On Sunday the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams enter this game 3-0, so it should make for a very exciting game. Dare I say, this could even be a preview of this year’s NFC championship game.
The Bucs have fared well against the Eagles in recent years. However, if they want that to continue they will have to bring their “A game”. I break down what they have to do in this week’s Skeleton Keys To Victory.
Need to 86 number 26.
The key to the Eagles success last year was their incredible rushing attack. Running back Saquon Barkley ran for over 2,000 yards on his way to being named offensive player of the year. He was the focal point of their offense and thus needs to be the focal point for the Bucs defense as well.
So far this year, other teams have been able to key in on Barkley and limit his effectiveness. He has 194 rushing yards through three games with just a 3.3 yards per carry average. This type of drop off is common after a player leads the league in rush attempts the way Barkley did last year.
Whether it be a drop off or just good defense, the Bucs need to continue to keep Barley in check. He is the Eagles most dangerous weapon, but I believe the Bucs sixth ranked rushing defense is up to the task.
Make Hurts Hurt!
Todd Bowles has been around a long time and has a strong track record of making life difficult for quarterbacks. That is especially true of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Entering this game, Hurts is 1-4 against the Bucs, including 0-2 in playoff games.
Part of Bowles’ key to success has been bailing up pressure on Hurts. On average, the Buccaneers have sacked the young quarterback three times per game. This has also led to him averaging one thrown interception per game.
I expect that to be the case this week as well. Speeding up the clock of Hurts has proven to be very effective. With no running game and an ineffective quarterback, it should make for a very long day for this Eagles offense.
Offensive Line Shuffle
Last week the Buccaneers didn’t have a single starter on their offensive line who was playing in their normal position. With Tristian Wirfs, Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch injured and Graham Barton kicking out to left tackle from center and Ben Bredeson shifting from left guard to center, it was very much a makeshift group. At this point, we don’t know what the o-line will look like this week.
That might be a good thing. Wirfs, the Bucs super star left tackle, has fully returned to practice and could play for the first time this year. This in turn could move Barton and Bredeson back to their normal positions. Half a starting offensive line would be a massive upgrade to what they had last week.
The key to this would be Barton and Bredeson back on the interior. The Eagles have very good defensive tackles, so getting the starting center and guard back in place would be very helpful. If that is the case then the Bucs will be in a much better position to handle this Eagles defensive line.
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