NFL Playoffs: Key Takeaways from Buccaneers’ Win Over Eagles on Super Wild Card Weekend
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a significant victory against the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 32-9 in the playoffs. This win ensures that a new team from the NFC will advance to the Super Bowl. Notably, Baker Mayfield had an impressive performance, throwing for over 300 yards, a feat previously achieved only three times by Tom Brady in Buccaneers’ playoff history. Mayfield’s contribution played a crucial role in the team’s success.
The Eagles team that failed to show up in their recent playoff game looked nothing like the team we knew. They no longer dominate the lines of scrimmage, rely on their powerful running game, or effectively pressure quarterbacks, cover, and tackle opposing receivers.
Here are some potential top storylines for Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
In third playoff game and first with the Bucs, quarterback Baker Mayfield had a strong performance, throwing three impressive touchdowns. The Bucs’ defense also played well, securing a safety in the third quarter. This matchup was a redo from Week 3, where the Eagles defeated the Bucs. However, this time, the Bucs performed strongly on both offense and defense.
Despite dealing with injuries, Mayfield threw for 337 yards without any mistakes. The defense did a commendable job, sacking the Eagles’ quarterback three times and limiting their running game.
A positive aspect for the Bucs was their defense making it challenging for the Eagles to get first downs. The Eagles struggled to convert on both third and fourth downs, and the Bucs even stopped a 2-point conversion attempt after a touchdown.
Wide receiver David Moore had a standout performance, catching a 44-yard touchdown pass and making a significant contribution to the team.
However, there was a slight issue for the Bucs on offense, as they experienced some dropped passes. In the first half alone, they missed six catches, which is an area they’ll want to improve on in the next game.
Here are some potential top storylines for Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ season came to an end with a challenging loss to the Bucs in the playoffs. Now, they have to figure out how to improve for the future. They faced issues like not tackling well, weak defense, and struggling to score.
Despite starting strong at 10-1, the team went on to lose six out of seven games. Jeffrey Lurie, the team’s boss, must now decide if there were internal problems and if the coach, Nick Sirianni, and the quarterback, Jalen Hurts, are the right choices for the team.
A significant moment in the game was when Jalen Hurts got a penalty for throwing the ball away in the end zone, giving the Bucs more points. The Eagles also didn’t run the ball enough, even though they emphasized its importance.
However, there was some positive news. DeVonta Smith performed exceptionally well, becoming the first Eagles player to have two impressive games in a row in the playoffs. He made a big catch that helped the Eagles score a touchdown.
Philadelphia Eagles lost their identity. They forgot who they were.
They lost their identity, and now their fall is complete. A year after being close to winning a championship, they suffered a humiliating 32-9 defeat to the Bucs in Tampa. This marks their sixth loss in seven games since the beginning of December, a surprising and unexpected downward spiral.
Key game stats: Jalen Hurts encountered 13 quick pressures in Monday night’s defeat, marking the highest count in his career, playoffs included.
Noteworthy NFL Research finding: Baker Mayfield achieved a significant milestone, becoming the inaugural Buccaneers quarterback to record 300-plus passing yards and three or more passing touchdowns in a playoff game.