Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Eagles Rematch
January 16th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
There was Dancing in the Street along Dale Mabry as the Bucs turned their attention to Motown.
Tampa Bay displayed more passion and execution throughout Monday night’s 32-9 rout of the feeble Eagles, who just completed one of the most glaring collapses in NFL history.
Now the Bucs get another crack at an opponent that handled them a lopsided regular-season setback.
Unlike the Eagles, the Lions don’t look like they’re falling apart amid injuries and turmoil. Detroit has been established as a 6-point favorite to advance to the NFC championship game, but the surging Bucs won’t go in scared.
They beat the Eagles physically from the opening snap and never let up, even stopping the Push Tush when K.J. Britt vaulted over the pile to stymie Jalen Hurts. Baker Mayfield shredded a soft pass defense for 337 yards and three touchdowns while Philadelphia failed to convert any of its nine third-down opportunities.
The defending NFC champions started the season 10-1 before a historic fall and Tampa Bay exploited Philadelphia’s various flaws with precision. The score would have been even more lopsided had the Bucs held onto some accurate Mayfield passes.
The weather held up … and so did Tampa Bay’s rush defense. Hurts scrambled only once for 5 yards and the Eagles averaged 2.8 yards per carry. That left too much pressure on Hurts, who came in with an injured finger on his throwing hand and never found a rhythm.
Mayfield completed passes to nine different targets and the game turned late in the third quarter when a safety and a 56-yard scoring pass to Trey Palmer opened up a 25-9 advantage.
The absence of injured All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown didn’t help Philadelphia’s cause, but it’s hard to imagine he would have willed the Eagles to victory. Not on this night, when Tampa Bay players and coaches turned in a complete performance.
Top target Cade Otton.
You should have seen the extended receiving line just inside the Buc locker room as the Glazers congratulated the home team for a job well done. While the Philadelphia media debates the future of Nick Sirianni, there should be no speculation about the job security of Todd Bowles.
The Bucs have now won 6-of-7 and no matter what happens at Ford Field, they are assured of a winning season. They are only two victories away from a Super Bowl berth and there’s a possibility Tampa Bay could play host to the conference title game.
All it would take is a Green Bay upset at San Francisco and a Buc triumph in Detroit on a short week. Judging by their effort Monday night, the Bucs have the look of a lively underdog.
Here’s how they sent the Eagles packing in style with a dominant victory that never felt truly in doubt:
*If you had Cade Otton as Mayfield’s most prolific target, raise your hand. Otton caught 8 of the 11 passes sent his way for 89 yards, continually finding open spaces over the middle.
* Although he was sacked four times, Mayfield’s overall protection was solid as he completed 22-of-36 passes. He usually had ample time to go through his progressions.
* Jamel Dean picked the right time for his best game of the season. He easily led the Bucs with 10 tackles and his coverage was solid, although DeVonta Smith split Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. for a 55-yard catch down the middle. ESPN game analyst Troy Aikman threw blame at Winfield on the play.
Insanely good kicker Chase McLaughlin.
* Chase McLaughlin from 54 yards out. Bingo. What a kicker.
* On the safety, it was rookie Calijah Kancey who broke through and forced Hurts into the corner of his own end zone before sailing a desperate pass to avoid a sack by Anthony Nelson. Officials correctly ruled intentional grounding.
* There’s no polite way to say this — Philadelphia’s tackling was atrocious. There were many culprits, but you should start with James Bradberry, who used to be a decent cornerback.
* Rachaad White averaged 4.0 yards on his 18 carries to give Dave Canales a semblance of the offensive balance he craves.
* Tampa is a nice place to visit in mid-January, but did ESPN really need more than 300 credentials for this matchup?
* Tampa Bay’s pass rush dropped Hurts three times. More importantly, the Bucs made him feel uncomfortable. On most of his 35 pass attempts, Hurts threw off his back foot. To be fair, with Brown inactive, Hurts had few effective targets besides Smith, who had a big night with 148 yards.
* He still has his detractors in Buc Nation, but Bowles went to bed in the wee hours of Tuesday morning knowing he commands one of only eight teams still in the postseason tournament. Not too shabby for a 4-7 team left for dead in late November. Now, it’s on to Motown, where you can’t hurry love but you’d better hurry Jared Goff.
