Tampa Bay Buccaneers Playoff Opponent Revealed for Wildcard Playoff Game
Leading up to the final week of the NFL regular season, a wide variety of different playoff scenarios existed. Now, with all but one of those Week 18 games having concluded, the playoff table is almost completely set.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their opponent was confirmed when the Dallas Cowboys handled the Washington Commanders, while at the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles got embarrassed by the New York Giants.
It's now official. The Buccaneers will host the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wildcard Playoff Round set to kick off next weekend.
On the surface, this matchup looks like it's between two teams heading in completely opposite directions.
The Philadelphia Eagles — coming off a thrilling Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last year — started this season 10-1. But boy oh boy can thinks change in a hurry in this league. Despite their early season success, which included a dominating victory over the Buccaneers in Week 3, the Eagles proceeded to lose five out of their final six games to finish the regular season with an 11-7 record.
As a result, Philly squandered their opportunity to win the NFC East Division, and now have to hit the road and travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium during Wildcard Weekend.
The NFC South Division Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the other hand, got better as the season went along.
Despite a rough stretch in the middle of the season, and in a fashion that is polar opposite to that of the Eagles, the Buccaneers managed to win five out of their last six games.
However, the Buccaneers didn't exactly leap, skip, or jump their way into the postseason with conviction. Despite going 1-1 in their final two contests of the regular season, the Bucs struggled mightily — especially on offense — as they limped their way into the playoffs.
Led by a hobbled Baker Mayfield, the Bucs were unable to score a touchdown against a 2-15 Carolina Panthers team. And to make matters worse, they didn't fare much better during their loss to the Saints the week before.
But if the Buccaneers are limping their way' into the postseason, then it feels like the Eagles are crawling.
A couple injuries popped up for both the Bucs and Eagles during their Week 18 games on Sunday. And with a week to sort that out, it's hard to project which players will (and won't) be available come next weekend's game for either team.
But based on how both teams are trending, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be expected to put up a better fight than they did in Week 3 when the Eagles defeated the Buccaneers 25-11 at Raymond James Stadium.
The dates/times of all playoff games will be released at some time on Sunday evening following the conclusion of the Bills-Dolphins game on Sunday Night Football.
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