In a thrilling game at Raymond James Stadium, the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a score of 31-25, maintaining their undefeated record at 4-0. The match unfolded under the challenging Sunshine State heat, echoing a theme of unexpected turns for the Eagles, reminiscent of their prior week’s dramatic comeback against the Los Angeles Rams.
The first half showcased a dominant Eagles performance, capped with an 18-point lead at halftime. A pivotal moment came with a remarkable blocked punt that was scooped up by Sydney Brown and returned for a touchdown, setting the tone for a seemingly easy victory. However, the second half told a different story as the Eagles’ offense stagnated, recording a staggering minus-1 yard in total offense, allowing Tampa to close the gap and pose a late-game challenge.
Philadelphia’s victory marks an impressive 20 wins in their last 21 games played against the Buccaneers, a streak that highlights their consistent dominance in recent meetings.
Weekly Stock Market Update for the Eagles:
THE BULLS:
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Cooper DeJean’s Tackling: The young linebacker stood out, leading the team with nine tackles. DeJean’s tackling proficiency is notable, providing a stark contrast to the average performance across the league, as he consistently secures ball carriers effectively in open space.
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Cameron Latu: Transitioning from tight end to fullback, Latu’s impact was felt both on special teams and offense. His blocked punt early in the game was crucial, and his lead block on Dallas Goedert’s touchdown reception reinforced his value to the team.
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PD Q: Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell made the most of his matchup against Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. The decision by Mayfield to target Mitchell proved costly, as the corner notched a career-high five passes defended, showcasing his ascent to one of the top cover corners in the NFL.
THE BEARS:
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Playing 60 Minutes of Football: Despite their success, the Eagles still grapple with maintaining performance throughout an entire game. Jalen Hurts exemplified this inconsistency; he completed an impressive 15 of 16 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, only to falter in the second, finishing without a completion on eight attempts. His regression mirrored struggles he had against Tampa Bay’s defense in previous seasons.
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Splash Running Plays: Saquon Barkley’s performance was underwhelming, rushing 19 times for just 43 yards. A notable moment in his game came with a touchdown from six yards out, employing a variant of the “Tush Push” play. Overall, the slow start for Barkley raises concerns about his ability to produce big plays, a trend that has persisted through the first quarter of the season.
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Downfield Passing: The Eagles’ passing attack failed to evolve from their performance against the Rams. Star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith struggled to get involved, combining for only four receptions. Brown, in particular, had two receptions on nine targets and subsequently declined media interviews, hinting at his dissatisfaction with the team’s passing strategy.
As the Eagles look ahead, they will need to address these inconsistencies to maintain their winning momentum and further establish themselves as contenders in the league.
