Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Eagles
September 29th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
THAT’S how you rebound from a clunker.
The Bucs polished off a 3-1 September with a dominating victory against the Eagles on a field so sizzling that an Eagle player needed to plop into an ice bath near the locker room while the game was still in progress.
Tampa Bay was equally hot on both sides of the ball in a 33-16 triumph that wasn’t even that close. In taking a 24-0 advantage midway through the second quarter, the Bucs owned a 252-0 advantage in total yards.
You read that right.
The beatdown was in stark contrast to last week’s humiliating 26-7 loss to Denver. After seething for six days, Tampa Bay took its frustrations out on the favored visitors.
Baker Mayfield threw for 237 yards in the opening half and the Bucs ended a 23-game streak of not scoring a touchdown on their opening possession.
Everything was clicking early against a Philadelphia defense that limited the Saints to only 12 points last week. The Bucs own the top spot in the NFC South heading into a Thursday night matchup in Atlanta.
Bright lights, big city.
With Tom Brady in the broadcast booth, Mayfield completed 12-of-13 passes for 138 yards and two scores as Tampa Bay grabbed a quick 14-0 lead.
Saquon Barkley, the league’s leading rusher entering the game, was no factor until he burst 59 yards on the opening snap of the second half. Without that run, Barkley would have had 25 yards on nine carries.
Just when things became dicey late in the third quarter, with the Eagles trailing 30-16 and driving, Lavonte David turned in the play of the day with a sack-strip against Jalen Hurts. Earlier in the quarter, Philadelphia pulled within 24-14 before Mayfield led a 12-play, 70-yard march capped by Bucky Irving’s first pro TD, a 1-yard scamper off left end behind Tristan Wirfs on third down.
Irving and Rachaad White each gained 49 yards on 10 carries to provide balance for a Liam Coen offense that kept the Eagles off balance. Overall, Tampa Bay rolled up 29 first downs and 445 yards … without a turnover.
The Eagles fans in the crowd — and there were thousands of them — left the stadium both sweaty and bewildered by the lopsided nature of the competition.
Here’s how the Bucs opened at 3-1 for the second consecutive year:
* David turns 35 in January but he is playing like he’s 25. He led the Bucs with eight stops and was credited with two of Tampa Bay’s six sacks. Next stop, Canton?
* The margin of victory could have been even bigger had rookie receiver Kameron Johnson not dropped a potential TD pass late in the second quarter. The Bucs settled for a Chase McLaughlin FG. It was a rare miscue by the Bucs in a crisp performance.
* Todd Bowles won’t be happy with the film of Philadelphia’s blocked extra-point attempt. Kelee Ringo ran it back all the way for a 2-point score that made it 30-16.
* As expected, the Bucs went to Mike Evans early and often after two quiet games. Evans caught 8 of the 14 throws Mayfield sent his way for 94 yards, including a 2-yard grab that opened the scoring. Cade Otton and Chris Godwin added six receptions apiece as Mayfield completed passes to eight different targets.
* Hurts doesn’t look like the same dynamic quarterback who led the Eagles to the Super Bowl two years ago and finished second in voting for league MVP. He never looked comfortable against the blitzing Bucs, averaging only 5.3 yards per pass attempt with his top two wideouts out with injury.
* The Bucs have to be feeling good about themselves before facing an Atlanta team that narrowly avoided a 1-3 start by rallying past the Saints. It was the comeback victory in Atlanta that turned the Buc season around in 2023 as Otton caught the late game-winner.
* Mayfield’s protection was solid. He was sacked only twice while throwing 47 passes, a marked improvement for an offensive line that was ravaged a week ago.
* Warren Sapp, a grad assistant on Colorado’s staff, made an appearance in Sunday’s press box the day after the Buffs trounced UCF in Orlando. Sapp had to be proud of Tampa Bay’s furious pass rush.
* The obvious defensive priority for Bowles was containing Barkley. The scheme worked with the exception of a 59-yard run that gave Philadelphia some brief momentum. “It’s tough when you’re down 21-0,” Barkley said. “We’ve got to start fast and play better complementary football. We haven’t done that.”
* Hurts is in no hurry to face Bowles’ defense. Factoring in Sunday’s setback with last season’s playoff loss at Tampa, Hurts has been sacked nine times while the Eagles scored a total of 25 points.
September 29th, 2024 at 6:29 pm
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, something to cream over…
IRA,
MVP
MVP
September 29th, 2024 at 6:45 pm
Love how they were aggressive and clearly looking to get an early lead. That kept Barkley out of the picture and they had no receivers. This may have been a different game if the Eagles have their horses outside but nonetheless a great game by our Bucs. They were fast and hungry and the play calling was absolutely perfect. Vea made a huge difference. Some more huge games in the coming weeks. Bucs have a chance to really put the rest of the division behind them. GO BUCS!
