
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On the defensive side, Howie Roseman has built an incredibly stout group, primarily through the draft. Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, and most recently, Jalen Carter, were all drafted by Howie Roseman. Carter was the most talented defensive prospect in this year’s draft, and Roseman — after making a trade with Chicago — somehow managed to get him at 9th overall. Although the Eagles did lose Javon Hargrave to the 49ers in free agency, in terms of the DL, the rich still got richer in Philly.
Throw in a number of impact edge rushers – highlighted by 2022 free agent acquisition, Hasaan Reddick – including Josh Sweat, talented rookie Nolan Smith, and determined veterans like Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett, and it’s obvious that the Eagles' depth off the edge is impressive. Even more so when working in tandem with the gifted, gargantuan specimens they already have lined up on the inside.
The Eagles' defense will pose a major problem for Tampa Bay’s young offensive line, who’s already looked vulnerable at points this season, despite facing off against less imposing competition.
But let’s look on the bright side. This matchup will provide a golden opportunity for the Buccaneers’ offensive line to establish themselves as a serviceable group. If they can handle the Eagles’ front seven, they can handle anyone.
For Tampa Bay’s offense as a whole, they’ll likely need to be more aggressive through the air than on the ground. We know Dave Canales wants to establish the run game, but that will be a tall order in this one. The Eagles have been dominant against the run, limiting opponents to just 54 rushing yards per game through two weeks.
Conversely, even though Philly has a dynamic duo of proven corners in Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the Eagles have been extremely susceptible through the air. In fact, Philadelphia has given up the second most passing yards (652) in the NFL through their first two games, and a league-worst 7 passing touchdowns.
Chris Godwin will have an important role in this game as the Eagles are especially susceptible in the slot. Not only did they lose CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Detroit Lions in free agency during the offseason, but the Eagles' secondary has been ravaged by injury so far this year. Philly is missing their top-2 nickel cornerbacks, with starter Avonte Maddox out with a torn pec, and his backup, Zech McPhearson on the shelf as well. Former Buccaneer, Justin Evans, and reserve defensive back, Josh Jobe, will likely be relied upon heavily to try and slow down the Bucs passing attack.
But again, that will only be possible if Tampa Bay’s offensive line is able to hold up against the Eagles’ defensive line. Mayfield has been a magician when it comes to avoiding sacks so far this year, but that will be difficult to replicate against such a dynamic group of pass rushers.
The Eagles are extremely dangerous on offense as well. They are loaded with playmakers, led by star receivers, A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. You can't overlook Dallas Goedert either, as he is an extremely reliable tight end, who if anything, is due to get going after a quiet start to the season. The status of Carlton Davis — who returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday — will be paramount for the Buccaneers' secondary if they hope to find success in this matchup. As well as Zyon McCollum played in Davis' absence last week, the Eagles present a completely different set of challenges than what he saw from the Bears last week.
Although it's a very small sample, the Buccaneers have looked extremely effective at defending the run so far this season. I don't believe it to be a mirage, either. Head coach and defensive play-caller, Todd Bowles, places great value on his defense being able to stop the run. That philosophy, in addition to the Buccaneers' combination of young talent, and proven experience throughout their front seven, makes the Buccaneers a group that is capable of performing as a top-tier run defense all season long.
Jalen Hurts is a dangerous weapon. But if the Bucs can limit his rushing opportunities, it automatically makes him less of a threat. And although D’Andre Swift had a breakout game last week vs. the Vikings, the Eagles' stable of running backs aren't what I consider to be elite.
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The challenge will be for the Buccaneers' to not only find ways to contain Hurts as a runner but also to pressure him as a passer. Which is no easy task when you consider the quality of the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line.
Philly has three All-Pro caliber linemen in left tackle, Jordan Mailata, center, Jason Kelce, and right tackle, Lane Johnson. Those established players are sandwiched between some very capable young guards, in Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens.
The expected absence of Calijah Kancey in this game really hurts. The Buccaneers would greatly benefit from his explosive athleticism next to a certified game wrecker like Vita Vea, who's been wreaking havoc through the first two weeks of the season.
I don't expect the Buccaneers' defense to sack Jalen Hurts six times as they did Bears' quarterback, Justin Fields, in Week 2. But if they want to keep this game close — which obviously they do — they're going to need to find ways to generate pressure on the Eagles' quarterback.
If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are able to keep Jalen Hurts in the pocket on defense and unleash an aggressive passing attack on offense, they'll have a chance to secure a valuable home victory on Monday Night Football vs. the Philadelphia Eagles and remain undefeated three weeks into the regular season.
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