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Eagles Elimination Showdown: Buccaneers Secure Victory in Dominant Fashion: 10 Key Takeaways
The Eagles’ 2023 season concluded with a disappointing loss to the Bucs in the Super Wild Card Playoff. Philadelphia struggled in their last seven games, raising many questions for the offseason.
Despite missing wide receiver A.J. Brown, the offense managed only one touchdown drive with two notable plays. The defense had significant vulnerabilities, especially in the passing game, as safeties Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown were absent.
The season’s end was disheartening, and here are a few key takeaways:
1. In the third quarter, a two-possession sequence widened Tampa Bay’s lead from 16-9 to 25-9. Both the offense and defense were at fault. Quarterback Jalen Hurts faced constant pressure from Tampa Bay’s blitz, resulting in an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone for a safety. The defense then allowed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Trey Palmer, who broke free from a tackle attempt and sprinted to the end zone.
2. Philadelphia’s offense struggled throughout the game, managing only 11 first downs, going 0-for-7 on third downs, and accumulating just 36 rushing yards on 12 carries. This was a stark contrast to their Week 3 victory, where they amassed 201 rushing yards and nearly 500 total yards against the same defense. The Eagles couldn’t find answers against Tampa Bay’s aggressive blitzing and failed to sustain any significant offense. They went 0-for-9 on third downs in the game.
3. Gaining significant yardage is crucial for scoring in this league, and the Eagles’ offense managed to break free from their early-game struggles on Monday night by targeting wide receiver DeVonta Smith deep down the left slot. Smith made a 55-yard reception before being brought down at the Tampa Bay 5-yard line.
On the very next play, quarterback Hurts found tight end Dallas Goedert for an effortless touchdown pass. Goedert had shifted from left to right across the formation and was wide open when the ball was snapped. This touchdown allowed the Eagles to narrow the gap, with the score now 16-9 in favor of Tampa Bay.Initially, Philadelphia successfully converted the point-after kick, but due to an offsides penalty against Tampa Bay, they decided to go for a two-point conversion from the 1-yard line. Surprisingly, the Buccaneers managed to stop the Eagles’ attempt, resulting in the score remaining 16-9 as the second quarter drew to a close.
4. Tampa Bay had a strong start, scoring on their first four possessions. They managed to achieve a good balance between running plays and passing plays. With 15 running plays for 68 yards and Mayfield completing 10 of 20 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown, the Bucs showcased their offensive prowess. The Eagles did manage to make some stops, but not before Tampa Bay had already caused damage. The Bucs had successful drives, accumulating points with each one.
Their first drive consisted of 12 plays and 65 yards, resulting in 3 points. The second drive was even more impressive, with four plays and 69 yards leading to a touchdown.The third drive consisted of 10 plays and 40 yards, resulting in another 3 points. Finally, the fourth drive saw 13 plays and 45 yards, adding another 3 points to Tampa Bay’s score. With just under 6 minutes remaining in the first half, Tampa Bay was leading 16-3. However, the Bucs could have had an even more significant lead if they hadn’t dropped 6 passes in the first half.
5. David Moore, the wide receiver for the Tampa Bay team, was a player of interest during the pregame scouting of the Bucs. He showcased his skills in the seven games he played during the season after being promoted from the practice squad, recording 5 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.
With a career spanning since 2017, Moore had accumulated 83 receptions in 57 career games prior to Monday night. However, despite his previous statistics, he surprised everyone by making a significant impact in the first quarter. Moore caught a pass, evaded tackles, and sprinted towards the end zone, completing a remarkable 44-yard scoring play. This impressive performance occurred when he swiftly maneuvered through the middle of the field on a crossing route, taking advantage of a collision between Eli Ricks and Avonte Maddox. As a result, Tampa Bay took a commanding 10-0 lead after the successful PAT.
6. The Eagles had hoped to begin the game with a strong start, aiming to make a statement after a series of losses. However, their desired outcome did not materialize. In the opening quarter alone, on three separate drives (with Tampa Bay possessing the ball and being in Eagles territory at the start of the second quarter), Moore managed to secure 2 catches for 66 yards.
On the other hand, Mayfield successfully passed for 137 yards in the first quarter, while Tampa Bay achieved 10 first downs, converted 2 out of 3 third downs, and accumulated a total of 178 net yards. In contrast, the Eagles’ offense struggled, only managing to secure one first down and accumulate a mere 26 net yards.
7. The Eagles had two instances where they nullified points and aimed for additional scoring opportunities. In the first half, their two-point conversion was unsuccessful. Later in the fourth quarter, while trailing 25-9, Jake Elliott successfully kicked a field goal, but the Bucs were penalized for being offsides on fourth and 10. Despite this, Nick Sirianni decided to keep the offense on the field for a fourth-and-5 play. Unfortunately, Jalen Hurts’ pass to Devonta Smith in the right corner of the end zone was disrupted by Carlton Davis, resulting in a failed fourth-down attempt.
8. Baker Mayfield showcased his exceptional skills by throwing for an impressive 337 yards and securing 3 touchdowns. His passes, averaging an outstanding 9.4 yards per attempt, predominantly found success in the middle of the field. The Eagles, unfortunately, struggled with missed tackles, a recurring issue towards the end of the season. Furthermore, the defense allowed Tampa Bay to accumulate 119 rushing yards. Tampa Bay capitalized on their offensive opportunities, scoring on 6 out of their first 9 possessions, ultimately establishing a commanding 32-9 lead.
9. In his last game of the season, Jalen Hurts faced relentless pressure from the blitz and noticeably felt the absence of A.J. Brown. Despite the challenges, he displayed his skills by completing 25 out of 35 passes for 250 yards and securing one touchdown. Additionally, he made a single run for 5 yards. Throughout the season, opposing teams effectively contained his ground game and consistently applied pressure through blitzes. Unfortunately, the Eagles’ running game regressed significantly throughout the season, and Monday night’s performance was no different, with the offense only managing to gain 41 yards on 15 carries.
10. DeVonta Smith showcased his exceptional skills once again, recording an impressive performance with 8 receptions for 148 yards on 12 targets. However, in order for teams to thrive offensively, it is crucial to have multiple weapons at their disposal. Unfortunately, Goedert only managed to secure 4 receptions, resulting in a lack of offensive firepower for the Eagles throughout the entire game, as they found themselves trailing right from the beginning.
