“This Is A Different Animal This Week”
September 24th, 2023
Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce.
The Bucs are 24 hours from stepping into their first heavyweight title fight of the 2023 season.
Win and Tampa Bay instantly becomes a favorite in the NFC. They’d be sitting with a 3-0 record overall and in the conference, and a “W” against the reigning conference champs.
Lose and the Bucs are sort of doing the expected, sitting at 2-1 joining the Falcons and slimy Saints among teams falling from the ranks of the undefeated in Week 3.
Do the Bucs have enough to pull out a win tomorrow night at The Licht House?
NBC Sports Xs and Os guru and former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms doesn’t think so, but he also doesn’t think the Bucs will take a knockout shot from the Eagles.
Speaking on Pro Football Talk, Simms called the Eagles the most talented team in the league but he believes the Bucs are very capable of slowing down Philly’s vaunted run game. Per Simms, the Bucs will put the onus on Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ passing game to beat them. Of course, that could be a rough task with cornerback Zyon McCollum likely starting for Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean slumping and a rookie at nickel cornerback.
“This is a different animal this week,” Simms said regarding the trenches talent the Bucs will face.
Joe has to agree when it comes to that talent disparity. The Bucs are good on both lines, but the Eagles likely are better.
Simms picks the Bucs to cover the spread as five-point underdogs but thinks the Bucs will lose 21-17.
The fun thing about a lot people picking the Eagles winning a close game means the Bucs are in the game until the final minutes.
Joe believes that means anything can happen, and the Bucs certainly have playmakers in all three phases of the game to help craft a magical finish.
September 24th, 2023 at 8:17 pm
Lol…..
Nobody is picking the Bucs to win…..just come out and say it!!!!
September 24th, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Man, after watching today’s games especially that stupid wipeout in Miami courtesy of senile Sean Payton, Bucs have a good chance of pulling an upset. ST will win it in the final minute with McCllaughlin kicking a 60+ yarder. Go Bucs!
September 24th, 2023 at 8:31 pm
No one picked Arizona, Houston or Indy either, doubtful but you never know.
September 24th, 2023 at 8:32 pm
What happened to the podcast this week?
September 24th, 2023 at 8:45 pm
So many upsets this week, it’s still early in the year. I’m actually glad this game is in the first month. If we can run the ball and win the turnover battle, there’s no reason we can’t win. Their secondary is actually in worse shape than ours, and our WRs have a chance to eat them up. The whole game will come down to our O-line tho, which has me nervous
September 24th, 2023 at 8:45 pm
If the Cardinals can beat the Cowboys, we can beat the Eagles. We just need to channel the spirit of Rhonde.
September 24th, 2023 at 8:53 pm
49er’s are +650, Eagles are +700, and Cowboys are +900 to win the Super Bowl. Bucs are currently sitting at +5500. Doubt a win against any of them in week 3 is going to move the needle that far. It might move it closer to Saints/Falcons range at + 3600 but Com’ On Joe ‘a Favorite in NFC’?
Had Joe typed favorite in NFC South I might be somewhat agreeable.
September 24th, 2023 at 8:54 pm
Joe your right if we beat the eagles tmrw you have too consider the bucs as a threat for the nfc championship and a top 5 team in the nfl easily even if we lose were still good the saints wont have carr for a few games jamies is starting next week for sure plus the saints o line has been trash
September 24th, 2023 at 8:55 pm
Everyone is picking the eagles..that’s why the bucs are going to pull it off
September 24th, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Irishmist Says
If the Cardinals can beat the Cowboys, we can beat the Eagles
Cardinals HC is the Guy that set the Foundation of the Eagles Defense and I am sure he was paying attention to the Offensive side of the ball while he was there too.
Now I’m even more uneasy about this game.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:03 pm
The Eagles are coming into our house with a lot of confidence. The Bucs are going to have to punch them in the mouth early, just like they did back in 2021. Hurts had 115 yards passing, but he has more experience this time around. I think that the d-line can get some sacks, so that the QB can go down and go down hard. Devin White and the CBs are going to have to play lights out.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:14 pm
The combined record of the teams the Bucs have beat is 0-6.
