“Tampa’s Going To Fire-Zone Blitz Your Face Off”
September 26th, 2025
An ESPN TV graphic.
The Bucs defense has owned the Eagles offense over and over and over, even without Calijah Kancey on the field. It’s a beautiful thing and should continue to be on Sunday.
A strong and consistent run defense combined with a blitz-happy pass defense seems to be the toxic combination for Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and his offense.
And good news for Bucs fans, the Eagles are entering Sunday struggling to run the ball. Look at the numbers above. Saquon Barkley has resembled Payton Barber.
ESPN quarterback guru/Xs and Os guy Dan Orlovsky, the former Bucs quarterback, says the unspoken truth about the Eagles this season is their inability to run. And that’s Orlovsky’s key to Sunday’s Bucs-Eagles game.
“Like if they don’t run the ball well on early downs against Tampa, Tampa’s going to fire-zone blitz your face off. And that’s advantage Tampa’s defense,” Orlovsky said.
Former linebacker and Lavonte David college teammate Will Compton was on the same Get Up Stay in Bed show asking for help figuring out how and why Barkley is getting a strong number of touches but not finding yards.
Orlovksy said the Eagles formula of playing “close to the vest” and relying on defense might have to be tweaked for them to sustain their extraordinary run of winning 19 of the last 20 games, including the Super Bowl.
Joe wants to see Vita Vea have a career game Sunday. It’s time. Vea has been playing very strong through the first three weeks of the season.
September 26th, 2025 at 8:55 am
After watching CJ Stroud have literally all day to throw. They better dial up some exotic blitzes.
September 26th, 2025 at 9:24 am
looking at Reddick!!!!!
4-0!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 26th, 2025 at 9:43 am
Really hope we aren’t that team where they get it back in track against. Happened too often. We have had their number but always that chance to trend back to the mean
September 26th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Meh, this defense blew a 17 point lead to a Jets team that has one weapon in the pass game and a few average RB’s.
Philly has healthy weapons, a RB as a QB and Saquon. Todd just cannot scheme up a decent pass defense. ZERO faith or confidence in this defense to stop or limit any offense, even the bad ones.
September 26th, 2025 at 10:07 am
If they get Barkley out in open space on short throws, we better pray Dennis and LVD can stop him
September 26th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Oof. Payton Barber. That cuts deep…
September 26th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Haason Redicl will have a career game. I’m calling it now and here. 3.t sacks maybe 4. It will be on and cracking
September 26th, 2025 at 10:48 am
3.5 maybe 4
September 26th, 2025 at 11:25 am
Sounds good!
September 26th, 2025 at 11:38 am
If it works do it till it doesn’t. Hurts running worries me a bit though. LVD has looked very good this year when they send him same with AWJ an Smith.
Sacks for all I say!
Go Bucs!
September 26th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
“Tampa’s going to fire-zone blitz your face off”. Usually I wait until the day before to get this brand of fired up. But I’ll have to say, I can make changes for the good of the team. And then “we’re gonna take that crusty piece of flesh and shove it up where the sun don’t shine!” Man Joe, you’re getting us fired up early!!
September 26th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Barkley’s big run vs the Bucs last year was 100% on Britt being slow to get to the corner – and not slow because Barkley is fast and just outran him, which would stink but would be understandable, but because Britt was just flat out slow and out of position. Man was Britt bad.
BTW, last year the Bucs were missing not just Kancey, but also Winfield and Dennis.
September 26th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
I’m with Joe on Vita. VV has established himself as “One of” the premier nose guards in the game right now. If he blows up this game the national attention will flow and perhaps VV’s rep jumps a notch to Wilfork status.
September 26th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
Sorry to sound negative but when we talk about a team not running the ball well we usually fall short on defending.
September 26th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
Reddick it’s taking this game personally. He is going to have an impact.