Eagles vs Bucs predictions. Our specialists on if Jalen Hurts can lastly beat warmth, Tampa Bay – The Information Journal

PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles are returning to their home of horrors for the fifth time in 5 seasons after they tackle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s going to be the sixth time the Eagles are going through the Bucs in 5 seasons, an unimaginable quantity contemplating that they aren’t in the identical division. The Bucs are 4-1 within the earlier 5 video games, 3-1 in Tampa.
So the Eagles are altering up their plans this time, hoping that may result in higher outcomes. Because the well-known saying goes: “The definition of madness is doing the identical factor over and over and anticipating totally different outcomes.”
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni noticed how his staff wilted within the Tampa warmth and humidity throughout their 33-16 loss to the Buccaneers of their Sept. 29, 2024, at Raymond James Stadium. That recreation was performed at 1 p.m. The 2 groups are enjoying on the similar time on the very same weekend on Sept. 28.
The Nationwide Climate Service is looking for a excessive temperature of 92 levels on recreation day, with an actual really feel of 99 levels.
That is why the Eagles are leaving for Tampa on Sept. 26, to allow them to maintain their walkthrough follow the following day in Tampa, and thus acclimate to the warmth and humidity.
“The whole lot we do is to attempt … (to ensure) that our course of is correct to offer ourselves the very best probability to win,” Sirianni mentioned. “If the method is off, you then don’t have as a lot of an opportunity. In order that was a part of our course of after we studied some issues within the offseason with the warmth and the whole lot like that. Get on the market a day earlier to acclimate. One much less break day the aircraft earlier than you play a recreation.”
However there are some things that want debunking as to the Eagles’ try to beat the warmth − and the Bucs.
One is final 12 months’s recreation was the one one of many earlier 5 performed within the warmth and humidity. The primary recreation, in 2021, was in Philly, and the second was within the playoffs in January 2022. The frequent denominator in each was that the Bucs had gained the Tremendous Bowl the season earlier than, Tom Brady was the quarterback, and Sirianni was in his first season with the Eagles as was Hurts because the full-time beginning QB.
The Eagles gained in Tampa in September 2023, however that was an evening recreation. The Eagles misplaced within the playoffs on the finish of that season, additionally in an evening recreation in January.
So final season’s recreation was the one one within the warmth. And in that recreation, the Eagles did not have huge receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith together with proper deal with Lane Johnson, all out with accidents.
However hey, you possibly can’t fault the Eagles for attempting one thing new. Will it work? Right here is how our specialists see the sport going:
Our prognosticators are Martin Frank (Eagles beat author/columnist, Delawareonline.com), Greg Giesen (sports activities strategist, Delawareonline.com), Tom McGurk (sports activities editor, Courierpostonline.com), Tom Moore (sports activities columnist, Phillyburbs.com), Bob Jordan (sports activities editor, app.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports activities betting analyst & columnist, Northjersey.com), Tom Haines (Pennsylvania state planning), Brad Myers (highschool sports activities author, Delawareonline.com), Kevin Tresolini, (faculty sports activities reporter, Delawareonline.com), Michelle Ganassi (viewers director & die-hard Steelers fan, Delawareonline.com), Tom Rimback (sports activities author, Courierpostonline.com), Brandon Holveck (highschool sports activities reporter, Delawareonline.com)
For years beneath Todd Bowles, the Bucs’ protection has been kryptonite for Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, who’s 1-4 towards Tampa Bay since 2021, together with playoffs. In these video games, Hurts has accomplished 59.1% of his passes, with 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. His passer score is 74.6. Offensively, the Bucs are harmful, even with out WR Mike Evans, who’s out with a hamstring harm. The Bucs are anticipated to have Delaware native WR Chris Godwin again from a damaged ankle. With QB Baker Mayfield and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka enjoying properly, that is an excessive amount of warmth for the Eagles to deal with.
The decide: Buccaneers 27, Eagles 20
This recreation will come right down to the climate. The forecast is looking for scattered showers, solar, humidity and highs within the 80s. The Eagles might want to seize bananas, Gatorade, IV fluids, no matter they will to remain recent, hydrated and cramp free. Even when they do all of this, it is nonetheless going to be a troublesome take a look at on the street. If the Eagles proceed to chuck the ball round they’ve a shot. In the event that they revert to the conservative recreation plan they’re cooked.
