The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Eagles vs. Buccaneers prediction, odds, spread, injuries, trends for NFL Wild Card Weekend (Back the Bucs)

Tampa Bay pulled away in the NFC South down the stretch while the Eagles went into a spiral.

By Shelby Dermer

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Panthers.
Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Panthers. / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

The Philadelphia Eagles backed their way into the playoffs after a late-season losing streak where the defending NFC Champions dropped five of their final six games. 

In the same span, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won five of their final six contests to capture the NFC South title for the third consecutive year and didn’t need Tom Brady under center to do it. 

However, Tampa Bay was hardly impressive in its final two games, losing by double figures to the New Orleans Saints at home and beating the Carolina Panthers without scoring a touchdown. 

Here’s everything you need to know when betting this first-round matchup in the NFC playoffs.

If you’re looking to bet on any NFL playoff game this weekend, FanDuel Sportsbook has an amazing promotional offer. New users who sign up with the link below and wager $5 will receive $150 in bonus bets.

Sign up for FanDuel now!

Eagles vs. Buccaneers odds, spread, and total

Eagles vs. Buccaneers betting trends

  • Philadelphia is 7-8-2 ATS (against the spread) this season
  • Tampa Bay is 11-6 ATS this season, the second best ATS record in the NFL
  • Philadelphia is 3-3-1 ATS as a road favorite this season
  • Tampa Bay is 1-2 ATS as a home underdog this season
  • Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last five games 
  • Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS after a loss this season
  • Philadelphia is 0-6-1 ATS in its last seven games
  • The UNDER is 11-6 in Tampa Bay’s games this season
  • The UNDER is 3-0 in Tampa Bay’s last three games

Eagles vs. Buccaneers injury report

Philadelphia Eagles injury report

  • D’Andre Swift, RB: Questionable
  • Darius Slay, DB: Questionable
  • DeVonta Smith, WR: Questionable
  • A.J. Brown, WR: Status Unknown 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers injury report

  • Rakim Jarrett, WR: Questionable
  • K.J. Britt, LB: Questionable 

Eagles vs. Buccaneers how to watch

  • Date: Monday, Jan. 15
  • Game Time: 8 p.m. (EST)
  • Venue: Raymond James Stadium 
  • How to Watch (TV): ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
  • Philadelphia Eagles record: 11-6
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers record: 9-8

Eagles vs. Buccaneers key players to watch

Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts: Obviously, a quarterback is going to be a key player to watch in a playoff game, but Hurts was once an MVP candidate when the Eagles got off to a 10-1 start.

Hurts has been hampered by injuries the entire calendar year, starting with offseason ankle surgery following the Super Bowl loss. He limped off with a knee injury against the Cowboys in November and recently injured his finger in Week 18. What condition will he be in for this matchup and can he be a dual threat?

Hurts threw five interceptions in the final four games of the regular season and injuries may have impacted his ability to take over the game with his legs. He’s run for 34 yards or less in five of the last six. 

Dallas Goedert: With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith battling injuries, Goedert could become the top target in the Philadelphia passing game.

Besides Brown and Smith, Eagles’ wide receivers have not provided much production with Quez Watkins and Julio Jones combining for 26 catches. Goedert has 59 receptions for 592 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield: This matchup features two quarterbacks with injury concerns. Mayfield has had a resurgent year with over 4,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, but he entered Week 18 with bruised ribs and tweaked his ankle in the win over Carolina.

Tampa Bay’s offense, which seemed to be hitting its stride after 30-point outings vs. Green Bay and Jacksonville, has been held out of the end zone in seven of the last eight quarters. 

Rachaad White: The Buccaneers’ offense is at its best when White is an effective dual-threat weapon. In the final two games of the season, he was held to less than four yards per carry and just 42 total yards receiving. White could be in for a big day against Philadelphia’s sub-par linebacking unit. 

Eagles vs. Buccaneers prediction and pick

Hurts, Brown and Smith being banged up is bad news for the Eagles. Tampa Bay’s defense is vulnerable against the pass (29th in the NFL), but will Philadelphia’s weapons be available? If the Eagles have to turn to their ground game, it spells trouble against a Buccaneers’ defense that ranks fifth in the NFL against the run. 

Fans could have been in line for a shootout with how poor both of these defenses are against the pass, but injuries have put that in question. As he’s done throughout his career, expect Mayfield to gut it out against a Philadelphia defense that has been shredded in recent weeks.

The Eagles rank 31st in the NFL against the pass and Tampa Bay’s weapons are healthy with veterans Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, White out of the backfield and tight end Cade Otton. 

What about this Eagles team gives you confidence to lay a field goal on the road? Take the Buccaneers as a home underdog.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.