“The Glazed Look of Classic Underachievers”
January 13th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
The Buccaneers experienced their share of stress this season. Meet the Eagles, who have turned drama into an art form.
As the Monday night wild-card game approaches, Tampa Bay players and coaches appear to be on the same page. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is one loss away from writing the NFL’s definitive book on historic collapses.
On paper, the Eagles boast superior talent.
They were 10-1 for a reason. They represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last year for a reason. But their disarray, on and off the field, now stamps them as a favorable matchup for the NFC South champions.
The visitors are favorites because there’s always a chance the Eagles will snap out of an extended funk and play up to their capabilities. Tampa Bay’s offense has done little to inspire confidence in the past two weeks and Baker Mayfield is nursing rib and ankle injuries.
When these teams were healthier, the Eagles spanked the Bucs on the road in Week 3. Philadelphia owned the line of scrimmage, running for 201 yards, converting 10-of-16 on third down and keeping possession for 39 minutes.
So why is this a good matchup for the Bucs?
Because camaraderie matters. Teamwork matters. Playing for the guy next to you matters. On that front, the Bucs should be favored by two touchdowns.
The 2023 season hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride for the Bucs. Devin White allowed his frustration with his contract status to affect his play.
Tampa Bay dropped 6-of-7 after a 3-1 start, prompting national speculation about the job security of Todd Bowles. Chris Godwin’s wife took to social media, lashing out at Bowles while suggesting her husband wasn’t getting enough respect.for his work ethic.
Guess what? Been there and done that. On the eve of the postseason, the Bucs look like a together team.
There were a lot of smiles in the Tampa Bay locker room this week, plenty of apparent confidence.
It may not be the “We Are Family” theme of Willie Stargell’s 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, but this club is focused and energized.
Team Turmoil
The same can’t be said for the reeling Eagles, who have the glazed look of classic underachievers. There is turmoil brewing within the organization and a flurry of key injuries isn’t helping.
Jalen Hurts hurt his throwing hand last week and wide receiver A.J. Brown, like Mike Evans a second-team All-Pro, is hacked off, probably because he hasn’t reached the end zone in the past six games.
The local media has been unrelenting, pounding the organization for sloppy play, ineffective coaching and lack of passion.
“The only thing the Eagles can count on right now is that the offensive line can block and we can run the football,” says former Philly wide receiver Jason Avant. “The other thing you can control is not turning the ball over. I don’t think we can count on our defensive line to get home. I don’t think we can count on our secondary to cover.”
There is speculation that Nick Sirianni, only a year removed from the Super Bowl, could be jettisoned if the Eagles are eliminated on Stormy Monday.
That’s not the way a franchise wants to enter postseason play.
The Eagles lack momentum, having dropped 5-of-6. More importantly, they have lost their swagger. If the Bucs can start fast — a big if — those 10,000 Eagles fans at Raymond James Stadium will turn on the visitors in a hurry.
Here’s an opportunity for the Bucs to make amends for last year’s dreadful playoff performance against Dallas. Another NFC East heavyweight is coming to town, this time on the ropes, ripe for a fall.
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January 13th, 2024 at 3:25 am
Time for Lavontae David to take control.
January 13th, 2024 at 3:30 am
It doesn’t matter what the rest of the team does if the same Baker shows up that has been out there the last two weeks. If we good Baker, they got a chance. If the awful QB from the last two weeks shows up, then the Bucs are going to lose by double digits.
It all comes down to Baker, no excuses, no bull about injuries or its windy, just go out and win the game, and then he’ll be back. Lose the game, go out with three bad performances in a row when the pressure was on, then get lost.
Every franchise QB I’ve heard of loves pressure like that, and this is when they step up.
January 13th, 2024 at 3:37 am
Come on Ira, Give us some of that magical inside connection information like how exactly banged up is Baker and the full reason why Trask is glued to the pine while Baker looks like the walking dead.
The above stuff we already know. Its time as the playoffs begin to give us some of that Kaufman info fairy dust.
January 13th, 2024 at 3:43 am
Rod Munch Says:
It all comes down to Baker, no excuses, no bull about injuries or its windy, just go out and win the game, and then he’ll be back. Lose the game, go out with three bad performances in a row when the pressure was on, then get lost.
—-
Mush I thank you for your 70 posts saying the same thing this week (hoping against hope that Baker falls Monday night) . It gives me that old nostalgia feeling like when the needle of my Grandma’s vinyl player would hit a scratch.
January 13th, 2024 at 5:26 am
You are indeed the Sage!
Turmoil or not we better comeout swinging Ira.
Go Bucs!
January 13th, 2024 at 6:01 am
Sloppy play, ineffective coaching and lack of passion. Hmmm, that sounds awfully familiar.
January 13th, 2024 at 6:43 am
Ira … ‘If the Bucs can start fast — a big if — those 10,000 Eagles fans at Raymond James Stadium will turn on the visitors in a hurry.’
Starting fast is THE KEY for the Bucs IMO. Let the Eagles get ahead and they’ll run us into the ground.
And Rod, I agree with you about ‘good Baker’ needs to show up or we’re toast, but the same can be said for every other player. This team (like every team) feeds off each other. BIG PLAYS lead to other BIG PLAYS. We also need Bowles & Canales to come up with the game plans of their lives, because Monday night is our biggest game of the season.
January 13th, 2024 at 6:50 am
“Philadelphia owned the line of scrimmage, running for 201 yards, converting 10-of-16 on third down and keeping possession for 39 minutes.”
