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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Eagles vs. Bucs: 10 takeaways from first half as Tampa leads 16-9 in NFC wild card game

Eagles NFC Tampa Baker Mayfield Bucs DAndre Swift David Moore Philadelphia Eagles USA TODAY Sports DeVonta Smith

The Eagles were nearly run out of Raymond James Stadium, but after some timely drops by the Buccaneers and a renewed effort on defense, they trailed 16-9 at halftime.

Julio Jones had three catches in the first half for 22 yards before exiting with a concussion, and Philadelphia held Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to a combined two catches for 30 yards on seven targets.

With the second half set to begin, we’re looking at takeaways from a hard-fought first half.

Baker Mayfield clicking early

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 3 game against the Eagles, Mayfield had 79 yards in the first half, finished with 146.

Halfway through the first quarter, Mayfield was 5-for-10 for 105 and a touchdown in two opening drives.

In all, Mayfield was 11 of 24 passing, for 174 yards and one touchdown.

Bucs first drive

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles cornerbacks Bradley Roby (33) and James Bradberry (24) defend during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

After the Eagles could not get off the field on third down, Tampa went on a 12-PLAY, 65-YARD drive that ate up 4:58 of the clock and ended with a Chase McLaughlin 28-yard field goal.

Baker Mayfield was 3 of 7 passing, for 39 yards on the drive, with seven rushing yards.

Rachaad White got off to a solid start with three carries for 19 yards (6.3 avg).

Eagles open up with a run and then what

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

After running the ball with D’Andre Swift on the first two plays of the gme, the Eagles called a pass on 11 of the next 12 plays.

D’Andre Swift had four carries for 16 yards in the first half, and Eagles running backs had five total carries for 17 yards.

More identity issues

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

After establishing some confidence with the running game, the Eagles diverted away from the plan. on third-and-2, the Eagles went for a deep throw to Dallas Goedert, despite averaging 5.5 per carry with D’Andre Swift.

Through one quarter of play, the Eagles had run 8 plays, for 26 yards, and 2 punts.

Late in the second quarter, that number had only risen to 26 plays, 182 yards and five offensive drives.

Eagles refuse to communicate

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver David Moore (19) runs the ball for a touchdown after a reception as Philadelphia Eagles cornerbacks Avonte Maddox (29) and Kelee Ringo (22) attempt to tackle during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Whether it is man or zone coverage, all Avonte Maddox and Eli Ricks have to do is communicate and pass the receivers off to each other.

There is no communication, the two players run into eacher other and a David Moore is dominating the Eagles on the way to a 44 yard touchdown.

David Moore

TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 15: David Moore #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball to score a 44 yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin having quiet first halfs, Moore led the Buccaneers with two catches for 66 yards and the touchdown.

James Bradberry benched

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) defends during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Bradberry had an eventful first half and would eventually find himself in a rotation with Kelee Ringo at the outside cornerback spot.

Eagles struggling to handle the blitz

TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 15: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

It hasn’t been all bad, and even with his struggles against the Blitz, Hurts is 14-20 passing, for 165 yards, one touchdown and a 111.5 quarterback rating.

Of those 14 receptions, four have gone to DeVonta Smith for 111 yards.

Josh Sweat

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) tackles during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Sweat logged two tackles, one tackle for loss, one QB hit and his first sack in weeks.

DeVonta Smith arrives

TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 15: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

With A.J. Brown out, Smith’s toughness carried the Eagles as the star wide receiver had four catches, for 111 yards (27.8 YPC) on 11 targets.

Tush Push gets stopped

Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Cade Otton

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) fends off Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow (41) during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Otton had four catches for 63 yards on seven targets in the first half.

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