The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matchups to watch vs. Philadelphia Eagles

By Derek Quesenberry

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 9: Head Coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 48-40. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 9: Head Coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 48-40. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a touchdown catch against Nolan Carroll #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a touchdown catch against Nolan Carroll #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Zack Ertz vs. whoever covers him

Whether it’s the linebackers or the safeties covering Ertz, he is the one pass catcher Tampa Bay can’t let beat them. The Eagles wide receiving core doesn’t impress me too much. Ertz and Foles developed a strong rapport last season and he should be Foles’ go-to option on third downs.

 The Buccaneers did a solid job against the Saints tight ends last week, but Ertz is a superstar. He tore offenses apart last season and Pederson knows exactly how to deploy his greatest weapon.

Buccaneers receivers vs. Eagles cornerbacks

The Eagles have good safeties, but to me, their cornerbacks aren’t too intimidating. Jalen Mills frequently gets left in the dust and Ronald Darby‘s inconsistency could be taken advantage of. If the Buccaneers have one-o- one coverage with any of their receivers, I would take that all day long.

As long as the offensive line holds up and gives Fitzpatrick time to work, I like the Buccaneers offense in this game. There are too many weapons for the Eagles to handle.

Next. Can the Bucs' running game surprise in 2018?. dark

The deciding factor in this game will be how the Tampa Bay defense holds up. Nobody on the Eagles offense can take over the game. The battle may come down to the mind of Dough Pederson vs. the mind of Mike Smith. That doesn’t bode well for Tampa Bay.

Home/Bucs News