Eagles vs. Buccaneers Wild Card Preview: Philly Ready to 'Freaking Fight!'
The Philadelphia Eagles travel to face the NFC South division champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Monday for the final game of the Wild Card round.
The Monday night matchup is highlighted by a reeling Eagles team led by a quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is day-to-day after suffering a dislocated middle finger on his throwing hand. His middle finger was pointed in a direction fingers aren't supposed to go.
The Eagles are free falling and hoping to land with a victory in Tampa Bay. The collapse from 10-1 to an 11-6 regular-season record is historic (worst since 1986 Jets.) Philadelphia has gone 1-5 in their last five matchups, including shocking back-to-back losses to the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants that dropped them out of the division lead.
© Bill Streicher, USA TODAY
Philadelphia looks to get after Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is having one of the best seasons in franchise history. He ranks among the top-10 quarterbacks with 4,044 passing yards (9th), 28 touchdown passes (7th), a 94.6 passer rating (10th) and 1.8 interception percentage (5th).
However, Mayfield may also be fighting through injury. The hobbling QB appeared to hurt his right ankle in the "ugly" Week 18 win over the Carolina Panthers.
This is the Eagles' third straight postseason trip. Nick Sirianni is the first head coach in franchise history to earn trips to the postseason in each of their first three years with the team.
RECORDS: Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
ODDS: Philadelphia is a 2.5-point favorite vs. the Buccaneers
GAME TIME: Monday Jan. 15th, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Raymond James Stadium - Tampa Bay, Florida
TV/RADIO: ESPN, 94WIP
THE FINAL WORD: Sirianni believes his team can turn it around:
“I know this group is fighters, I know this group will get up. … that's the reason all these guys are in that locker room because they know how to freaking fight. The coaches know how to freaking fight. The players know how to freaking fight. The staff knows how to freaking fight. So, we'll just get up and we'll fight again.”
