Introduction
This post will be summarizing the Eagles vs. Buccaneers game that happened on September 16th at 1 PM est in Tampa, Florida, it will also give my own analysis of the game and what went wrong for the Eagles, and then give some of my own thoughts on whats next for the Eagles.
Summary
The Eagles and Bucs met this past Sunday in Tampa, Florida. The game started at 1 PM est where the temperature topped off at 102 degrees. So needless to say the heat was a big factor in how the game unfolded. The Bucs got the ball first and 11 seconds into the game took a 7-0 lead from a 75 yard TD pass to DeSean Jackson by Ryan Fitzpatrick who carved the Eagles very strong defense all day. The Eagles did not have a great start to the game where the injuries started to pile on which plagued the team through all of the first half. They ended up losing Jay Ajayi because of a back injury after the very first play on offense. Next was Jason Peters who seemed to be having problems with his leg and did not return to the game. Yes and only a couple plays later it looks like the Eagles lost yet another WR in Mike Wallace for the rest of the season due to a broken fibula. The Eagles are now very thin at WR and still have a while for Alshon Jeffery and Mack Hollins to return from the injuries. The Eagles offense was slow all day until the fourth quarter where they trailed at one point 27-7. Ryan Fitzpatrick was the better QB on the day with 402 yards and 4 TDs passing. He had two 75 yard TD passes on the day and continued to use DeSean Jackson to torch our secondary. The Eagles ended up putting in a good fight in the fourth quarter but it happened too late and ended the game as a 27-21 score line for the Bucs. Bucs go 2-0 for the season as the Super Bowl Champs are 1-1 going into week 3.
Analysis- What went wrong?
Eagles are regarded to having a premier defense in the NFL and looked to come into the game this week slowing down Ryan Fitzpatrick who absolutely demolished the Saints defense a week prior. The Eagles defense though had a lousy day in the secondary where they let up two 75 TD passes due to poor coverage and just downright awful tackling and effort from DBs. Jalen Mills might be the most overrated corner back on the Eagles team. He continuously played soft throughout the day and gave up ample first downs and big gains to DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans. The Eagles front line though was great throughout the day shutting down the run game for the Bucs, but you would of hoped the secondary would’ve been able to match the effort of the defensive line in the pass game. The Eagles first offensive drive was a complete disaster losing 3 players in one drive, but luckily got Jay Ajayi back after halftime. On top of all the injuries they committed some stupid penalties and ended up putting themselves into a 3rd and 41… Yes you read that right a 3rd and 41. That ended up being the longest third down the Eagles have had to play since 1998. The Eagles had trouble once again of putting any points on the board in the first quarter. That seem to be the theme though throughout the day until the fourth quarter hit. Jake Elliot is so inconsistent it’s not even funny. The kid can hit a 61 yard field goal to win a game with all the pressure on his back but can’t make a 42 yard field goal before halftime that would’ve made the game 20-10 instead of it being 20-7. The Eagles were aggressive once again on their 4th down attempts where it ended up hurting them in the third quarter where they couldn’t convert on a 4th and 4, but the spot the refs gave was very suspect, but anyway it gave Tampa who had been hot all day on offense with their pass game with great field position where they converted into a touchdown that put the game at 27-7 and making it look pretty much over. Next thing that was pretty bad was the refs not making a call and one bad call that ended up ending the game before the two-minute warning. The first call that did not even happen was a crucial 4th and 10 with the Eagles in the Bucs side of the field where they were trying to kick start their comeback and making the game 27-21 with 8-9 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Nick Foles ended up scrambling around in the pocket and throwing the ball to Corey Clement who was running down the left sideline and stretched out to make a catch and the Bucs DB comes out of no where and goes head first into Clement and hits him in the stomach which brings up the case why was there no penalty on the play? The whole point of emphasis this year in the NFL was to protect defenseless players from players leading with their helmet. It ended up sidelining Clement with an injury. The play could’ve been a lot worse if Clement was lower to the ground where a helmet to helmet situation could’ve ensued so where is the consistency. Next penalty was called on Jalen Mills with 2:20 left in the 4th quarter on a 3rd and 5. Jalen Mills was burnt all day and got robbed on this one. The pass was completed by Mike Evans but Jalen Mills got called for a holding call while Mike Evans grabbed Mills face mask and tugged down on it to throw him off balance. So the penalty was called on the wrong person where it should’ve been illegal hands to the face and made the play a 3rd and 10 and given an Eagles another shot of making a stop and getting the ball back to make a late game winning drive push. So the Eagles lost their first game of the season down in a very hot Tampa which could’ve factored in some of the injuries they had to deal with, but they ended up making a valiant effort into make a comeback after they just looked lost all day on both the offensive side of the ball and defensive side of the ball in the secondary.
What’s next?
So the Eagles are coming back to Philadelphia where they are getting ready to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles have received great news that Carson Wentz is finally cleared for contact after his recovering from a ACL and MCL tear last December when they were in LA and will be starting on Sunday vs. the Colts. Carson though is going to need some help from offensive weapons so he doesn’t feel he needs to do everything himself and risk of exposing himself and getting injured again. The Eagles are almost out of WRs and should be looking on the hunt for either free agents or possibly through the trade market. The Eagles missed out on the troubled Josh Gordon on Monday when he was traded to the New England Patriots from the Cleveland Browns. The Eagles I think should look into maybe trading for Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders or maybe signing Jeremy Maclin from free agency to help give Wentz and option for a deep threat to open defenses up with the mix of the run game. All in all the Eagles just need to hit the reset button and not panic look for weapons to help Carson until Alshon and Mack get back. It’s better off the have a loss earlier in the season where they can work from it and learn and finish the season stronger and stronger. Just like last season the Philadelphia Eagles lost their week 2 game to the Chiefs and ended up going 13-3 the rest of the way and going to the Super Bowl and winning the first one ever in franchise history. #FlyEaglesFly
Philly Sports Moments 