OFFER EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY!!!!
Including Edge, Escape, Expedition and the Bronco Sport!
January 16th, 2024 at 8:38 am
We are 40 minutes into Get Up this morning and they haven’t even mentioned the Bucs yet. All Eagles talk. The disrespect from the national media continues
January 16th, 2024 at 8:40 am
I hearby declare the season a success!
January 16th, 2024 at 8:43 am
If we bring that level of intensity and execution (minus the drops) we can beat anyone and do anything.
LFG
January 16th, 2024 at 8:44 am
Bucs will face a much tougher opponent this week, especially on Defense.
The over/under is 48.5 for Bucs/Lions – I’d take the under.
Hopefully, we get good Baker.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:46 am
Mayfield comeback player of the year. If you can’t appreciate Mayfield you don’t like football. He’s the 2024 version of Bobby Lane.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:00 am
I hold little hope for beating the Lions, but I expect we’ll give a better accounting of ourselves than we did last time
January 16th, 2024 at 9:01 am
The Bucs came to play against Philly! Hope they are as hyped to face Detroit! Would love to get some revenge on that team as well!
January 16th, 2024 at 9:09 am
Sorry, Ira. Hainsey and Stinnie were not solid. They were the absolute weakest links. They both need to look in the mirror today and commit to being better against Detroit.
The Bucs made tons of mistakes that are getting overlooked. Dropped passes. Players turning the wrong way. Bad coverage. Taking sacks in FG range. Blown coverage by All Pros.
They better stop reading all the accolades about themselves and start preparing for Detroit as if Philadelphia never happened.
Get complacent, get run.
And the “fans” will turn on you if you play poorly against Detroit.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:19 am
GO BUCS
January 16th, 2024 at 9:24 am
I was really impressed with the play of Rachaad White….banging for extra yards….
and, I think we have a future star in Zion McCollum….even though he was offsides a couple of times….he laid some real licks on Phil receivers.
We have a great group of young players.
Palmer, White, Zion, Otton, Goedeke, Mauch, Kancey, Ya Ya, Camarda…..and probably Durham, Izien, Britt……
January 16th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Great win! Team still needs to tighten up, a little sloppy in some areas. Go Bucs!
January 16th, 2024 at 9:36 am
IRA
I always love musical references worked into a post. As another old guy here I wonder however how many picked up your Martha and The Vandellas “Dancin’ In the Streets” or Diana Ross and the Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love”.
ModHairKen
I get your post and do not disagree except it might be nice to enjoy a Victory Tuesday before lamenting the mistakes.
And since you placed sneer quotes around “fans” I think I know where you’re going.
Are they fans or are they trolls? I think some are both. Some wish to show their “football expertise” and then will argue to back that point eg. “Baker sucks” to the very end.
Some I can easily ignore…David is a joke who should be ignored…some however I honestly feel sorry because they are clearly intelligent and informed fans which makes it difficult to understand…NEFan…what makes a poor guy come here and embarrass himself like that? I do not know. Rod I get…he values his own opinion very highly…don’t we all? Imagine what must trouble a guy who posts in all caps to make fun of us who were #TEAMPOSITIVE.
I do not expect anybody to value my opinions…just spitballing with the rest of you.
Can I close like Ira with a musical reference from the same era he used..Sly and The Family Stone…
I am “Everyday People” “Sometimes I’m right…sometimes I’m wrong”.
But I can honestly say I never gave up on this team because I have elected to make them “My” team of choice.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:41 am
Bring the heat on Goff and he’ll fall apart. They got a solid chance at a W in Motown
January 16th, 2024 at 9:42 am
Dom that’s a side effect of the respective size of TV markets and fan bases. Tampa is basically viewed as a sports backwater. It’s exacerbated by Tampa’s smaller population being majority transplants who back their old teams. Though everyone at the game did a good job it didn’t look like there was an excess of eagles fans on TV. Oh and the three eagle’s fans that brought paper bags to wear at the end of the game *chef’s kiss*
January 16th, 2024 at 10:00 am
Good one sage, well I heard through the grapevine, Bucs gonna win
January 16th, 2024 at 10:01 am
300 credentials is the excuse ESPN people had for getting out of the blizzard up there – and then they wonder why they lose money and keep laying people off.
