Eagles Never Trail in Convincing Win vs. Bucs, Move to 3-0
So much for a sluggish start to the season. Regardless of how they've done it, the Philadelphia Eagles are 3-0, and their latest win is arguably their best early in the 2023 campaign.
The Eagles dominated in nearly every statistical category and never trailed en route to a 25-11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Monday night.
Philly was hardly perfect on offense, but D'Andre Swift and A.J. Brown were the difference makers that helped complement the Eagles' defense, which had a dominating performance.
Brown finished with nine catches for 131 yards. Swift had a big game for a second straight week, as he finished with 16 carries for 130 yards in a clear lead-back role.
"It's great," Swift said of running behind the Eagles' offensive line. "... they make it easy. Just going through my keys pre-snap and then trusting my eyes -- they make it easy."
The Eagles out-gained the Bucs 472-172 on offense, converted 10 of 16 on third down and easily won time of possession. If the final score doesn't show how lopsided the game truly was, then the stats certainly do.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) defends during the first half at Raymond James Stadium.
© Kim Klement Neitzel, USA TODAY
Quarterback Jalen Hurts tossed two interceptions, but it was his 34-yard touchdown pass to receiver Olamide Zaccheaus at the end of the second quarter that gave the Eagles a 10-3 lead. They didn't look back from there, as it was Hurts' one-yard rushing touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter that put the game a bit out of reach at 20-3. He finished the game 23 of 37 passing for 277 yards, one touchdown and the two picks. He added 10 carries for 28 yards and the score.
The Bucs cut it to a two-possession game in the fourth quarter with their first touchdown of the night. Baker Mayfield found Mike Evans for a one-yard touchdown and converted an ensuing two-point conversion to Chris Godwin.
Tampa Bay had a chance to make things interesting late in the game after forcing Philly into a 3rd and 13 with five minutes left. But Hurts found Brown for a 25-yard back-breaking gain, which essentially sealed the win.
The Eagles will look to remain undefeated in Sunday's meeting with the Washington Commanders at home.
