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Eagles prevail 25-11 over Buccaneers

kevin tresolini, delaware news journal
·7 min read

Bad moments keep leading to favorable outcomes for the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium tonight.

Linebacker Nick Morrow tackled Tampa Bay running back Rashaad White for a safety as the Eagles increased their lead to 22-3 with 3:46 left in the third period.

The Bucs were at their 1 after an interception by Dee Delaney.

The Eagles then went up 25-3 on Jake Elliott's 26-yard field goal on their next series before Tampa Bay closed the game to 25-11. Baker Mayfield passed one yard to Mike Evans for the TD and Chris Godwin had a 2-point catch with 9:22 to go.

The Bucs never got the football back and the Eagles won 25-3.

Eagles extend lead

Their best possession of the night has extended the Eagles' lead to 20-3.

Jalen Hurts' 1-yard quarterback sneak with a helpful push from teammates closed a 13-play, 75-yard march that ended with 9:12 to go in the third period.

It featured a 26-yard run by D'Andre Swift.

Eagles up at halftime

The Eagles and Buccaneers traded turnovers with the Eagles getting the best of that swap. Jake Elliott's 38-yard field goal as time expired sent the Eagles into halftime ahead 13-3.

It came after rookie Jalen Carter forced White to fumble with James Bradberry recovering.

Philadelphia Eagles' Jake Elliott kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Philadelphia Eagles' Jake Elliott kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.

Tampa Bay had gotten the ball after Devin White intercepted Jalen Hurts' pass.

Hurts was 12-for-21 for 153 yards and the Eagles had 228 yards to the Bucs' 87. Eleven running plays netted just 20 yards for the hosts.

Making a name for himself

Olamide Zaccheaus has his first Eagles touchdown and the Birds regained the lead.

Hurts scrambled and threw 34 yards for the TD to Zaccheaus as the Eagles went ahead 10-3 with 3:31 left before halftime.

Zaccheaus attended PIAA state powerhouse Saint Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia before starring at Virginia and spending four seasons with the Falcons. The Eagles signed him as a free agent in March.

Philadelphia Eagles' fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Philadelphia Eagles' fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.

Making Baker bobble

Forcing turnovers has been a specialty for the Eagles in wins over New England and Minnesota to start the season. They have six takeaways.

But Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield did not have an interception or lost a fumble in wins over the Vikings and Bears.

That ended when Reed Blankenship picked off his pass with 2:26 to go in the second period.

Getting pressure on Mayfield in the hope of throwing off his rhythm will be a key for the Eagles tonight. His 104.4 passer rating is presently fifth among NFL starters and his 69.1 completion percentage is ninth. He was 9-for-16 for 80 yards at halftime.

Godwin catch key

Chris Godwin's catch helped Tampa Bay draw even with the Eagles.

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The Middletown High grad's 18-yard third-down reception keyed a drive in which the Bucs tied it up 3-3 with 8:33 left in the second quarter on Chase McLaughlin's 33-yard field goal.

It could have been worse for the Eagles but Sydney Brown stripped Mike Evans on a potential TD catch.

Eagles lose gamble but take lead

An early gamble failed for the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium but they have still taken the lead over Tampa Bay.

With the Eagles facing fourth down and a long 1 on their first series at the Bucs' 14, Kenny Gainwell was dropped for a 1-yard loss on a run up the middle as the Eagles elected not to try a field goal.

Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts rolls out during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts rolls out during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.

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Eagles coach Nick Sirianni often makes such decisions, and tonight's came after the Eagles quickly moved into the red zone on their first series as Jalen Hurts threw 39- and 16-yard passes to A.J. Brown and 8 yards to D'Andre Swift.

But the Eagles got another chance after Britain Covey's 52-yard punt to the Bucs' 44. While the Eagles were thwarted again in their quest for six, they did take a 3-0 lead with 3:10 left in the first quarter on Jake Elliott's 36-yard field goal.

Strong start for Eagles defense

It was three possessions and three punts for Tampa Bay as the first quarter ended 3-0.

The Bucs had two first downs and netted 32 yards.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devon Allen (82) returns the opening kickoff during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devon Allen (82) returns the opening kickoff during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Philadelphia.

Allen set for Eagles debut

Braden Mann will do the punting and two-time Olympian Devon Allen some sprinting – with the football, the Eagles hope – tonight.

Each was elevated from the practice squad prior to the 7:15 p.m. kickoff on ABC-TV.

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Mann’s promotion was expected, as he was signed last Monday after the Eagles released the inconsistent Arryn Siposs.

Mann was the Jets’ punter the last three years after being a sixth-round pick from Texas A & M. He averaged 45.4 yards per punt, including 46.9 last year.

Philadelphia Eagles' D'Andre Swift, right, gets past Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Zyon McCollum during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Philadelphia Eagles' D'Andre Swift, right, gets past Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Zyon McCollum during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.

Allen will be suiting up for the first time in a regular-season game after being on the practice squad last season and at the outset of this year. He did return a kick-off 73 yards for a touchdown in the preseason against the Colts.

A two-time NCAA and USA Track and Field 110-meter hurdles champion out of Oregon, Allen placed fifth in that event at the 2016 Summer Olympics and fourth at the COVID-delayed 2021 Games.

He also caught 54 passes for 921 yards and eight touchdowns playing football for the Ducks, most coming his first season in 2014 before concentrating more on track.

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Something has to give

D'Andre Swift rushed for 175 yards on 25 carries for the Eagles against Minnesota last week.

The Bucs have allowed 3.3 yards per carry, fifth best in the NFL.

Swift went 8 yards on the Eagles' first play Monday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Chris Godwin, right, is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' James Bradberry during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Chris Godwin, right, is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' James Bradberry during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.

Godwin may force Eagle adjustment

The Eagles must attempt to limit Godwin, the Middletown graduate in the seventh season his NFL career. He has 456 career catches for 5.775 yards and 32 TDs. Godwin was 2022 Delaware Athlete of the Year.

Reports said that effort may include the Eagles shifting All-Pro cornerback James Bradberry, back after missing last week with a concussion, to the nickel spot, replacing the injured Avonte Maddox, and matching up with Godwin in the slot.

Godwin was lined up wide when he caught Baker Mayfield's third-and-2 pass for 7 yards on the game's first series. But Mayfield was incomplete on his next third-down throw and the Bucs punted.

Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Philadelphia Eagles visit Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL