Bird Redemption Part Two? Eagles VS. Buccaneers- By: Jake Long
Photo Creds- Philadelphia Eagles Facebook
The Philadelphia Eagles already got their redemption against Tom Brady in Super Bowl 52. Can they redeem another one of the franchises most heartbreaking losses this Sunday? January 19, 2003- NFC championship game. Buccaneers vs. Eagles. The last game at Veteran Stadium. Every Eagles fan alive at the time still carries the heartbreak of watching Ronde Barber run 92 yards for a pick 6 to crush another promising season. Yes, 19 years is a long time, but no one holds a grudge better than the Philly fanbase. Somehow this 2021 Eagles team snuck into the playoffs. Now it’s time to redeem that loss to the Bucs and defeat the GOAT one more time. Here are my 3 keys to an Eagles win:
1. RUN THE BALL!
Nick Siriani has started the last few games passing. Not sure if that was to build Hurts’ confidence or what, but they cannot get in a shootout with this Bucs offense. Run the ball early and often! That’s what this team is built to do. They broke the franchise record for rushing yards with 2,715 and averaging 4.9 YPC. The Bucs defense defended the run well to begin the year, but that’s because teams would throw all over their poor secondary. For the season, the Bucs defense allowed 92.5 rushing yards per game. In the last 7 games they have allowed 112.7, including long runs of 55, 39, 33, and 29 yards. The Eagles backfield should have everyone back, including Miles Sanders, who has had his ups and downs but still remains the backfield’s most explosive threat. Throw in Jalen Hurts’ ability to run the ball and that could really hurt the Bucs’ defense. Running the ball is not only the strength of the offense but can control the clock and keep the Buccaneers #2 ranked offense off the field. If the Eagles want a chance, they have to stick to the ground game!
2. Jonathan Gannon
Gannon’s approach this year has been poor. In the Eagles regular season matchup with the Bucs, Tom Brady had all day to throw, and it showed as he completed 81% of his passes. The Eagles’ defense has looked bad this year, except when they play backup and 3rd string QBs. Well, this week it’s the GOAT, and Gannon cannot rely on his overrated defensive line to get pressure by themselves. They haven’t done it all season. Eagles’ defense only have 29 sacks on the year- 2nd worst in the NFL. I know it is hard to blitz Brady, but you have to send pressure every once in a while, and get him off of his spot. With Godwin being out and Antonio Brown being released, the Bucs are forced to play some inexperienced wide receivers, which could lead to timing issues. I have no confidence in Gannon to disguise coverages or blitzes because I have yet to see it. But if he has them in the playbook, it’s time to pull them out! Gannon is getting head coaching buzz and what a perfect way to show teams what he can do!
3. Turnovers
This is the obvious one. Win the turnover battle and win the game. Easier said than done. The Eagles break even in the turnover battle for the season (16 takeaways, 16 giveaways). The Bucs are much better with a +10 (29 takeaways, 19 giveaways). If the Eagles establish the run, it is less likely they turn the ball over. Brady has 3 multi-interception games this season. With some of Brady’s targets missing, the Eagles need to take chances at creating turnovers.
The Eagles are 8.5-point underdogs this Sunday in Tampa Bay but, Tampa was the heavy underdog in Philly 19 years ago! Time for redemption! RUN, BLITZ, TURNOVERS and the Eagles can heal our hearts with an upset victory over the defending Super Bowl Champions!
-Jake Long- Rumble Fumble Live/ Olde City Sports Network
