Eagles vs Bucs

The Eagles Survive Second Half Scare From Bucs 31-25

Brandon Ellis

The Eagles were up 24-6 at halftime of this contest, carrying some momentum from the Jordan Davis field goal block against the Rams for that first half, thanks to a blocked punt that Sydney Brown returned for a touchdown. Two Dallas Goedert Touchdowns in the first half bolstered the Eagles’ offense. But the Second Half was a much different story for the Eagles’ offense, as they only scored seven points thanks to the Defense forcing a Bucky Irving fumble. Things still need to be fixed, but it’s better to learn from a 31-25 win. But things need to be polished a bit more.

Michael Clay’s Special Teams has stepped up this season

The Eagles’ special teams had two blocked return touchdowns in back-to-back for the first time since 2014. Michael Clay has his unit playing great football this season. The one thing they need to clean up is maintaining rush lanes on returns, because Tampa Bay’s returner, Kameron Johnson, had a good game returning, especially in that second half. But another huge win for Special Teams for the defending champs this week. 

Quinyon Mitchell is ELITE

Eagles Quinyon Mitchell vs Bucs
Sep 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Quinyon Mitchell’s Coverage was a difference maker in this game. Mitchell only allowed two receptions for six yards when Baker Mayfield targeted Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin, with Mitchell guarding them. Mitchell had five pass deflections in this game as well. He was all over the field. Quinyon Mitchell’s coverage was a big part of this game for the Defense. Speaking of the defense, here’s my next takeaway: the DEFENSE strikes again. 

 

The Eagles’ Defense Was the Reason for the Survival 

Vic Fangio has to be mad at the defense for giving up the two long bombs to Egbuka and Irving, but the defense made plays when needed to especially with the offense sputtering like they did in the second half after a great start in the first half. But Jihaad Campbell’s two key plays of forcing the Irving fumble and intercepting Mayfield were the crucial turning points of that game for the Eagles to pull across the finish line and come out of the HEAT of Tampa Bay with the Win. 

 

The Eagles’ Offensive Line and Kevin Patullo need to clean it UP

The Second Half Offense of the Eagles looked exactly like the Eagles in the first half vs the Rams, and when we, Philadelphia fans, thought that the struggles wouldn’t last but they reared their ugly head again when it came to the halftime adjustments. Also, the main issues are the lack of consistent play calling from Patullo and the Offensive Line play. There was one Eagles offensive sequence that Hurts tried to force the ball to AJ on all three plays, but all three of them were hitch routes where the defense could easily break on the ball. They need to get the crossing routes, slants, etc. Back into this offense soon. 

 

Also, the Offensive Line is not playing great football throughout the sixty minutes, especially in the run blocking. 2024 to 2025 is night and day different in terms of the running plays thus far this season. I think the Eagles will be fine, and they are obviously in great shape at the moment, with them being 4-0 right now, but the things that should better much cleaner need to be cleaner as soon as possible. 

 

Both of these things can be true that Kevin Patullo’s struggles as a play caller and the Offensive Line issues are there, but at the End of the day, it was like what Saquon said to the media afterwards, “When we’re firing, we’re really hard to stop. When we’re playing bad, we’re playing really bad. So we just gotta do a better job of playing better than worse.” 

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