6 Eagles Who Are Set Up For Big Games Against the Bucs

We are just a couple of hours away from kick-off between the Eagles and Bucs in Tampa. At 7:15 tonight, the Eagles try to make it a 3-0 start to the season. they will also hope for things to go a bit smoother than they did in weeks 1 and 2. The first game vs. the Patriots was ugly, like the weather conditions. They struggled to throw the ball, and the defense got picked apart a bit. Things were a bit better in week 2. They ran all over the Vikings. But the Vikings picked them apart across the middle of the field.

They won though, and that is all that really matters. They got out of those two ugly games 2-0, and now have had over a week off to prepare for the Bucs, and to set things right. Hopefully, they can chalk off those two first games, which were only a few days apart, to rust, and being tried on a short week, and things can be off and running against the Bucs.

The Bucs have surprised people with a 2-0 start. But judging by being 5-point dogs at home, Vegas still does not have much faith in them. This is a game the Eagles should win. Between the big advantage of their D-Line vs. the Bucs O-line, and the Bucs having a banged-up secondary, and the Bucs having no run game to speak of, the Eagles have the upper hand on paper.

But which players will benefit the most from those advantages? Who will have breakout games, or continue an already hot start?

Jalen Hurts has not had the best start to his season. Part of that is due to opposing defenses dropping back as many as 8 guys per play to leave very few windows to throw into. But he has also been a bit rusty. But if we know anything about Hurts, is that he is a perfectionist, and will put in the work to get better. He had a lot of time to work between week 2 and tonight's game. And it will not be surprising at all if he comes out and looks like he did all of last year tonight. Especially against a banged up Bucs DB room

The Bucs didn't give up much to the TE in week 2 because they were playing the Bears, who can't pass the ball at all right now. But they allowed TJ Hockenson and the Vikings Tight Ends to haul in 11 catches week 1. Goedert has been quiet in the first two games. They tried to force it to him early against the Vikings, but the Vikings zone defense was all over every play. He finally gets going tonight though. he needs to make up for the first two games if he is serious about breaking 1000 yards this year.

Carter has already looked like one of the Eagles' best defenders in games 1 and 2. At the end of week 2, he was 4th in QB pressures despite playing less than half the snaps. Now he gets to go up against the Bucs backup Center, and an inexperienced RG. Expect him to keep getting after the QB. He should only get better as the year goes on, and he gets more and more snaps.

AJ Brown was really hearing it during this long layoff. He did not get involved much in week 2 and was clearly not happy about it. Cameras caught him in a "conversation" with Jalen Hurts where he seemed to be upset that Hurts did not throw it to him on a certain play. Now the drama is nothing to be concerned about. Hurts and Brown are close friends, and sometimes friends or teammates get into it. And Hurts will make sure to take care of his guy tonight. They tried in week 2 after the argument, but a penalty by Penny took a TD off the board. I think they actually link up tonight.

Everything we said about Jalen Carter, applies to Davis. He also gets to go up against a very weak interior O-line for the Bucs. He has also been off to a torrid hot start. He is not getting after the QB quite as much as Carter. But only 3 guys are getting after the Qb more than Carter. Davis has made huge strides as a pass rusher and has been elite as a run stuffer. The Bucs struggle to run the ball as it is. But with Jordan Davis in the middle, there should be very few successful runs up the middle tonight, and don't be surprised if he also blows up the pocket on passing plays a few times too.

Early on, Sweat has been way more productive off the edge than Reddick has been. But Reddick is notoriously a slow starter. He had 0 sacks through the first two weeks last year before he got to Carson Wentz 1.5 times in week 3. And while Sweat has a very difficult test in Tristan Wirfs, Reddick is going up against a guy who was playing Guard last year. I think he finally gets to the Qb tonight, maybe multiple times.