After starting off the season 1-0 with a win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Philadelphia Eagles now face a new opponent. This week it is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are also 1-0 after their surprising defeat of the New Orleans. Tampa is still without starting quarterback Jameis Winston who is still serving a three-game suspension. However, that didn’t matter last week as the Buccaneers stacked up 48 points on the Saints in New Orleans.
Also, something to remember is that this game is the DeSean Jackson/Vinny Curry revenge game. Don’t be surprised if Jackson plays especially well as he usually does against the Eagles. Especially because he will likely be covered by the slower Jalen Mills, who is especially susceptible to deep plays.
Last game Ryan Fitzpatrick was 21 of 28 for 417 and four touchdowns. That is impressive for any quarterback let alone a career journeyman like Fitzpatrick. However, Fitzpatrick is known to be a risk taker at quarterback and is prone to committing turnovers. In addition, Fitzpatrick struggles when put under pressure. The Eagles have the best defensive line in the league and as a result, expect Fitzpatrick to throw a couple of interceptions and fumble once as well.
Eagles’ Sidney Jones, Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, and Ronald Darby (left to right). Image from Associated Press.
The Tampa Bay offensive line was not good last year and I refuse to believe they are improved based off of just one game against New Orleans. Regardless of how good they are, they will not be able to handle Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and the rest of the Eagles’ defensive line rotation. The Buccaneers will not be able to run the ball. As a result, they will have to rely on the pass. This allows the Eagles pass rushers to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback. The Buccaneers will struggle to deal with Philadelphia’s pressure and won’t be able to make adjustments as effectively when they are limited at quarterback.
In addition, Philadelphia has an overall talent edge which should win out over the Buccaneers in one on one situations. Really for the Eagles, the onus is going to be on the cornerbacks. They need to win their matchups and at least contain Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and Chris Godwin. The Eagles defense as a whole depends on the players in the secondary winning 50/50 balls and making tackles. If they do that, Philadelphia should win soundly.
Nick Foles and Doug Pederson. Photo from USA Today.
The Eagles saw all they needed to see from Ajayi in the second half last week. He is a full go to be the featured back in the Philadelphia offense. Against the Buccaneers the Eagles will attempt to establish a consistent run game. Philadelphia’s offensive line happens to be one of, if not, the best in football. They will open up large holes for Ajayi to run through and the Eagles will coast to a win by running the ball effectively and playing good defense. Ajayi will rack up over 100 rushing yards and over 125 yards from scrimmage. This way the pressure of the game doesn’t fall onto the shoulders of backup quarterback Nick Foles.
Score prediction: Eagles 31-17
Extra Bold Prediction: DeSean Jackson scores a touchdown of 40+ yards
Featured image from Associated Press
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