NFL Super Wild Card Weekend: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers betting picks, preview
The Philadelphia Eagles are inarguably the coldest team entering the NFL playoffs, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers own one of the worst records of any playoff team. This opens up some intriguing options for this Super Wild Card Weekend matchup on Monday night.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Betting Odds
Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN, Fubo)
Spread: Philadelphia -3, Over/under: 44 points, Philadelphia -155 | Tampa Bay +130
Philadelphia is limping into the playoffs, sitting at 11-6 but losers of five of its last six games. The Eagles' past two losses have been particularly troubling, falling to two of the NFL's worst teams in the Giants and Cardinals. This team has issues throughout, and it starts with uninspiring play-calling and shoddy tackling and coverage on defense.
We'll have to wait and see if wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith can play this week; both are dealing with injuries that would severely limit what the Eagles are able to do. (UPDATE: Brown has been ruled out for Monday night's game.)
As for Tampa Bay, the Baker Mayfield experiment certainly has to be viewed as a success, they won the NFC South at 9-8. Their last game of the season doesn't elicit quite a lot of confidence, a 9-0 win over the 2-15 Panthers. Mike Evans has remained one of the league's top wideouts.
Their secondary has been a problem, allowing wide receivers to have big games with regularity, and allowing the second-most 20+ yard passes per game on the season.
These two met earlier this year in Week 3, a 25-11 Philadelphia win that saw the Eagles dominate on the ground with D'Andre Swift. That was a long time ago, and these two teams don't look the same at all as they did back then.
The Eagles are 6-8-3 ATS, and the Buccaneers are 11-6 ATS. Philly is 9-8 to the over while Tampa is 11-6 to the under.
Betting Picks for Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay
Buccaneers +3
Don't get fooled into remembering what this Eagles team was last year. Whether it was losing both coordinators or regression from players and the coaching staff that's left, this Philadelphia team is flat-out bad.
They have been an uninspiring group on both ends. They can't handle the blitz on offense, often causing Jalen Hurts to roll out and throw it away. Well, Todd Bowles blitzes at the third-highest rate in the league.
On defense, the Eagles have been one of the worst tackling units in football and are getting gashed any which way you choose. Once an elite run defense, they've been anything but lately, and the secondary has been a problem all season long.
Expect a big Mike Evans day, and Tampa Bay should win this. Bet their moneyline if you'd like, we'll play it safe and back the home dogs with the three points.
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