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
Look away Eagles fans 😬
pic.twitter.com/IPb7NeM0Lp— PFF (@PFF) January 16, 2024
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.
Baker ➡️ Evans looking good early 🎯
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/hOLCLRwpAQ— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
In all, Mayfield was 11 of 24 passing, for 174 yards and one touchdown.
Bucs first drive
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
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.
First Eagles play of the game: A 9-yard run by D'Andre Swift out of a two-tight end offensive package.
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) January 16, 2024
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
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
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.
Too smooth! David Moore takes it in for a 44-yard TD 🙌
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/K04XZqqPvb— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
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
With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin having quiet first halfs, Moore led the Buccaneers with two catches for 66 yards and the touchdown.
Too smooth! David Moore takes it in for a 44-yard TD 🙌
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/K04XZqqPvb— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
James Bradberry benched
Bradberry had an eventful first half and would eventually find himself in a rotation with Kelee Ringo at the outside cornerback spot.
James Bradberry played 1,052 snaps this season on defense to lead the Eagles. He has seemingly been benched in the first half of the wild-card game.
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) January 16, 2024
Eagles struggling to handle the blitz
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.
#bowles: Bucs blitz both slot corners against Philly's empty look to hurry up Hurts and drop both defensive tackles into underneath coverage to try and take away the drag routes. pic.twitter.com/CG1ymV8GCn
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 16, 2024
Of those 14 receptions, four have gone to DeVonta Smith for 111 yards.
Josh Sweat
Sweat logged two tackles, one tackle for loss, one QB hit and his first sack in weeks.
Live from the backfield @SweatyJ_9 pic.twitter.com/iegQ2sRlOk
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 16, 2024
DeVonta Smith arrives
31 yards for DeVonta! ⛓️
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/YjTetis8AR— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
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.
HURTS!! What a play for the @Eagles offense 🦅
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/XdQ17sL2tL— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
Tush Push gets stopped
.@Buccaneers stop the 2-pt tush push!!
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/Lpl1piR1IY— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
Cade Otton
Otton had four catches for 63 yards on seven targets in the first half.
Cade Otton making some stellar catches tonight 👏
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/H2hjKShJgE— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
