Buccaneers vs. Eagles 32-9

The game between the Buccaneers and the Eagles was a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and determination. From the very beginning, it was evident that both teams were hungry for victory. The Buccaneers showcased their dominance with an impressive offensive performance, while the Eagles struggled to find their rhythm.

The Buccaneers' quarterback led his team with precision and accuracy, making crucial passes that resulted in multiple touchdowns. Their running backs displayed incredible speed and agility, consistently breaking through the Eagles' defense. The offensive line provided excellent protection, allowing their quarterback ample time to make plays.

The Buccaneers constructed a successful opening 65-yard drive, featuring a third-down conversion on a shifty Rachaad White run post-screen, a 15-yard gain by Cade Otton on a crosser and a 21-yard gain by Mike Evans exploiting off coverage. However, two back-to-back incompletions in the red zone forced a Chase McLaughlin 28-yard field goal. On the Eagles first possession, the Bucs' defense got a stop on third down. Linebacker K.J. Britt brought pressure on Jalen Hurts on a blitz and got his hands on the football. Antoine Winfield Jr. than batted down the pass as it floated to intended target Dallas Goedert, forcing a punt.

The Eagles struggled at the end of the year entering the postseason and lost five of their final six regular season games, and that was on full display in the loss that ended the 2023 season. 

Whether it was missed tackles, poor game-planning, and play-calling or execution, the Eagles didn't have any answers for anything the Buccaneers threw at them. 

DeVonta Smith did keep Philadelphia in the game. He had 111 yards in the first half, including a 55-yard catch to set up the Eagles' only touchdown. The Eagles went for the 2-point conversion after the Bucs were offsides on the extra-point attempt, but Tampa Bay's defense stopped a "Brotherly Shove," in part because of a facemask that wasn't called.

The Buccaneers led 16-9 at halftime and it should have been more. They had plenty of dropped passes. The Eagles hadn't played that well but were still in the game.

In the game, Mayfield became the first Bucs quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in a playoff game. He finished the game 22-36 for 337 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

It was the punctuation mark for a Bucs team that was doubted all year long and was now on their way to Detroit to face the Lions in an NFC Divisional Round game next Sunday

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Sarah H

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