This Sunday the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams will enter this game with an undefeated record in a game that very well may end up being a preview of this year’s NFC championship game. This is a clash of titans as both teams are on the short list of contenders.
In a game like this, there will be lots of smaller battles within the overall game. Good on good and Pro Bowler vs Pro Bowler. Letting the stars of the NFL face off against each other in an attempt to give their team an edge.
To me, there is one specific matchup that will determine this game. Not just between individual players, but between full position groups. X marks the spot! Here is my week four X-Factor matchup.
Buccaneers Pass Catchers vs Eagles Secondary
The Eagles have a very good secondary. Last year rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell broke out as one of the most impressive young corners in the league. Cooper DeJean also broke out in his rookie year as a nickel and safety. Now they have added an impressive new rookie safety Andrew Mukuba.
This is a very impressive young group of defensive backs. Supplemented with some veterans like Adoree Jackson and Reed Blankenship, it makes for a dangerous secondary. Not an easy matchup for any group of pass catchers, let alone one who is missing their star wide receiver.Â
The Bucs will be without Mike Evans this game as he heals from a hamstring injury. And even with the potential of Chris Godwin returning from a near year long injury, it will still put a lot of pressure on the rest of the Buccaneers playmakers. Everyone else will need to step up in this game.
The spotlight will be on Bucs star rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka. With Evans out and Godwin not up to full speed yet, Egbuka will be the focal point of the offense for the first time in his young career. This will not be an easy matchup for him to become the Bucs number one wide receiver.Â
Godwin returning might take some pressure off, but again, he is not at full strength. However, if Godwin matches up against the Eagles second corner he can make his mark felt. Even better, if he draws coverage from Mitchell he can occupy their best corner and work as a decoy.Â
The support players will also be important in this game. Sterling Shepherd will be more involved after getting off to a hot start this year. He might have his hands full with DeJean while working out of the slot.
This leaves Cade Otton as the Bucs big weapon who needs to make an impact. If he is matched up against a safety, then that needs to be an advantage for the Bucs. If this swings in favor of Mukuba or Blankenship then that could be the difference in winning and losing this game.
This might not be the heavyweight matchup of super stars, but just because these aren’t household names doesn’t mean they aren’t impactful players. They are the next wave of stars and in this game their time is now.
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