TAMPA, Fla. – Despite the Philadelphia Eagles coming into Monday Night’s NFC Wildcard game reeling, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles had some high praise for his opponent..
“They’re (Eagles) talented,” Bowles said. “They’re still tough. They went to the Super Bowl last year, and they have double-digit wins this year. They’re still a great team.”
The NFC South Champions Buccaneers, with a 9-8 record, face an Eagles team coming off a 27-10 loss to the lowly NY Giants. Philly went down 24-0 late in the first half, and Eagles head coach Nick Siriani started subbing to get his starters rested for this Wild Card game.
Read: Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Led Cleveland To A Rare Playoff Win In 2020
“Everybody’s 0-0 going into this week,” Siriani said. “We need all players, coaches, staff, all hands on deck. Leave everything they’ve got in this locker room.”
The Eagles are the first playoff team to lose five of their last six games and make the playoffs since the 1999 Miami Dolphins. However, when The Bucs played the Eagles earlier this season, the Bucs were dominated, losing 25-11.
“They’re a physical team,” Bucs linebacker Lavonte David said. “They’re dominant up front on the offensive line.”I believe the first time we played them, they probably ran for almost 200 yards on us. We’ve just got to come focused and prepared.”
The Eagles garnered 472 yards of offense against the Bucs in Week 3, while the Eagle’s defense held the Bucs to only 133 yards passing and 41 yards rushing.
“We were a different team back then and I think they were as well,” Mayfield said. “We’ll see what we can do. We know their front is their strength and we’ll go from there.”
Mayfield threw for the first time in practice Friday and looked sharp, moving around and with velocity on his throws. Mayfield has been battling an ankle injury and sore ribs. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts dislocated his middle finger on his throwing hand in last week’s game. Hurts had it taped up and returned to the game, but was ineffective. Bucs offensive coordinator didn’t want to give away any information on Mayfield’s health and how he looked in practice when asked on Friday.
“I think it was a similar rhythm to last week,” Canales said. “Trying to make sure we get him as healthy as possible by gameday,.”
Both teams know you lose, you go home, and by the looks of the vibe at One Buc Place, the Bucs are in as good of a place as expected for a one-game above .500 club.
Kickoff Monday Night at Raymond James Stadium is at 8:00 PM.
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