TAMPA, FL. – The Buccaneers played their most complete football game of the season and it came in a win or go home scenario, beating the Eagles 31-15 to advance to the divisional playoffs. The Bucs defense stopped the Eagles running attack led by quarterback Jalen Hurts and picked off Hurts twice in a rout. The interceptions by Mike Edwards and Shaq Barrett were key, but linebacker Lavonte David felt it was an overall team effort.
“They’re (Eagles) an explosive offense,” said David. “For us to be able to take away those explosive plays was really big. I feel like the coaches had a great game plan coming into the week.”
Tom Brady led the offense to a fast start engineering a pair of touchdown drives that chewed up a lot of clock. The Bucs took a 17-0 lead into the half and were able to increase that to 31-0 and the question then was, should the starters be taken out.
“I think we’re just going to have to keep doing what we did today,” said Brady. “Everyone’s got to touch it and make some explosive plays. Did a good job of possessing it, the defense played great, so it was a great team win.”
Mike Evans led the way with 9 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. When Brady hit Evans in the 3rd for a score and increased the Bucs lead to 31-0, Evans got so excited he did a somersault into the end zone.
“It was an unbelievable experience, an unbelievable atmosphere,” said Evans. “I thought the fans did a great job. We answered the call, made plays, and got the job done.”
“I thought the crowd was huge,” said Bucs head coach Bruce Arians.”Guys were feeding off it, they were loud from start to finish.”
The Bucs will get to experience it again this coming week. Arians says he hopes it’s even louder.
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