Eagles (11-6) at Bucs (9-8)
Monday, 8:15 ET, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida TV: ESPN/ABC/ESPN Deportes Spread (BetMGM):
Eagles by 2.5
Eagles’ keys to victory: Philadelphia’s defense has been deplorable as of late, so tightening up the secondary will be the biggest key. Tampa Bay’s secondary is also bad, so ensuring that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and his passing game weapons find a groove will be equally crucial. Taking advantage of the 32nd-ranked passing defense would work wonders for a team that’s lost five of its past six games. Keeping tabs on superstar Antoine Winfield Jr. to limit misfortune would serve Philly well.
Buccaneers’ keys to victory: The Bucs are streaky. OC Dave Canales needs to ensure his play calling isn’t predictable, and head coach Todd Bowles will have to practice scheming with his secondary to avoid the kind of dreadful coverage busts that have been occurring weekly. The run game will be important, and designing a game plan to attack the Eagles in space with RB Rachaad White could pay dividends.
Matchup to watch: Bucs QB Baker Mayfield vs. Eagles’ secondary. Mayfield is clearly still feeling the effects of a late hit to his ribs by Saints S Tyrann Mathieu. He’s been off-and-on all season, and he’ll want to be on when he faces an Eagles team that has given up at least 25 points in every game but one since Week 12.
Who wins? The Bucs have made the playoffs, but they are not a playoff team. The Eagles have looked like one of the worst teams the past few weeks, but they are better coached and have been in these positions quite recently. The Bucs will try their best to defend the Bay, but they’ll come up short.
Eagles, 27-14