The decide: Eagles 31, Buccaneers 27
The Bucs have gained their three video games by a mixed six factors. This one might be shut, too, however they are not going to prevail this time, regardless of the Eagles’ latest futility in Florida. Baker Mayfield throwing his first interception of the 12 months can be a giant enhance for the Eagles.
The decide: Eagles 23, Bucs 19
The absence of Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans who has 4 landing grabs in 5 profession video games towards the Eagles is a giant enhance to Philadelphia’s probabilities. Will Quinyon Mitchell journey with rookie Emeka Egbuka? Or play to the sphere towards the rotation of Egbuka, Middletown native Chris Godwin and Sterling Shepard? Both means, it’s higher than having to account for the 6-foot-5 Evans, too.
The decide: Eagles 28, Buccaneers 20
Glad to see the crackdown on the tush push − on the New Orleans Saints, who had been flagged after a false begin in Week 3. In the meantime, the zebras mentioned the Eagles’ pushes had been all good and Jason Kelce’s “I believe the play is completed” proclamation is a bit untimely in these components.
The decide: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 17
Let’s face it. The Buccaneers have the Eagles’ quantity. Looks as if they all the time have. Tampa has gained 4 of the final 5 conferences, 4 of the six playoff conferences, and 13 of the 24 conferences total. Sunday would be the fifth straight time the sport is of their ridiculous stadium with their hokey Pirate-ship finish zone. The whole lot factors to the primary lack of the season.
The decide: Eagles 40, Buccaneers 6
Do not you assume Nick Sirianni and the remainder of the Birds might be fired up for this rematch? Sunday might be a shot at redemption for final 12 months’s stinker at Raymond James Stadium. Search for the Birds to beat the warmth and the Bucs this time round. One other huge week for Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown whereas this younger and relentless Eagles’ protection takes one other step ahead.
The decide: Eagles 26, Buccaneers 13
The unbeaten Bucs hand the Eagles their first loss after some extraordinarily shut calls.
The decide: Buccaneers 27, Eagles 24
Often is the return of Chris Godwin.
Would be the continuation of the tush push.
The decide: Eagles 27, Buccaneers 24
To borrow from the Queen of Philly I am “not gonna lie,” the Rams recreation had me nervous. As a Steelers fan I’m all the time anxious about these video games that needs to be simple to win. However alas right here I’m going. The Eagles will keep their undefeated streak and so will I.
The decide: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 20
A home of horrors, for certain. Even earlier than Brady and the bunch knocked the Birds out of the 2022 playoffs and Baker Mayfield did the identical two seasons later, do not forget Vanilla Ice wannabe Ryan Fitzpatrick torching the Eagles for 400 yards in 2018 or Matt Bryant nailing a 62-yard subject objective because the clock expired in 2006. And that is simply the pattern measurement from this millennium. However we’re coping with the now and, regardless of some unsettling harm information, it is time to rewrite the narrative.
The decide: Eagles 28, Buccaneers 23
The Buccaneers have been dealt an enormous blow with No. 1 huge receiver Mike Evans sidelined for this one and the foreseeable future as recovers from a hamstring harm. Nonetheless, the staff is getting again former Penn State alum and fellow wideout Chris Godwin.
As most have talked about above, the Birds touring to play in Tampa Bay has been a nightmare for the franchise in latest historical past. Will that change in Week 4?
It is shut, however finally the Bucs, who’ve gained every of their first three video games within the final minute of regulation, keep undefeated as placekicker Chase McLaughlin retains that streak going as he drills one other game-winning subject objective with beneath a minute left with Tampa Bay narrowly popping out on high on this must-see battle of undefeated groups on Sunday.
The decide: Buccaneers 23, Eagles 20
3-0: Rimback, Moore, Holveck, Haines, Giesen, Ganassi, Myers
2-1: Frank, Bainbridge, McGurk, Tresolini
0-3: Jordan
Our staff of savvy editors independently handpicks all suggestions. If you buy via our hyperlinks, the USA As we speak Community might earn a fee. Costs had been correct on the time of publication however might change.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Observe on X @Mfranknfl. Learn his protection of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying Excessive,” a brand new hardcover coffee-table ebook from Delaware On-line/The Information Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
Our staff of savvy editors independently handpicks all suggestions. If you buy via our hyperlinks, the USA As we speak Community might earn a fee. Costs had been correct on the time of publication however might change.

source