January 16th, 2024 at 10:09 am
“”I hereby declare the season a success!””
F A C T .
January 16th, 2024 at 10:11 am
Sage … ‘He still has his detractors in Buc Nation, but Bowles went to bed in the wee hours of Tuesday morning knowing he commands one of only eight teams still in the postseason tournament. Not too shabby for a 4-7 team left for dead in late November.’
Bravo Sage for recognizing the job that Todd Bowles has done with this young team. He may not be the showman that BA was, but he’s done a superb job of maximizing the talent that we could afford after paying for the filet mignon we chowed on during 2020 & 2021 to implement BA’s attack strategy. That worked beautifully, but it was Bowles who had to pick up the pieces in 2022 & now in 2023. Media & fans always applaud offense, but without this defense we wouldn’t win diddly.
January 16th, 2024 at 10:12 am
Good post ModHairKen. Celebrate the well fought win but back to business. Bucs better understand they just got the biggest cupcake matchup of the playoffs, seeing a team that was a shell of its former self and spiralling the drain. A whole new intensity is coming at you next Sunday. Same effort but better execution is only thing that gets it done!
January 16th, 2024 at 10:42 am
Jeeze, national media is all about the Eagles downfall and not how good the Bucs played. Rodney Dangerfield moment, “We get no respect!”
January 16th, 2024 at 11:05 am
Last week we were two penalties away from not making the playoffs at all. We couldn’t score a TD against the worst team in the worst division in the league. The Fleagles were a team playing to be put out of their misery. The Panthers likely could have beaten them. The Saints or Fowlgoons most assuredly would. Hopefully we can beat the Lions next Sunday, but I’m not confident. The Lions are a good team fighting for a Lombardi trophy that they have never had. They’re not crippled by injuries. Hopefully the Bucs can beat a good team that’s healthy. Last night was fantastic. Right now, I need a nap.
January 16th, 2024 at 11:19 am
Call me crazy but, I knew that the cold Tampa air was going to affect Filly.
January 16th, 2024 at 11:22 am
I loathe the Eagles and their fans.
So I declare Todd Bowles can stay put along with Baker.
January 16th, 2024 at 11:23 am
stpetebucfan
Well said.
January 16th, 2024 at 11:45 am
Tampa!…..Bay!…..Tampa!……Bay!!
Bucs can beat the Lions its a coin toss.
LFG GO BUCS!
January 16th, 2024 at 11:49 am
I was pleasantly surprised with the game-planning, the play-calling, and the effort.
To me, Bowles as the DC has his finest hour, a genius gameplan, against the Chiefs in the SB. Nobody saw that plan coming and it was a majestic masterpiece.
Last night’s gameplan was Bowles’ second finest hour. Sure, the Eagles were wounded and deflated, but had the Bucs played with lethargy as I was worried about, it would’ve been a 50/50 toss up as to who won. Bowles truly did a great job with the D last nite, and I’m impressed.
Canales called an outstanding game. I was impressed.
Excellent game, and excellent article, Ira.
Go Bucs ! ! !
January 16th, 2024 at 11:55 am
The front four is going to need to go to work against Detroit because we’re gonna need to play a lot more coverage against all of Detroit’s recieving options. Keep everything in front of us and force field goal attempts in the redzone.
January 16th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
No matter what happens next Sunday, I will continue to be proud of my team. Something was brewing team-wise in that cheerleading video in the locker room after the Atlanta game. Both Bowles and Wirfs led the cheers joined by every player in there. Fantastic. Go Bucs!
January 16th, 2024 at 1:11 pm
“Last week we were two penalties away from not making the playoffs at all. We couldn’t score a TD against the worst team in the worst division in the league. The Fleagles were a team playing to be put out of their misery.”
Blah blah blah blah blah!!!
Some of you guys could get lucky with magnificent babe and then gripe afterward…but yeah she forgot to bring the condom. Is anything ever going to be enough for you?
Because I guarantee you can find something wrong with EVERY freaking team in the league!!! You can also find some good stuff…IF YOU WANT TO!!!
