Mayfield expressed his pride in the team’s performance, stating, “We fought so hard to get to this point, to get a chance to be in the playoffs, and I’m so proud of this team tonight. The way we came out and started fast, I’m so proud.”
On the other side, Jalen Hurts, who played with a finger injury on his throwing hand, finished 25-of-35 for 250 yards and a touchdown. DeVonta Smith was a standout for the Eagles, with eight catches for 148 yards, but the team faced challenges after Julio Jones left the game in the second quarter and was evaluated for a concussion.
With this victory, the Buccaneers are set to face the No. 3 seed Detroit Lions at Ford Field in the divisional round. The Lions secured their first playoff win in over 30 years by defeating the Los Angeles Rams in their own wild-card matchup.
Winners and Losers:
Winners:
- Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay’s defense: The Buccaneers’ defensive strategy, led by Todd Bowles, effectively utilized the blitz throughout the game, causing significant challenges for the Eagles.
- Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay’s passing attack: Mayfield managed the game effectively, picking apart Philadelphia’s secondary and finishing with 337 yards and three touchdown passes.
- Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin: McLaughlin converted all three of his field goals, including a 54-yarder.
- Eagles WR DeVonta Smith: Smith stood out as the lone bright spot for the Eagles, tallying eight catches for 148 receiving yards.
Losers:
- Cornerback James Bradberry, Eagles secondary: Bradberry’s struggles continued from the regular season into the postseason, and the entire Eagles secondary faced challenges, contributing to their playoff exit.
- Eagles’ MIA run game: The Eagles, known for their strong rushing attack in the previous year, failed to find consistency in their running game, rushing for only 41 yards in the loss.
- Fall of the Eagles team: The Eagles experienced a rapid decline after starting the regular season strongly, losing six of their last seven games (including the playoffs) and facing challenges in pass defense, pass rush, and offensive predictability.
Highlights:
The game saw Baker Mayfield throw three touchdowns, leading the Buccaneers to a convincing win over the Eagles. The scoring highlights included field goals and touchdowns from both teams, with Mayfield’s impressive performance standing out.
Eagles’ Hopes Dim:
The Eagles’ hopes dwindled after a turnover on downs, and they struggled to score in the latter part of the game. A failed fourth-down attempt further diminished their chances of a comeback against the Buccaneers.
Safety and Touchdown Sequence:
A safety quickly led to a Tampa Bay touchdown, with Baker Mayfield finding rookie Trey Palmer for a 56-yard touchdown. The Buccaneers effectively took control of the game, building a substantial lead.
Bruce Arians on ManningCast:
Former Buccaneers and Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians made an appearance on ManningCast during the game. Arians shared insights into his coaching career and engaged in conversations with Eli and Peyton Manning.
In summary, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a decisive victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, advancing to face the Detroit Lions in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. The game showcased standout performances, strategic brilliance, and highlighted the challenges faced by the Eagles, leading to their playoff exit.