Both fighters are battered, but still standing.
If Buccaneers and Eagles weren’t both so injured, I think this would look pretty close to what the NFC Championship game, if I may be so bold. Unfortunately for Philly and Tampa, they’re missing so many pieces that the rosters should look so different come playoff time. The reason I think both these teams have a pretty good chance of making it this far is they have played similar, gritty tough football. Neither team have looked good in victory, but they are both undefeated. I also think they have similar problems with offensive consistency, due to a combination of new play callers and injury.
For the Bucs, they are receiving a huge boost in that Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs are returning. I was an advocate of playing Wirfs at RT so that we could have Barton and Wirfs as the tackle duo. However, as someone pointed out to me, the strength of Philly’s d-line is the interior. The Bucs need their A-game facing Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter in the middle. Especially since Nolan Smith won’t be playing. So I think ultimately we will see Wirfs back at LT and Barton at center to shore up the interior. Hopefully that will lead to more success from Bucky, who has had a slow start.
As for the return of Godwin, I am curious how he will look and how many snaps he will play. You would assume he will be taking over as WR1, but Emeka has been playing so well I’m really not sure. You hope Godwin hits the ground running, but considering his absence from real football action, he may be slightly rusty. Either way, someone should be able to feast. The Eagles are hurting at corner opposite Quinyon Mitchell as Adoree Jackson is out. They’re already missing Jakorian Bennett, so it’ll probably be Kelee Ringo.
As for the defense, it’s about stopping the run. Philly wants to get it going with Hurts and Saquon so they get favorable matchups for AJ Brown and co. The run defense has been very stout, but as I mentioned in my defense article, Saquon will be the biggest challenge all season as he is arguably the best RB in the NFL. Sirvocea Dennis hopefully won’t let up big completions, but he probably will. I do feel comfortable with Dean on Brown, but this will be the first time the Bucs will face the Eagles with Brown on the field (as Eagles fans constantly point out).
Hurts for whatever reason always seems to do bad against Todd Bowles, but the Bucs still have an uphill battle. Considering the injuries they are facing, it seems far-fetched. The saving grace here is that the Eagles are equally battered. And the Bucs are receiving reinforcements. I assume most people won’t be picking the Bucs to win, but if the offense stays clean and defense plays at the level it has all season, they can get a much needed win for playoff hopes. Oh and if special teams doesn’t shit the bed.
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