The combined record of the teams the Eagles have beat is 1-5.
The Eagles should win this game pretty easily, they have better talent and better coaching, and most importantly, the better QB.
However, the Bucs have Ronde Barber night and should repeatedly show highlight after highlight of him destroying the Eagles all night. If a Bucs team lead by Bruce Gradkowski can beat the Eagles based on two Ronde TDs and a 62 yard FG, the Bucs should be able to beat the Eagles tomorrow night.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:16 pm
This is the week we really need our running game to take off. Not expecting a That to happen. Not expecting a win either, but we might be able to make it interesting.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:19 pm
Yeah, let’s pick this week to establish or running game vs the best run defense in the NFL.
Way to score 0 points.
How about this, instead of worrying about running stats, how about the Bucs try to score more points than the opponent.
Turns out that’s how you get a W, not winning the ‘RUN’ column on the stat sheet.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:20 pm
As long as the Eagles don’t put up 70 points I’m ok
September 24th, 2023 at 9:22 pm
Aside from a few teams that are absolutely miserable, any team can beat any other team in the NFL on a given day.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:30 pm
Rod I’m going to enjoy reading your ‘mea culpa’ when the Bucs beat the Eagles 24-20 tomorrow night. And especially when they do it by running the football reasonably effectively on about 45% of the plays, and hitting several explosive pass plays. Bucs will win the TOP and Turnover Differential, and oh ya, sack Hurts at least 4 times. Prepare to eat crow (oops, my bad, make that eagle).
September 24th, 2023 at 9:35 pm
Defense Rules – I’ve literally picked the Bucs to win this game since the day the schedule was released. I was the ONLY person on this site that I saw that picked the Bucs winning this game. You should spend less time re-reading The Communist Manifesto, and more time reading my posts, then you wouldn’t look so foolish – and would have much better takes than Chris Conte and Ryan Smith are good defenders.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:42 pm
“Rod Munch Says:
May 11th, 2023 at 9:48 pm
My early game by game prediction, unofficial, as my official version will be given at the end of August, so mark your calendar. Anyways, here you go…
L – 0-1 Sun. Sept. 10 at Minnesota 1:00 PM
W – 1-1 Sun. Sept. 17 CHICAGO 1:00 PM
W – 2-1 Mon. Sept. 25 PHILADELPHIA 7:15 PM”
“Rod Munch Says:
May 11th, 2023 at 9:39 pm
…They ALWAYS beat the Bears at home, if the Bucs lose that game, you might as well just go ahead and call the season, since it’s going to be a horror show.
Also, the Bucs TEND to always beat the Eagles at home, in particular when the Eagles are the much team (discounting the playoff beat-down of the Eagles).”
September 24th, 2023 at 9:50 pm
Rod Munch … ‘The Eagles should win this game pretty easily, they have better talent and better coaching, and most importantly, the better QB.’
Yup, still can’t read your own comments I see, or anyone else’s. And BTW, you give new meaning to the word DERELICT Fancy Man. Your act got old a long time ago.
September 24th, 2023 at 9:59 pm
We will need to run the ball…probably 120+ yards on the ground
September 24th, 2023 at 10:08 pm
Defense Rules Says
I agree with with you. Defense Rules. What do you think of the 94 yards of total offense those Browns gave up today? King Henry 21 yards. Be a Storybook SuperBowl. Bucs and Browns.
September 24th, 2023 at 10:10 pm
@Rod, I’m more impressed by your ability/willingness to wade through your proliferate posts to find your proof, than i am by your early predictions (seeing how you are currently wrong as often as you are right–see MN prediction).
I do recall you picking the Bucs over the Eagles way back when. Fingers crossed that your average goes over 0.500 tomorrow night. Cheers
September 24th, 2023 at 11:04 pm
It is so funny how the Baker fans are so excited about Baker defeating two winless (0-3) teams.
