Bucs vs. Eagles: Most Disappointing In Week 3

The Bucs were completely overmatched against the Eagles in a primetime matchup on Monday Night Football. Tampa Bay fell to Philadelphia 25-11, with the only highlight for the Bucs that’ll leave their fans happy being Ronde Barber getting his Hall of Fame ring.

It was a struggle on both sides of the ball for the Bucs, who just couldn’t hang with the defending NFC champions. With a chance to prove many wrong, the Bucs failed to make it competitive after halftime.

These were the most disappointing players and moments from the game.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

WR Mike Evans

This was a primetime game that Mike Evans would like to have back. Uncharacteristically, he had two costly drops in the first half. One of them came on a third down on a throw that was a little high, but should have been caught. The other hurt more, as his second drop occurred in the end zone, which would’ve given the Bucs the lead at that time in the game. Evans later also couldn’t come up with a catch near the sideline when the Bucs were down 20-3 in the third quarter.

The 10th-year receiver did have some big catches on the offense’s lone touchdown drive and ultimately capped off the possession with a one-yard score, but it was too little too late.

LB J.J. Russell

While Jake Camarda was able to do his job punting the ball, the coverage team didn’t hold up their end too much. Eagles’ returner Britain Covey took a punt for 52 yards to set the Eagles up with great field position. The play was sparked after Russell whiffed on tackling Covey when he ran to his side. The Eagles kicked a field goal on the drive to start off the scoring, and it was all because of the return.

Bucs’ Run Game

We knew it was going to be tough sledding against the best run stopping defense in the NFL, but even this was bad. The Bucs just couldn’t get a push up front and they didn’t do anything in the run game. They managed 41 yards and couldn’t control the possession game. The poor run blocking also led to the Eagles recording a safety after tackling Rachaad White in the end zone.

CB Jamel Dean 

The one knock on Jamel Dean as a corner is that he doesn’t get his hands on the football. There were multiple opportunities to get a pick late in the second quarter, but Dean’s inability to take the ball away ended up being a touchdown for Olamide Zaccheaus and later a field goal for the Eagles.

Dean was an inch away from taking the ball, and the Bucs could’ve really used it. When you face the defending NFC champions, you need your best guys to make plays. Dean wasn’t able to in that situation. He also had an illegal use of hands to the face penalty on the second-to-last drive before the half, then he had a chance to pick off Jalen Hurts with nine seconds to go while covering A.J. Brown, but once again a potential INT was just a PBU. He finished the game with two tackles.

Bucs’ Run Defense

Bucs heac coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay got gashed right up the middle against Philadelphia’s run game. D’Andre Swift racked up 8.1 rushing yards per attempt while Kenneth Gainwell averaged four per carry. It felt like the backs were getting better as the game went on. The Eagles were able to control the clock in the second half as they continued to build their lead.

RB Rachaad White 

White couldn’t do much in the ground game, and he had a costly fumble at an inopportune time on a passing play. As he attempted to break tackles and head up the field, White got absolutely walloped by Jalen Carter, who knocked the ball out while James Bradberry recovered it. This went on with 32 seconds to go in the second quarter, putting the Eagles in field goal range and allowing them to extend their lead to 13-3. Bad timing that just can’t happen in that situation.

Bucs’ Pass Rush

Eagles DT Fletcher Cox and Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

There were times that Jalen Hurts had all day to throw. While the Bucs fared well in terms of keeping Hurts in the pocket, he also made some easy completions because he could take his time. Hurts was sacked just once in the game.

Bucs’ Offense

You honestly could put the whole offensive unit on most disappointing. The offensive line struggled to block up front. There were times that Baker Mayfield either made poor throws or was too late on his decision making. The receivers combined for just 11 catches, and it wasn’t until late that Evans and Chris Godwin surpassed running back Rachaad White in receiving yards.

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