Just six weeks ago, the expectations for the Philadelphia Eagles were securing the number one seed in the NFC. But in the past six weeks, the Eagles lost five of those six games, and there’s a lot at stake for an organization that was expecting not to play this weekend. The morale around the fan base and the expectations for the Eagles have plummeted. For many of the followers of the Eagles, it feels as if the season is already over, but this is the chance for the Eagles to rectify the last month by getting a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The one element that will decide this wild card game is whether the Eagles can finally dominate on the ground again.
2024 Eagles vs. Buccaneers Playoff Preview
Eagles Won the Previous Meeting on the Ground
The Eagles and Buccaneers met up earlier this year in week 3 where the Eagles won 25-11. It was a tough game where the Eagles got the edge through a 160-yard rushing night from D’andre Swift. Since then, the Eagles haven’t been committed enough to the running game and allowed their offensive line to take over. A lot of their struggles have come from not being patient with the running game and trying to force the ball deep. Against the Buccaneers and Todd Bowles, expect them to be all over the Eagles scheme and what they want to do through the air.
Another massive reason the Eagles need to be committed to the run this week is the injuries they are currently dealing with. Not only did Jalen Hurts suffer a finger injury last week, but receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith are both listed as questionable for the game on Monday night. The Eagles need to depend on the run in this game, even if Brown and Smith both play. It’s not like the passing game was firing on all cylinders when all three were healthy. Yet, this could be a good thing that allows the best part of this Eagles roster, the offensive line, to become the stars of the show again with a hopefully healthy D’andre Swift.
The Problem is the Buccaneers Can Defend the Run
The Buccaneers finished the regular season ranked fifth in the least rushing yards allowed per game in the league. They boast players like Vita Vea, rookie edge rusher Yaya Diaby, and two awesome linebackers in Lavonte David and Devin White in their front seven. It would be hard sledding for most teams in the NFL to attack them on the ground, but the Eagles still have the players to do it. At this point, it’s the only way the Eagles can effectively attack this defense due to the injuries.
If the Eagles can force the defense to put more players and reinforcements to stop the run, it can open a porous Buccaneers secondary and be the leveling factor in a matchup the Eagles are severely banged up in. If the Buccaneers don’t have to put in extra bodies to stop the run, the Eagles offense will be stagnant. They are going against a well-coached defense that will have a handle on what they like to do, and that’s been a common theme as of late for the Eagles. The game must go through their offensive line, and they need to be the dominant force we’ve seen many times before.
The Bottom Line: Eagles vs Buccaneers Playoff Preview
Eagles win 20-16
The good news for the Eagles is that the Buccaneers haven’t been playing good football either going into this matchup. The Bucs barely beat the Carolina Panthers last week and got blown out by the New Orleans Saints the week before. Their offense has hit a major bump in the road, and it will most likely contribute to an ugly, relatively low-scoring game against the Eagles. The Eagles secondary is still an issue, but there are just as many questions as to whether the Buccaneers can consistently exploit it like other teams.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but with how this is being built out to be head coach Nick Sirianni’s last stand, the Eagles may come out with some energy we haven’t seen from them in a while. It might end up being a blessing in disguise if the Eagles were to turn to their run game. It’s the best unit on their team and they haven’t been leaning on them enough this year. This is a game that truly could go either way, if the Buccaneers offense finds a good rhythm the Eagles would probably lose a shootout. However, take the Eagles vs Buccaneers here as the Eagles will control the ball, preventing the Buccaneers offense from finding that rhythm.
Main Photo: Kevin R. Wexler-USA TODAY NETWORK
