The second and final prime time matchup for the Philadelphia Eagles this year, Philly will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Linc Thursday night.
While this game isn’t as pivotal to the Bucs, it’s a huge game for the Eagles. Getting the win would see the Eagles get back to .500 and insert themselves right back into the NFC playoff picture. Jalen hurts and Co. are coming off a comeback win against Carolina last week, while Tampa is fresh off a dominant performance against the Miami Dolphins.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into this Thursday night contest.
Injury Report
Eagles:
OUT: RT Lane Johnson (personal matter)
COVID List: TE Dallas Goedert, OG Sua Opeta
After suffering some major injuries early in the season, the Eagles enter this Week 6 matchup relatively healthy. Lane Johnson remains out with his personal matter, while Dallas Goedert and Sua Opeta are both on the COVID list. In order for Goedert to play, he either needs to have two negative COVID tests 24 hours apart prior to kickoff, or exhibit no COVID symptoms for 48 hours. He’ll likely be a game time decision.
Buccaneers:
OUT: TE Rob Gronkowski, LB Lavonte David, S Antoine Winfield
QUESTIONABLE: C Ryan Jensen, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DL Patrick O’Connor
The Bucs will enter this game pretty banged up, especially on defense. Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield are integral to their defense, so without them they’re certainly a weaker unit. If Jason Pierre-Paul can’t go, that’ll just be another blow to their defensive unit.
We all know who Gronk is at this point. He was having a great season prior to getting injured. He’ll miss his third straight game in this one.
Related articles to catch up on before kickoff
3 REASONS WHY GANNON’S DEFENSE WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY WELL
The Eagles defense was the reason they brought home the victory Sunday against Carolina. They held Sam Darnold and Co. to 267 total yards, 5-for-15 on third downs, and just 3.8 yards per play.
Not to mention they applied a heavy dose of pressure on the quarterback, recording three sacks. Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Derek Barnett, and Josh Sweat all recorded at least five pressures on the day. It was the best game for this defensive line all season, and it led to a few turnover opportunities where the secondary capitalized. Darius Slay notched two interceptions and Steven Nelson essentially sealed the win with his INT in the final minutes…
To read the entire article, click here.
PFF GIVES GANNON’S DEFENSE GLOWING REVIEWS FOR WEEK 5
Anyone with eyes knows how well the Eagles defense played on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. They caused three turnovers, recorded three sacks, and didn’t allow their offense to go over 300 yards. It was a dominant performance from Jonathan Gannon’s group, and Pro Football Focus agrees…
To read the entire article, click here.
TAMPA BAY’S DEFENSE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO PHILLY’S PASSING ATTACK
As Nick Sirianni prepares his Eagles offense to take on a stout Tampa Bay defense, there’s no doubt that he’ll be looking to air it out early and often in this contest. Not only because that’s his M.O., but because the Buccaneers have one of the worst pass defenses in all of football.
“But I thought you said they have a ‘stout’ defense?”
They do, when defending the run. Tampa Bay has allowed just 229 yards on the ground this year, the lowest mark in the league and the only defense to allow under 300 through five games. 2.9 yards per attempt allowed and just one rushing touchdown speaks to how good they are along the line and at linebacker.
But their secondary is a different story…
To read the entire article, click here.
PROP BETS FOR WEEK 6
The Philadelphia Eagles are set to host the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Thursday Night Football this week.
As we do every week, let’s take a look at some favorable prop bets for this week’s matchup…
To read the entire article, click here.
Game Prediction
This has all the makings of a trap game for the Buccaneers. Coming off a big win, facing an inferior opponent on a short week, dealing with some key injuries. The Eagles can certainly pull off the upset if they exploit some of Tampa’s weaknesses and play ball control offense.
Will Nick Sirianni and his team be able to do that? I believe they can.
I actually predicted a loss on our most recent “Pulse of the City” podcast episode, but I’m flipping my pick here because I can. Instead of my original pick of 29-26 Bucs, I’m going with Philly in this one 26-23. Go Birds.