Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks from the tunnel for a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Eagles 32-9 in the NFC Wild Card Round last season, Philadelphia was without their top wide receiver in A.J. Brown.
The Eagles will return to Raymond James Stadium Sunday, and will again be without Brown, who is missing his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury. This time, DeVonta Smith also won't be in the lineup for the Eagles, as he was concussed during the Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints.
So it goes without saying that Jalen Hurts will have quite a bit of pressure on him Sunday. As will Saquon Barkley, who joined the Eagles since the last matchup with the Buccaneers and has rushed for an NFL-high 351 yards through his first three games in Midnight Green.
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers have an edge, and like the Eagles, they are off to a 2-1 start. The Eagles are currently one-point favorites, but this game is essentially a tossup.
Here are picks from our On Pattison staffers on how they believe things will play out in Week 4.
Tim Kelly
Score: Bucs 19, Eagles 13
Game MVP: Bucky Irving
With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles are thin on overall receiver depth since they've poured so many resources into those two. Without them both, Dallas Goedert might need to go for 200 receiving yards this week for the Eagles to escape Tampa with a win. I think this game will be pretty similar to last week, except this time the Eagles don't pull out the win late.
Kyle Scott
Score: Eagles 32, Bucs 12
Game MVP: Jalen Hurts
The Eagles will be landing in a seaplane, presumably on Saturday. There might not be anything left in Tampa after Helene moves through, which will be the case for the city’s football team when the Birds come to town and spoil the Tom Brady return game by demolishing Tampa and reasserting their dominance, at least for the time being, in the NFC.
We’ve elevated WRs Parris Campbell and John Ross from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game, and we’ve downgraded WR A.J. Brown's (hamstring) and LB Devin White's (personal) game status to Out. pic.twitter.com/oK0FPbx0Pz
Anthony SanFilippo
Score: Bucs 23, Eagles 20
Game MVP: Mike Evans
One of these weeks, I’ll get this right… Look, the Eagles defense was better. But the Saints had to adjust to losing the captain of their offensive line in-game, which impacted their game plan. I’m also not a believer yet in what the coach and QB are selling. I know the Eagles are seeking revenge for the playoffs, but it’s supposed to be pushing 100 degrees Sunday in Tampa. The Bucs are used to that. The Birds? Not so much. And, it’s likely that there will be some extra emotion for the Bucs after the hurricane did so much damage to their community. I got nothing else to go on with an 0-3 record so far… so, yeah, this is now like your dog picking the college basketball tournament.
John Foley
Score: Eagles 17, Bucs 14
Game MVP: Saquon Barkley
To be honest, this game feels like a total crapshoot. The Eagles will play without DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. It’s expected to feel like 99 degrees in Tampa, with heavy wind gusts and possible thunderstorms. It’s a recipe for a weird, low-scoring, messy game. So I’ll take the Birds, the team with the best running back on the field.
Austin Krell
Score: Eagles 31, Bucs 27
Game MVP: Saquon Barkley
The war of attrition actually somehow favors the Eagles this week, despite them ostensibly being down checks notes A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. But, things are simply worse for the Bucs. From a human standpoint, I can’t imagine it’s easy to concentrate solely on playing football if you’re representing Tampa Bay this week. Not only are they banged up, but those who are healthy might have their minds on other more pressing issues. Control the game with Saquon, go into the bye 3-1.
