The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Keys to surviving without Jameis Winston

By Brian DeFeo

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: DeMarco Murray #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: DeMarco Murray #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Week 2 Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1:00 PM (FOX)

The Eagles are looking to build off their 13-3 season last year. Philly will be entering week two off of a mini-bye week where they open the season against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. The Eagles may be without starting quarterback Carson Wentz, as he is recovering from an ACL. However, even without Wentz, the other option is pretty solid too.

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His backup Nick Foles isn’t a scrub either. The reigning Super Bowl MVP is 2-0 in his career against Tampa with both games being played in Florida. In those games, he’s racked up 677 yards and five touchdowns. That’s not all, he has two rushing touchdowns as well. These games were six years ago too and now he’s a more developed player and on a better team.

The Eagles added defensive end Michael Bennett, cornerback Daryl Worley, linebacker Corey Nelson, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, and wide receiver Mike Wallace.

They did lose some key players because they can’t sign everyone including running back LeGarrette Blount, cornerback Patrick Robinson, wide receiver Torrey Smith and two players to the Bucs in Beau Allen and Vinny Curry.

With all the losses, they may have picked up or improved in plenty of areas. While they may have some cap issues down the road, they have one of the scariest defensive lines in football. Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Tim Jernigan, Chris Long, Derek Barnett, Michael Bennett, and Haloti Ngata are forces to be reckoned with.

For the Buccaneers to win this game they need to protect the quarterback and open holes in the running game. If they can keep Fitzpatrick upright and allow the duo of Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones to kill the clock, the Bucs can keep the ballgame close.

Let’s hope Curry and Allen can give the coaching staff some tips to slow down the defending champs.

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