September 29th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
Solid effort by a solid team. Similar game plan for the Falcons game i would think.
September 29th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
YOU LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Redskins 3-1
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!
Bucs are looking REAL GOOD after the Skins, Skinning everyone but a Buc an Ear
September 29th, 2024 at 7:07 pm
Mayfield let the ball fly a lot quicker this week which helped the line play better.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Yes, there were “thousands” of Iggles fans, but the Bucs fans were loud. I was proud to see that!
I held my breath when Mayfield was sacked on the naked bootleg. The Bucs love to run that play, and I knew that it would catch up with them at some point. Be careful!
Yes, the pass rush was great, although how many blitzes did Bowles call? Coach Bowles was throwing everything at Hurts.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:11 pm
Great point Ira, but I’m surprised that Baker Mayfield didn’t get more kudos for his exceptional rebound from the Denver game. He’s now 91-of-129 for 70.5% through 4 games. And he’s thrown for 984 yards, putting him on-track for 4,182 yards on the season, with 34 TDs against only 9 INTs. Much more importantly, he’s led us to a 3-1 start against some very credible competition.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
BigPoppaBuc Says:
September 29th, 2024 at 6:45 pm
Love how they were aggressive and clearly looking to get an early lead. That kept Barkley out of the picture and they had no receivers. This may have been a different game if the Eagles have their horses
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And if the Bucs had the best safety in the game, and their stud pass rusher, and their starting RT, and that scrub Johnson didn’t drop the ball for a TD, and that scrub Britt wasn’t on the roster giving up huge plays, the Bucs would have won by 40.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:20 pm
* The obvious defensive priority for Bowles was containing Barkley. The scheme worked with the exception of a 59-yard run that gave Philadelphia some brief momentum.
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And if Britt, aka the new Ryan Neal, takes a better angle, that play is stuffed for a 2 yard gain.
When is Britt going to get the boot?
September 29th, 2024 at 7:27 pm
After seeing how the Broncos held Rodgers without a TD, maybe our loss to them wasn’t as bad as it seemed. We should also be grateful we played Washington in thr first game, because that team has been on fire since. Timing is everything, and we caught Philly at a good time with them missing both their top receivers. Immagine how we’d look without Evans, and Godwin playing.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Love Ira. My only complaint is, after questioning why Damar Hamlin should even be considered for cpoy last year, Ira turned around and voted hamlon ahead of Baker for the honor. Busted a great ticket for me 🙁
September 29th, 2024 at 7:31 pm
Hodad – The Jets have a bad offensive line, but even so, that Broncos defense looks like the Saints defense under Payton at their peak. I don’t think the Bucs were ready for it, and Baker was too busy gossiping about Brady to bother to prepare properly for that game. Hopefully Baker took that embarrassment personally and just keeps his head in the game, but we shall see. He was helped today by an excellent offensive game plan today, and I hope we see some more of that instead of the ultra predictable wasting downs running in obvious running situations nonsense.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:31 pm
Hodad
THIS IS A VAILD POINT…………. Good job pronoun unknown!!!
September 29th, 2024 at 7:34 pm
Great TEAM Win!! We’ll know more about the Bucs during the next 2 games! Short week/road game/division game! The Bucs need to play like today on Thursday!
September 29th, 2024 at 7:35 pm
I will say, the gang that was championing TRAP GAME vs Colorado has the opportunity to rub it in our face
The validation of a trap game comes the week after. CLEARLY, the Good Guys came with the wood today. Which creates reasonable doubt that they did not PREPARE properly for Denver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope that works as a learning moment. And I now agree, last week we got trapped into thinking ahead.
This should also be an article this week. NO EXCUSE for failing against the Broncos now
September 29th, 2024 at 7:46 pm
6 Sacks accomplished/2 sacks against .. much much better
September 29th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
Let’s go beat the flamingos of atl. Baker oughtta wanna play better than that cousins
September 29th, 2024 at 7:49 pm
Can we please put a stop to the obsession with making Jalen Hurts an upper tier quarterback? He is not. He’s a middling quarterback at best. Quite frankly, I’m getting sick and tired of him being shoved down our throats as “the next big thing.“ He is not.
I can’t remember a quarterback so overhyped it looks so unbelievably average.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:51 pm
@Rod Britt will get the lionshare now that Sirvocea is injured. Hope JJ Russell or that kid Grier can step up.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:55 pm
BTW, for those that care, I listened to about a half hour of the post-game Eagles broadcast, because I wanted to hear their fans having a meltdown, and in the short time I listened they had on three people, and all of them were demanding all their coaches be fired as they have a bye week coming up.