January 16th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Imagine, just imagine if our recievers knew how to catch footballs consistently. Baker would have had a game like the one in Green Bay. Footballs shouldn’t be flying off of your hands if you are a reciever in the NFL, just saying.
January 16th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Detroit barely got past the Rams. The Bucs can win this game and I think they will.
January 16th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
* Tampa is a nice place to visit in mid-January, but did ESPN really need more than 300 credentials for this matchup?
Long line at the buffet Sage?
January 16th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
ModHairKen Says:
January 16th, 2024 at 9:09 am
Sorry, Ira. Hainsey and Stinnie were not solid. They were the absolute weakest links. They both need to look in the mirror today and commit to being better against Detroit.
The Bucs made tons of mistakes that are getting overlooked. Dropped passes. Players turning the wrong way. Bad coverage. Taking sacks in FG range. Blown coverage by All Pros.
They better stop reading all the accolades about themselves and start preparing for Detroit as if Philadelphia never happened.
Get complacent, get run.
And the “fans” will turn on you if you play poorly against Detroit.
__________
The most sober post of the day.
I’ll add to that, that we got away with a ton of penalties not being called on us.
It’s a great win though and hopefully we keep it up in Detroit.
Any word on if Team Glazer has made it rain for ME13 yet?
😉
January 16th, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Well said, Stpetebucfan!
January 16th, 2024 at 3:04 pm
Mauch got mauled too.
Detroits skill players are plentiful. It won’t be easy.
But I’m saying there a chance…😁
January 16th, 2024 at 4:48 pm
A few here are mentioning the penalties that weren’t called on the Bucs. Most point to the face mask against Hurts on the 2point conversion. forward progress was already stopped and basically the play was over. Worst case they get two more points to lose 32-11. What about the PI penalty against Otten at the goal line that wasn’t called? Or the 3 or 4 holding calls by the Eagles o line that weren’t called, especially the holding on the long pass play to Smith? We can play this “what was or wasn’t called” game all day.
As much as I hate to say it the Refs are part of the game for better or worse, it’s a badly officiated sport. It’s why I stopped being fanatical about football, and instead just enjoy it for what it is and I certainly enjoyed the Bucs roasting the Eagles.
Also the Bucs lost 6 out of 7 at one point, just like the Eagles, except the Eagles imploded, while the Bucs rallied to win 5 of 6, made the playoffs and kicked butt, thats kudos to the coaching staff and the players sticking together and addressing the issues. This Bucs team should be appreciated for that and for playing hard whether they beat Detroit or not.
January 16th, 2024 at 6:14 pm
I don’t think any of us thought we would be having this conversation in January. Go BUCS!!!! LFG!!!!!
January 16th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Defense Rules
Amen
January 16th, 2024 at 6:53 pm
Lord Cornelius (Aka LC)
I see you, brotha!
January 16th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
stpetebucfan
Happy to see you alive and well, sir!
January 16th, 2024 at 6:58 pm
A reason I am hopeful is the Lions aren’t that good against the pass…hopefully Canales keeps airing it out!! I also think our D is much better since they beat us, so we have a legitimate chance at this!!
January 16th, 2024 at 7:36 pm
Here are my takeaways:
1) We are seeing the evolution of the offense, particularly a greater use of the RBs as receivers. That’s dangerous for opposing defenses.
2) The second and third efforts by R. White lifted the spirits of many Bucs fans.
3) Blitz pressure was effective, and I am eager to see what they can do against Goff.
4) David Moore was a great pick up!
5) The Bucs D neutralized Goedert.
6) The Bucs’ interior linemen are a concern, but there’s nothing that the team can do about that at this point. You’ve got to ride with the horses that brought you here.
7) Iggles: in addition to the poor tackling on defense, I can’t get over the 0/9 stat on third down conversions on offense! The Iggles will lose so many veterans to retirement that it will be an almost completely different team. I don’t feel sorry for them.
8) The game was largely at a standstill until the late in the 3rd quarter when LVD tackled the Iggles’ RB for a loss. That eventually led to the safety. It was all downhill after that.
9) It’s amazing that the Bucs accomplished what they have with $81 million in dead cap.
10) Bucs’s players were telling us all week that they were a different team when they played the Eagles earlier in the season, let’s hope that the same applies when they play Detroit.