It took a pick 6 by the Bucs last minute to beat a bad Chicago team who was blown out by KC.
Bucs should not prevent Baker from explosive plays as they have in the past two games. Bucs will need Baker and offense to score often to keep up with the Philly offense. However that’s when it will be a rude of awakening for Baker’s fan to see the ugly head of Baker throwing picks again and again.
September 24th, 2023 at 11:12 pm
Every week is different. Nothing will surprise me. The Bucs could win tomorrow night or get smoked. Obviously hoping for the former but years of Bucfandom has me kind of expecting the latter. Either way, it means nothing about what will happen the following week.
September 24th, 2023 at 11:58 pm
Defense Rules – I said they ‘SHOULD’ win the game, yet I’m predicting the Bucs WILL win the game. See the difference?
September 24th, 2023 at 11:59 pm
David Says:
September 24th, 2023 at 11:04 pm
It is so funny how the Baker fans are so excited about Baker defeating two winless (0-3) teams.
It took a pick 6 by the Bucs last minute to beat a bad Chicago team who was blown out by KC.
———–
I’m not Baker fan, but he has played great so far. You absolutely can’t blame him for Bowles shutting down the offense at the end of the third quarter vs the Bears. That was 100% on Bowles for making that game close, Baker more than did his job.
September 25th, 2023 at 12:36 am
I don’t think it will be an easy game…and I certainly do not think we can win with the run game. Eagles are good against the run too…and their RB is better.
It will probably be a defensive showdown.
September 25th, 2023 at 12:38 am
Wow! Who would have thunk it!
Having to try very hard not to get my hopes up too high Joe.
Go Bucs!
September 25th, 2023 at 12:50 am
D-Rok Says:
“Here’s the rest of the teams that have put up 60 or more across league history:”
.
.
I’m surprised only one of those games victimized the Bucs. Yay!
September 25th, 2023 at 7:35 am
Chris Simms is a dud.
September 25th, 2023 at 8:20 am
Anyone that spells RONDE with an H (RHONDE should be thrown into a volcano. There, i said it.
September 25th, 2023 at 11:27 am
5 REASONS BUCS WIN …
1) Philly secondary is soft. Bucs have Evans, Godwin, Trey.
2) We haven’t seen the whole offensive playbook.
3) Philly likes to run. Tampa D likes to stop the run.
4) Hurts likes to run. White likes to hit running QBs hard.
5) Camarda. Do not discount ST. Camarda is a weapon. He’ll pin these guys deep.
September 25th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Rod Munch knows his football. Disagree on the better QB stuff, they have different style QB and built their offense around his skill set. The rest of the O, Philly has comparable receivers and better line. Defensively, Philly has a better line but not LB or secondary. I have to think the Bucs squeeze out a win because they will have a superior scheme defensively and home field. But its football, one bad bounce and Iggles win. Sure hope not
September 25th, 2023 at 6:01 pm
Buckeyebuckchuck – Thank you. I will say, however, that the Philly corners are excellent, but the Bucs corner are very good – and Winfield is the best safety in the game, and it’s not close. I wouldn’t give the Bucs the nod though in the secondary, I’d call it a wash. Bucs certainly have better LBs. Eagles, as you said, have the better offensive and defensive line. WR/RB is a wash. Philly easily has the best TE, and Philly has the better QB – but Mayfield has played great, if he keeps it up, and Hurts looks like he’s looked in the first two games, then that can flip, but that’s a big ask.
Kickers are a wash, but Bucs have the better punter.
But, as for who wins this game, as I said all offseason, this is just a game that the Bucs win. I absolutely do not think the Bucs have better coaching, but then again the Eagles are breaking in a new OC and DC (but the same schemes, I believe), but somehow, the Bucs win. I hope Winfield has a Ronde like performance tonight and the torch is officially passed.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Eagles O line might be the best in the league. As you shall see tonight. Their D line is strong. And we might not have Vita…Just sayin…
September 25th, 2023 at 10:27 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
“Eagles O line might be the best in the league.”
.
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You called it. They dominated the game.