The Bucs Vs. Nick Foles

October 8th, 2020

Bears QB Nick Foles.

Nick Foles is a nice relief pitcher.

As a starter, he’s a mobile Mike Glennon.

Yes, Joe knows that Foles as a starter, in place of injured Carson Wentz, guided the Eagles through the playoffs into the Super Bowl where the Eagles upset the Belicheats and Tom Brady in February 2018.

After the 2017 season, Foles’ quarterback coach at Philadelphia, Frank Reich, left to take over the Colts. Foles hasn’t been the same as a starter since, not that he was a world-beater as a starter to begin with.

In 2018, the Eagles, as defending champions, came into the Den of Depression and facing the toothless defense of the Bucs, were held in check just enough for the Bucs to walk into the locker room with a win.

A rare sight: Late in that game in an attempt to take the lead, Foles wilted under — wait for it — pass rush pressure from Mike Smith’s defense. Yes, really. He was sacked three times.

For that defense, three sacks was an effort worthy of Hercules.

Last year playing at Jacksonville, the Bucs chased Foles, who started for the Jags after three turnovers, two fumbles and a pick. Jason Pierre-Paul forced a fumble of Foles from a strip/sack, which was returned 14-yards for a score by Devin White.

So in his last two starts against the Bucs, Foles has had bad luck.

Perhaps that will continue tonight?

Willie McGinest of NFL Network believes the Bucs defense is going to feast tonight. Check out his predictions for the Bucs tonight in Chicago in this NFL Network video.

11 Responses to “The Bucs Vs. Nick Foles”

  1. Alexander Nascimento Says:

    Go Bucs!!!
    Get a W, rest and heal

  2. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    That bears secondary is going to be hard to play. I am more worried about their secondary then D line.

    granted brady loves some good short intermediate throws. Vaughn has showed he can catch and run as well.

  3. Ftmyersbuc Says:

    James Jones lunch must have been stolen by Brady a time or two.

  4. Rod Munch Says:

    I think it’s the Bucs vs Soldier Field – they stink there, as the numbers I looked up yesterday show, 5-22 there, just an 18% win percentage.

    Brady winning this game will, to me at least, be a big deal. I’m hoping the Bucs win, but I’m expecting the worse, this is a game the Bucs ALWAYS lose.

  5. lambchop Says:

    Whichever D is the most opportunistic will win.

  6. Defense Rules Says:

    It’ll be interesting to see how effective the Bucs Dline is against Foles tonight, AND how much we blitz to keep him off-balance. Most seem to believe that Todd Bowles brings the kitchen sink on every play, but not so from what I see (varies very much game-by-game).

    Got curious about how much Bowles was blitzing to try to create pressure, and noticed something interesting in the first 4 games.

    Game 1: Saints
    o Defensive snaps: 68
    o Blitzes: 22
    o Sacks: 1
    o QB Knockdowns: 2
    o QB Hurries: 5
    o Total QB pressures: 8
    Attempted passes (including sacks): 32
    Completed passes: 19

    Game 2: Panthers
    o Defensive snaps: 73
    o Blitzes: 40
    o Sacks: 5
    o QB Knockdowns: 1
    o QB Hurries: 3
    o Total QB pressures: 8
    Attempted passes (including sacks): 47
    Completed passes: 33

    Game 3: Broncos
    o Defensive snaps: 63
    o Blitzes: 86 (yup, I was amazed too)
    o Sacks: 6
    o QB Knockdowns: 4
    o QB Hurries: 4
    o Total QB pressures: 14
    Attempted passes (including sacks): 45
    Completed passes: 25

    Game 4: Chargers
    o Defensive snaps: 53
    o Blitzes: 19
    o Sacks: 2
    o QB Knockdowns: 3
    o QB Hurries: 11
    o Total QB pressures: 16
    Attempted passes (including sacks): 27
    Completed passes: 20

    So to me at least it looks like the 2 games we’ve struggled in the most (Saints & Chargers), we’ve blitzed the least. Also got the fewest sacks in those 2 games. But it also looks like our total ‘Pressures’ are improving as the season progresses. That’s a good thing IMO. Yup, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of a defensive gameplan Bowles uses against the Bears.

  7. August 1976 Buc Says:

    Ha ha Brady has stolen alot guys Lunch money in this league. And he will again tonight. GO BUCS!!!!

  8. Rob in Land O Lakes Says:

    Defense: I love the hard work and the analysis, great job! Question: I donโ€™t know if itโ€™s a typo or not but against the Broncos, how can we have 86 blitzes on only 63 snaps? If I am reading that right.

  9. unbelievable Says:

    It’s game day baby!

    I’m cautiously optimistic about this one.

  10. Buccystle Says:

    Off topic but does anyone know what color unis we will be sporting tonight? Please NO white on white!!

  11. orlbucfan Says:

    Not holding my breath on this one, either. Bucs donโ€™t normally play well at Soldier Field. I am hoping for improvement in the secondary. They may be the key to a win.