When the Philadelphia Eagles travel anywhere in the NFL, the fans will follow. This was proven on Sunday, when the Eagles flew down to Tampa to play the 3-0 Buccaneers. This quarterback matchup of two Oklahoma alumni had fans waiting for kickoff the entire week. When the clock struck 1:00 PM, the game was underway.
The game started with Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield throwing an 8 yard pass to WR Tez Johnson. After being unable to get five yards on a 3rd and 5, the Bucs chose to attempt a punt. As Tampa Bay Punter Riley Dixon kicked the ball, it was blocked, reminiscent of how Philadelphia won their most recent game against the LA Rams. Eagles Safety Sydney Brown gained possession of the ball, and took it into the endzone for a 35-yard touchdown, and the second consecutive special teams touchdown for the Eagles. Following a successful PAT made by Jake Elliott, the score was now 7-0.
After getting the ball back after the punt snafu, the Bucs were looking for another chance at scoring. This wouldn’t happen, as the Eagles defense held them from a first down, and Dixon came on the field to punt the ball away, this time without it being blocked.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts started on his own 27 yard line, and was efficient on this drive. Hurts and the Eagles offense only needed nine plays to score. Hurts had a 29-yard scramble to end up at the 2-yard line, and with an easy pass to Dallas Goedert, and a PAT made by Elliott, the Eagles were now up 14-0.
The next drive for the home team was a battle. Close yardage, penalties, and the clock ticking. At the end of the first quarter, Tampa kicker Chase McLaughlin nailed a 42-yard field goal to make the score 14-3. After a short break in the game, the second quarter of the game is now starting.
Hurts and the Eagles offense come off of the bench, usually in direct Florida sunlight, however the Eagles hired extra staff just to hold big blocks of shade over the bench for the duration of the game. Another short drive for the Eagles, ending with another Dallas Goedert TD, and a PAT by Jake Elliott, made the score 21-3. After this, the Bucs couldn’t get past mid-field, as they were forced to yet again punt. With this drive, the Eagles showed signs of their first struggle all game. A preposterous call by Eagles OC Kevin Patullo on 3rd and 11 to run the ball left the Eagles with only one option, and that was to settle for a field goal. Jake Elliott nailed a 39-yarder, and the Eagles were up 24-3.
The Bucs have the ball with less than a minute left in the first half. They can’t advance quickly, and are on the fringes of the 50-yard line. With time running out, the only option is for a 65 yard field goal, which would be the second longest field goal in NFL history if made. Chase McLaughlin nailed it. That kick is now the longest field goal made in an outdoor stadium. The score is 24-6 at halftime.
The Eagles had a sluggish start to the half. Jalen Hurts gets sacked for a loss of nine yards, and the Eagles can’t get back to the first down line. A punt can change the way this game goes. The Bucs fail to capitalize with their offense, and a turnover on downs puts the ball back in the hands of the Eagles. And… another punt. On their first play on the next drive, the Bucs finally get going. Baker Mayfield launches a pass to WR Emeka Egbuka, for a 77-yard touchdown. The score is now 24-13. The Eagles… punt again. The Bucs get the ball back, and they fumble. The Eagles have the ball again, and they don’t disappoint. A successful drive is capped off by a fake “tush push” play, the offense lines up for a “brotherly shove”, and Saquon Barkley rolls out, and practically walks into the endzone for a touchdown, his third on the year. The score is now 31-13, following a PAT by Jake Elliott. Tampa needs a score on this drive. Baker Mayfield delivers. He throws a 72-yard dime of a touchdown to Bucky Irving. The score is now 31-20.
To start the fourth quarter, the Eagles punt… again. Luckily for them, they hold the Bucs to a Field Goal, the score is now 31-23. The Eagles punt… again again. The Bucs now get to the redzone, the game could be theirs… INTERCEPTION. Jihaad Campbell, the rookie gets his first interception, in the endzone, and now the Eagles have the ball. However, the Eagles punt, again again again. The Bucs get a turnover on downs, and with less than a minute left, the Eagles have the ball. They choose to play it out, and have six seconds on their fourth down, they choose to just run through their endzone for a safety, final score, 31-25.
After the game, Eagles HC Nick Sirianni spoke about the inconsistency of the team between the first and second halves of the game. He said “We were really successful in the first half, played a really good first half, and we weren’t as successful [in] the second half… We had some plays that moved backwards, right, for different reasons.”
The Eagles improved to 4-0 on the season, and lead the NFC East. The Buffalo Bills are the only other team that is still undefeated past Week 4.
The Eagles will return home to play the 2-2 Denver Broncos on Sunday, October 5th at 1:00 PM on CBS. Yet again, the Eagles will battle to stay undefeated against a playoff-worthy team. Can they continue their dynasty in the making?
