Through The Spyglass: Buccaneers vs. Eagles Wildcard Matchup
The playoffs are here and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football during Super Wild Card Weekend. The two teams have plenty of history together stemming all the way back to the early 2000's but much more recently as well.
The squads met each other earlier in the season in a Week 3 clash that ultimately fell the Eagles' way. Though the Bucs kept it competitive until halftime, Philly pulled away to win the game 25-11. Linebacker Devin White vowed that the two teams would meet again in the playoffs and a late-season collapse from the Eagles helped to make it happen.
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 two teams played each other in the WIldcard round of the 2021 playoffs with the Bucs securing a 31-15 victory. More recently they clashed in Week 3 of this season with the Eagles coming up victorious in a 25-11 win. The all-time series is tied at 11 wins a piece.
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.
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.
Hurts is battling through a finger injury, but 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 DeVonta Smith
Smith can beat you with his incredible speed, change of direction, and separation. He can line up all over the field and his strong hands allow him to make difficult catches other receivers might not be able to bring down. Smith posted his second straight 1,000-yard season in 2023.
With A.J. Brown sidelined due to injury, the pressure will be on Smith to make plays for the Eagles.
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
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. 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 had 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles 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
Everything's on the line this week with a chance to advance to the Divisional round. Philly is banged up right now with starting quarterback Jalen Hurts dealing with an injury to his throwing finger and A.J. Brown sidelined with a knee injury. The Eagles lost safety Sydney Brown for the season and safety Reed Blankenship hasn't practiced, dealing with a groin injury. On the bright side, it looks like Devonta Brown will be good to go with his ankle injury.
The Bucs are relatively healthy and are going to have to give everything they've got to pull off the home upset. It's time to empty the reserves for a chance to keep their playoff hope alive and advance to the next round.
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.