One guy was crying about the Eagles losing on his birthday when he had a bunch people over to his house. Seriously, what kind of man is talking about bad things happening on their birthday like like they’re a 13-year old girl? What an embarrassment.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:57 pm
When asked why Kyle Pitts didn’t have any catches today, Raheem resurrected the old “stats are for losers” statement. Ah, that takes you back.
September 29th, 2024 at 8:29 pm
Irishmist
AWESOM call back!!! Thank you for point out this GEM of a statement. Once again, hoping this is an article on JBF this week
September 29th, 2024 at 8:40 pm
Well, I believe that will be your responsibility, Mr. Kaufman.
Better start gathering your stats and writing your speeches now. Today’s game tape would be a good source to include.
September 29th, 2024 at 8:40 pm
Rod Munch. I’m enjoying a beer reading about you enjoying someone else’s misfortunes ( Eagles Fans ). There is a German word for that but not English. But that twerp complaining about his spoiled birthday needs slapped back to reality for sure. And I’m laughing thinking about someone tuning into postgame broadcasts ( you ) just to listen to the fresh angst of innocent fans. That gives me a good laugh to end a damn good day and for that this toast goes to you Rod Munch!
September 29th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
Kenton Smith
Nice, Cheers to the both of you
September 29th, 2024 at 8:53 pm
Great game drink up my friends and hydrate it will be Thursday soon enough !
September 29th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Now to the important stuff. Did anybody ask Devin White if he played Lavonte David or Kenny Britt while on the scout team last week?
September 29th, 2024 at 9:05 pm
Thanks WiseCrack, cheers to you too!!
September 29th, 2024 at 9:18 pm
Ira, don’t forget Hurts 1st playoff appearance vs the Bucs! Where the Eagles went into the off season pursuing Russ Wilson b/c of how bad we made him look lol.
September 29th, 2024 at 9:48 pm
So not a peep about Camarda?
September 29th, 2024 at 10:24 pm
Gotta keep the outside runs, screens and quick passes with deception going this week. One thing that Atlanta does have is a talented secondary. Terrell, Bates and Simmons are much better than what the Eagles had out there today, although I was impressed with that rookie Mitchell.
September 29th, 2024 at 10:24 pm
Remember when the sky was falling last week? This fan base is so irrational smh….
Cant even have a dud game without the fans having a complete meltdown.
So remember that the NFL is a long season with tons of up and downs before some of you morons start calling for Trask again as soon as Baker throws an incomplete pass next game.
September 29th, 2024 at 10:57 pm
Kenton Smith – It’s one of my favorite things to do since the dawn of the internet streaming live radio from other cities. Nothing is more fun than listening to a bunch of awful fans – and the Eagles fans are literally the worst – crying, calling for everyone to be fired, saying the season is over, etc etc etc after a week 4 loss that leaves them 2-2.
But the guy calling in about his birthday, you could feel the disgust of the hosts, but they didn’t call him out, which was really disappointing. They should have asked him how old he was and then just hung up as he started to eagerly answer.
September 29th, 2024 at 11:40 pm
lets be a little realistic about why jalen hurts didnt look good. how good would’ve baker looked without evans and godwin today?
September 30th, 2024 at 12:45 am
Mayfield’s protection was solid. He was sacked only twice while throwing 47 passes, a marked improvement for an offensive line that was ravaged a week ago.
_____
Not really true.
Coen schemed plays to minimize our weaknesses on the OL and did a hell of a job.
September 30th, 2024 at 1:17 am
^ correct
September 30th, 2024 at 2:29 am
What a difference better coaching makes. Still – Skule is awful.
September 30th, 2024 at 4:30 am
barkley does tend to get a breakaway run more often than others…it’s just part of his game – and he got one biggie yesterday…
otherwise our d held their running game in deep check
in fact, the bucs have jalen hurts in “deep check”
September 30th, 2024 at 4:33 am
also i think if the bucs can’t get any sacks – if it starts to happen again…lavonte will take matters into his own hands…
whatever the defense needs, lavonte will adjust and do…he’s a masterful player and practically like having a coach on the field…
#GiveThatManAyeGoldJacket (in due time)
September 30th, 2024 at 4:52 am
Right on point, Ira. Agreed, many of us were worried about Barkley and were pleasantly surprised he wasn’t a factor. Baker’s protection was good. It was great seeing him mix it up and giving everyone a chance for the ball. Hoping to see Mike break some records soon.
September 30th, 2024 at 5:53 am
Ira, how is Camarda not one of your 10 things?
Was this a one game thing to get him right mentally?
September 30th, 2024 at 8:31 am
Ira you too are on fire!
I do so hope those Smeagle fans have vowed to never again enter the hallowed halls of RayJay! Couldn’t happen to a more deserving bunch of asshats.
Go Bucs!