Buccaneers vs Eagles: How Tampa Bay Pulled Off the Upset Against Philadelphia in Wildcard Round

TAMPA, FLORIDA - Baker Mayfield (#6) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to throw a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo : Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Another monumental upset occurred on Monday Night Football as the Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-32.

The Eagles, who finished as runners-up to the Kansas City Chief in last year's Super Bowl, came in as the favorites in the game, although by just -3 points.

Two big teams from the NFC East are now out of the playoff picture as the Dallas Cowboys, which jumped over the Eagles to take the division title, also suffered a humiliating defeat in the hands of the Green Bay Packers.

The opinion about the Eagles' Super Bowl chances was polarizing before Monday night and became uglier as the game was ongoing.

They were like a ticking time bomb in the second half of the elimination round, losing five of their last six games.

Momentum and form are critical, and those are the things that the Eagles did not have coming into the Wildcard round game.

Read more: Biggest Factors in Kansas City Chiefs' Wild Card Win vs. Miami Dolphins

Whatever led to their losses in the second half haunted them back on Monday.

Tampa Bay was right there to sweep in.

Here's how the Buccaneers killed any hopes of the Eagles having a longer postseason run.

1. Eagles' absent defense, Baker Mayfield feast

The Buccaneers struggled to put up points on the board. In the important match against the Carolina Panthers, the worst team in the league, they had to bleed for nine points.

The Eagles made things look easy for them. The Buccaneers were dominant right out of the gate as they finished the first quarter with 178 yards gained on the way to a 10-0 lead.

Baker Mayfield, a journeyman quarterback, had a field day against the defense, who can't tackle anything. He threw for a total of 337 yards and three touchdowns.

His 44-yard touchdown pass to David Moore in the first quarter set the tone of the game. The Eagles tried to recover in the second quarter by outscoring their visitors 9-6, but they already put themselves in a deep hole.

2. Eagles players did not play together

Philadelphia Eagles players are talented on an individual level. However, they need to learn to play together.

There was little communication on the field between them, with some not knowing where to go.

Analyst Ray Lewis made the best assessment of the team's defense.

"Tackling is based on angles. When you see the angles these guys (the Eagles defenders) take and the way they approach tackling, it's crazy. Like nobody plays together. Put them in a cup. If you put (the offense) in a cup, you're not going to see plays like this. But everybody's playing individual football and that's insane to me."

3. Lacking offense 

Jalen Hurts had to play through a broken finger. He completed 25 for 35 for 250 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.

However, the other elements of the offensive design barely showed. With AJ Brown out due to injury, it was time for others to step up.

Olamide Zaccheus was a non-factor. DeVonta Smith played his part, but they needed more, recording 141 yards (111 receiving yards). Everybody else had 67.

Overall, they just managed 268 yards and went 0 for 11 on the third and fourth downs.

Related article: 3 Things That Went Wrong for Dallas Cowboys in Wildcard Round Loss to Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

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