After a slow start to the season, the Philadelphia Eagles staged a major turnaround to reach the NFL playoffs. By winning six of their final nine games, the Eagles find themselves among the fortunate few to still be playing football in mid-January.
But what is their Super Wild Card Weekend reward for that terrific turnaround? A road trip to Tampa to face the reigning Super Bowl champion Bucs.
The Bucs, who won the NFC South for the first time since 2007, tied for the NFL’s best record but lost out to Green Bay for the top seed in the NFC via tiebreaker. But they are the NFC’s #2 seed and will have to make only one road trip, not three, in order to reach Super Bowl 56, as was the case for last season’s championship run.
Can the Eagles challenge the champs and make them work for their ticket to the divisional round? Or will Brady and the Bucs breeze past the Birds to kick off their repeat run?
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Matchup Info and Betting Odds
Matchup Info
- Game Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles (9-8, 2nd in NFC East, #7 seed in NFC) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4, 1st in NFC South, #2 seed in NFC)
- Venue & Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
- Date: Sunday, January 16, 2022
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
Betting Odds
- Spread: Philadelphia Eagles +7.5 (-110), Tampa Bay Buccaneers -7.5 (-110)
- Total: OVER 46.5 (-110), UNDER 46.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Philadelphia Eagles +290, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -375
Odds are via BetMGM.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Outlook
These two teams met in a Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 6, with the Bucs claiming a 28-22 win in Philadelphia.
In that game, the Bucs led 28-7 in the third quarter, but the Eagles battled back to make it a one-score contest with six minutes left. But from there, the Bucs ran out the clock to secure the win
Though the comeback attempt fell short, it was an impressive rally given the fact that the Bucs appeared to be well on their way to a blowout. But what does it tell us about either team?
Not much, but it does provide an example of what Philadelphia’s offense can be when things click and what Jalen Hurts needs to do for the Eagles-Bucs rematch to potentially pan out differently. A 50-yard pass interference penalty did significantly help the Eagles on one scoring drive, but they also moved the ball better in their final three drives of that game.
That was one of a few close shaves and eyebrow-raising results for the Bucs this season. They lost to the Saints twice, lost to Washington, and had to rally from a two-touchdown deficit to beat the Jets in Week 17.
That said, the Bucs won seven of their last eight games to end the regular season. The only blemish was their Week 15 shutout at the hands of the Saints. In every other game in that final eight, the Bucs scored at least 28 points.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction and Best Bet
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34, Philadelphia Eagles 20 (Bucs -7.5 & OVER 46.5)
While the Bucs have had their stumbles and hiccups this season, the last thing that anyone should do when it comes to a Tom Brady-led team is underestimate them. He will be ready, and the Bucs will be ready.
The only way the Eagles can pull the playoff upset is by slowing the Bucs down. When the Bucs win, they typically put a lot of points on the board.
In their 13 wins this season, they have scored at least 28 points in all but one (a 19-17 win at New England in Week 4). Over Brady’s two seasons in Tampa, that one win is the only one in which the Bucs failed to score at least 25 points. Also, in the nine games in which they have been held under 25 points, that is the only win.
Unfortunately for Eagles fans and bettors, what they need is unlikely to occur. Sure, their turnaround is certainly impressive. But they haven’t beaten a single good team this season. Their only win over a team that finished above .500 was a Week 11 win over the Saints, who were in the midst of a five-game losing streak after losing Jameis Winston.
Yes, the Eagles beat the Saints, while the Bucs lost to New Orleans twice. But that means nothing here.
The Eagles will need to play a perfect game on both sides of the ball, and that will not happen. Look for the champs to comfortably take care of business at home and book their passage to the next round.