Someone – anyone..please explain to me again why Todd Bowles keeps getting described as a defensive genius and guru.
January 13th, 2024 at 7:03 am
@LT Dan
Becuase despite de lack of talent (except Winfield and LVD and sometimes Vea) he gets the Job done.
When he had talent, with JPP Suh etc the defense was extaordinary, today he has not the talent and he gets the best of Yaya Kancey etc.
Sometimes fans need to understand that this roster is not very talented because of cap issues, and still we are in playoffs.
This defense is playing with CDIIi and Dean that are twos clear liabilities.
Is not that difficult.
January 13th, 2024 at 7:46 am
Starting fast? The Bucs haven’t had a open drive touchdown all season. Good Luck.
January 13th, 2024 at 8:14 am
If Bucs rush for 100 yards they win the game , a big if , but it can be done. On defense make Jalen Hurts beat you , stack the box and let the dogs of war loose on Hurts. Special teams has to come up with 1 big play somewhere and Camarda and McLaughlin continue their good play.
January 13th, 2024 at 8:16 am
Lt. Dan, it’s simple. A couple of years back TB stopped Mahomes and the Chiefs from scoring a TD during the Superbowl! Has any other DC done that? And please no rationalization of why that happened, we’re talking about Patrick Mahomes in his prime.
Of course this is a “what have you done for me lately league”, and that was then and this is now. The defense at best is much like the offense… IMHO
January 13th, 2024 at 8:17 am
Cont. Inconsistent
January 13th, 2024 at 8:42 am
Oh for sure Rod – the Bucs should resign Jameis. Jameis no doubt would’ve thrown for 8 thousand yards and 70 touchdowns. We can do fake victory formations, and players can be serenaded with his high IQ pre game speeches weekly. #teamjameis! FSU wUz rObBeD
January 13th, 2024 at 8:49 am
No sale Ira. Eagles could sleepwalk to victory in this one.
January 13th, 2024 at 8:58 am
Sloppy play, ineffective coaching and lack of passion. That sounds oddly familiar.
January 13th, 2024 at 9:16 am
For a team that doesn’t run the ball well 75 yards rushing should be the threshold. 289 to 305 yards passing plus a defensive that doesn’t fall backwards is the key. If the Eagles have been described by their local pen and paper as being one step away from total collapse mode, look out. I don’t like those odds. Defense: keep everything infront of you, especially Hurts. Keep him guessing and make his feet tap. Offense: keep your third downs manageable and don’t telegraph the run. Use Godwin on crossing patterns and try some deep passes to Palmer(make sure he holds on to the damn ball). Finally for coach Bowles, this might be your last head coaching gig. Show a little emotion on the sideline and don’t hog tie the offense. Remember you are suppose to be a defensive guru. Cross your legs and bring your index fingers and thumbs together and get to work, this might be your biggest test ever, ever!
January 13th, 2024 at 9:17 am
For a team that doesn’t run the ball well 75 yards rushing should be the threshold. 289 to 305 yards passing plus a defense that doesn’t fall backwards is the key. If the Eagles have been described by their local pen and paper as being one step away from total collapse mode, look out. I don’t like those odds. Defense: keep everything infront of you, especially Hurts. Keep him guessing and make his feet tap. Offense: keep your third downs manageable and don’t telegraph the run. Use Godwin on crossing patterns and try some deep passes to Palmer(make sure he holds on to the damn ball). Finally for coach Bowles, this might be your last head coaching gig. Show a little emotion on the sideline and don’t hog tie the offense. Remember you are suppose to be a defensive guru. Cross your legs and bring your index fingers and thumbs together and get to work, this might be your biggest test ever, ever!
January 13th, 2024 at 9:36 am
Let’s hope we hear boos coming from Eagles fans at games end. No sweeter sound.
January 13th, 2024 at 9:42 am
Tony, right? That munchie post has been patiently waiting for repaste all week long. As if the fan base doesn’t know that if the quarterback performs well, we’ll have a much better chance. Genius! Hey, he’s doing it for the simpletons. Or something like that. I guess.
January 13th, 2024 at 10:14 am
The Bucs start fast?
:guffaw:
This team has been OK at best, and terrible at worst.
January 13th, 2024 at 10:22 am
007…..I think those people worship a person whether he plays well or not. Or something like that. I don’t guess.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:10 am
I thought this was an article about what Todd Bowles looks like all the time. I mean, it is.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:15 pm
Munch is spot on, if Mayfield plays like last two weeks the Bucs are in trouble, this isn’t the Panthers. If he plays like he did at GreenBay they will be tough to beat.
January 14th, 2024 at 10:34 am
Broken ribs and ankle and the coaches and Fakerboifans still think he can lead this team to a win over the Eagles. A wounded chihuahua cannot beat a wounded pitbull. Only way the Bucs can even attempt to run the offense that Blowels and Cornales want is if they put 6 linemen on the front and a fullback in the back and run Edmunds and leave White to catch passes.
January 14th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
A lot of the usual dumbazzed clickbait on here. The backup QBs have been practicing with the first team offense all week. BM has been trying to heal and cheering them. I can’t speak for Philly ‘cept Bucs have played them more than any other team in their history. Philly might as well be a Division foe. Weather calls for rain, hopefully no storms as cold front is coming. Bucs will do it. Go Tampa Bay!!
January 14th, 2024 at 12:30 pm
*playoff history*
January 14th, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Earlier comment in moderation. Big deal. SNORT!