Saquon Barkley just confirmed what Eagles fans worry most about with Buccaneers

As the Philadelphia Eagles came to the end of their game planning in preparation for playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, running back Saquon Barkley is very clear on who the team needs to watch out for when they suffer through the 90+ degree weather on Sunday.

Every running back always focuses on who the run stoppers are on the opposite side of the field. Barkley knows how good Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is for their team.

For eight years, Vea has been considered one of the best in the NFL in making running backs lives miserable. That's why Barkley paid such high compliments to him when speaking with the media.

"Vita in the middle is kind of tough. I’m wondering what they have him listed as. I bet whatever they have him listed as, add 30 to 40 pounds. He’s a heck of a player."

Vea is a nightmare for the Eagles' offensive line in the middle

It wouldn't be too much of a surprise if the Buccaneers try to line up Vea on the right side to go up against Tyler Steen. Tampa wants to challenge the man who is about to make his seventh start in his three-year NFL career.

Little do they know that the young guard is ready for the challenge. Steen has been solid this season. Nothing flashy, but his 60.5 PFF overall grade ranks him 37th out of 95 guards in the NFL. His strength is that pass blocking, which he was graded at 70.7 (25th in the NFL). He also has a run block grade of 54.4 (66th in the NFL).

The strategy is simple for the Eagles: run the ball on the opposite side of Vea and let Steen go up against them in pass rushing situations. Barkley's strength is running those stretch plays on the outside anyways.

Where Vea could be a weapon for the Buccaneers is in Tush Push situations in the middle. That would mean Eagles center Cam Jurgens getting low and making sure Vea doesn't use his 347-pound strength to take down Jalen Hurts short of the line.

It's a big test for the Eagles on Sunday, who has not run the ball as well as fans are accustomed to. With only an average of 122 yards per game (14th in the NFL), they need to figure out how to get Barkley going. Less inside runs and more outside explosive plays could do the trick.

Barkley will have his eyes on where Vea is and know exactly what to do on Sunday to get his first 100-yard game of the season.