Eagles – Buccaneers (22-28): Tampa Bay was too strong

Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1): 22-28

Despite a late awakening from the Eagles, the Buccaneers dominated this game, both on the ground and in the air. Tom Brady (34/42, 297 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) seems more immortal than ever, while Leonard Fournette (127 yards, 2 TD) managed one of the best matches of his career under the colors of Tampa Bay. Aside from two big interferences, the defense also got the job done.

Big time throw from @TomBrady. #GoBucs

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Opposite Jalen Hurts (12/26, 115 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 44 yards on the ground, 2 TD on the ground) made an average game and never seemed able to tell the difference, not helped by a Nick Sirianni once again overwhelmed. The defense seemed to suffer on each action, and more than ever the weaknesses of this workforce are present.

With this victory Tampa is more racing than ever in the NFC, while Philly seems to be heading for a long season.

An offensive start to the match

The Eagles’ defense has a specialty: being strong against the weak and weak against the strong. And Tampa Bay is very strong. Tom Brady distributes from the first drive, he finds four different targets including OJ Howard (4ç yards, 1 TD) for the touchdown after a play action model (0-7).

The Eagles respond quickly, in a drive much less surgical but just as effective. Jalen Hurts passes twice on 3rd attempt, well helped by Quez Watkins (44 yards), before Jamel Dean does interference from 45 yards to provide a big gain to the Eagles. Zach Ertz (29 yards, 1 TD) finishes the job, and Philadelphia picks up (7-7).

Not enough to worry Tom Brady, who also receives the help of his ground game by Leonard Fournette. Defense in the zone does not worry Brady, who finds Antonio Brown (93 yards, 1 TD) to regain the lead with a touchdown (7-14).

The rhythm calms down, and the attacks multiply the approximations. Jalen Hurts in particular throws an interception in the arms of Jamel Dean, on a throw under dosed and on the inside shoulder of the receiver, an error which is difficult to accept. Tampa Bay did not let the opportunity pass and the inevitable Fournette scored a touchdown just before halftime (7-21).

237 yards against 73, Tampa Bay is in control and the interception conceded by Brady at the end of the first act will have no other consequences than to give Anthony Harris a line of statistics.

The buccaneers in control

The beginning of the second act is like the first: domination of Tampa on the ground, and crumbly defense of the Eagles. Fournette has fun, and the touchdown in a one-sided match (7-28). This will at least have the merit of waking up the Eagles who, taking advantage of a new interference, advance and convert to the ground on a touchdown from Jalen Hurts (14-28). It’s sluggish but the Eagles regain (a little) hope.

The Eagles even have the opportunity to come back closer, but the field goal of Jake Elliott passes to the right after a good effort of the receivers on the drive, in particular Devonta Smith and Quez Watkins. It is only a postponement and Jalen Hurts marks a new touchdown in the race after a superb drive from Miles Sanders (66 yards) on the ground (22-28).

But in great moments the great players make the difference. Tom Brady finds Antonio Brown in the third attempt to seal the fate of this match. Checkmate.