TAMPA, Fla. – The Bucs came out fast, took an early 10-0 lead, and never looked back in beating the Eagles 32-9 to advance to the NFC Divisional Round Sunday against the Lions in Detroit.
“It’s big, and it says a lot about the growth of our team from where we were in the beginning.” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said. “Now, playing with confidence.
When The Eagles beat the Bucs 25-11 in Week 3 a number of Bucs players admitted they were out physicaled and didn’t want to make that mistake again.
Read: Tampa Bay Bucs Clip The Wings Of The Eagles In Super Wild Card Showdown 32-9
“I think a lot of people wrote us off at the beginning of the season, so it feels good to get a playoff win like this,” Bucs nose tackle Vita Vea said. “Especially with a good team as good as Philadelphia.”
The Bucs drove down the field in their first series but settled for a field goal. Baker Mayfield found wide receiver David Moore wide open, and Moore made a couple of jukes and took it 44 yards for the score to put Tampa Bay up 10-0. Mayfield spread the ball around throwing for 337 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
“We worked extremely hard to get a chance to be in the playoffs,” Mayfield said. “We just wanted an opportunity. Our guys came out and played really, really well. Our defense played lights out. We’re happy but still have more to go.”
The Eagles, trying to make a game of it, got a five yard TD pass from Jalen Hurts to Dallas Goedert set up by a long Hurts bomb. The Tush Push two point conversion failed and at 16-9 that was as close as Philly could get.
The Bucs put it out of reach when Mayfield connected with the speedy Trey Palmer for a 56-yard touchdown to put Tampa Bay up 25-9. Mayfield appreciated the Bucs fans who came out and were loud and said he could feel the electricity in the air.
“Big Difference in tonight’s game compared to the first one and how many Eagles fans were there,” Mayfield said. “Tampa showed up. We appreciate that.”
Philadelphia started out 10-1 but had lost five of their last six and were totally outplayed by the Bucs in this playoff game.
The Bucs have to go to a hard place to win in Detroit. The Lions won their first playoff game since 1991—kickoff at 3 pm Sunday.
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