Takeaways from the Buccaneers' drubbing over the Eagles
The Buccaneers closed out Super Wild Card Weekend with an emphatic 32-9 win over the Eagles on Monday night.
Here are our takeaways from Tampa Bay's dominant performance.
Eagles need major changes: How do the Eagles possibly come back from this? The late-season collapse (1-5 in their final six games) was bad enough, but to be embarrassed even more than the Cowboys were in their disastrous 48-32 loss to the Packers will likely cause heads to roll in Philly.
Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai, who was relieved of play-calling duties during the season, are likely out. However, bigger changes could be in store.
Head coach Nick Sirianni's job security is rightfully in doubt after he proved to have no answers for the team's downward spiral.
Who knows what exactly is in store for the Eagles offseason, but it seems nearly impossible that there won't be some significant changes.
Bucs' drops keep the game close: The 23-point margin of victory doesn't do the Bucs justice. They dominated the Eagles, and it could have been much worse if not for six first-half drops. Nevertheless, quarterback Baker Mayfield's revival continued.
He finished 22-of-36 for 337 yards and three touchdowns, far outplaying his one-year, $2M contract he signed during the offseason. As good as his numbers were, they would have been even better if his pass-catchers held up their end of the bargain.
Congrats to the Lions: It didn't look like it on Monday, but there's a reason why Tampa Bay barely won the worst division in football. The Bucs struggled to run the ball during the regular season, ranking last in rushing yards (1,509) and yards per attempt (3.4). They were also susceptible against the pass, ranking 29th in passing yards allowed (4,232).
Lions quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will relish the opportunity to replicate the success Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (eight receptions, 148 yards) had on Monday, and the defensive line led by Aidan Hutchinson should be able to get after Mayfield after he was sacked four times in the wild-card win.
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