by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Jan 12, 2022
Game time: 1:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Buccaneers -8.5; O/U 46
BetMGM: Buccaneers -8.5; O/U 45.5
Caesars: Buccaneers -8.5; O/U 46
Season record
Eagles: 9-8, No. 7 seed (2nd place, NFC East)
Buccaneers: 13-4, No. 2 seed (Clinched NFC South)
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Eagles - Buccaneers preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Eagles: lost 51-26 vs. Cowboys
Buccaneers: won 41-17 vs. Panthers
It almost seems comical that Tom Brady finds himself in another playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
It almost seems comical that Tom Brady finds himself in another playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Get this man against the NFC East and see what happens, I guess.
But it’s going to be Brady’s revenge on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin their Super Bowl defense against the Eagles during Wild Card Weekend. The Bucs, the No. 2 seed in the NFC, could have at least two home playoff games before a potential return to Lambeau Field for an NFC Championship matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
A lot has to happen to get back to that point, but given how this was one of Brady’s best seasons of his career, counting him out at age 44 almost feels like a do-it-at-your-own-risk type of deal.
Brady led the NFL with 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns in his second season with Tampa Bay, completing 67 percent of his passes as he begins his quest for his eighth Super Bowl championship.
The Buccaneers went 13-4 and won their first NFC South title since 2007; Tampa Bay won three games on the road at Washington, New Orleans and Green Bay to get an impromptu home-field Super Bowl in which the Bucs dominated 31-9 against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tampa Bay ended the season with a 41-17 win against the Carolina Panthers, a score that definitely indicates how they dominated the division rival twice in three weeks. Brady threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns one week after that whole debacle with Antonio Brown. Some say Brown is still in the bowels of MetLife Stadium contemplating if he wants to go back out there.
"It just felt good to win today. Whatever happened with other teams, you can't ever control any of those things. Even for the next game. ... you're worrying about two games from now. I'm not worried about two games from now, I'm worried about one game from now, which is the Eagles," Brady said.
This is the first time the Buccaneers and Eagles have met in the playoffs since Jan. 19, 2003. That was the NFC Championship Game where the Bucs defense dominated the Eagles 27-10 and eventually winning their first Super Bowl in the Jon Gruden Bowl against the Oakland Raiders.
This Bucs defense isn’t as dominant as the ’03-’04 group, but it’s still an athletic defense that can win games. Tampa Bay’s group has allowed 20.8 points and only 331.5 yards per game. It needs to take a special offense to score on Tampa Bay, and I don’t think the Eagles are it.
Philadelphia won six of its final seven games to get back to the playoffs, but the level of competition was far from impressive; wins came against the Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, twice to the Washington Football team, and both New York teams.
Jalen Hurts had a fairly good all-around season finishing just shy of 4,000 total yards to go with 26 total touchdowns. But athletic defenses, much like Tampa’s, can keep Hurts in the pocket and not let him scramble. His ability to extend plays can give Philly a chance on offense, and any chance to keep Brady off the field is a good opportunity.
That will not happen here. I don’t know if Brady gets to another Super Bowl, but he can tear this Eagles defense apart. Philadelphia is about to get served a piece of humble pie after going through cakewalks over the final two months. I like Tampa Bay to roll by three scores. Buccaneers by 17
Betting trends
The Eagles are 11-14 ATS in road games over the past three seasons.
The Eagles are 22-10 ATS since 1992 off a loss by 21 points or more.
The Buccaneers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven against NFC East teams.
The Buccaneers are 6-2 ATS at home this season.
Statistical leaders
Eagles:
Passing: Jalen Hurts -- 3,144 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT
Rushing: Jalen Hurts -- 784 yards, 10 TD
Receiving: DeVonta Smith -- 916 yards, 5 TD
Defense: Josh Sweat -- 7.5 sacks
Buccaneers:
Passing: Tom Brady -- 5,316 yards, 43 TD, 12 INT
Rushing: Leonard Fournette -- 812 yards, 8 TD
Receiving: Chris Godwin -- 1,103 yards, 5 TD
Defense: Shaquil Barrett -- 10 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
