Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Eagles-Bucs
September 28th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
The masters of the late comeback failed to show up early.
A slow start created too big of a deficit for the Buccaneers in Sunday’s 31-25 setback against the opportunistic Eagles, leaving Tampa Bay a very respectable 3-1 heading into a Week 5 matchup at Seattle.
Philadelphia grabbed a 14-0 lead midway through the opening quarter, helped by yet another gaffe by Tampa Bay’s struggling special teams. Trailing 24-3 late in the first half,, the Bucs clawed their way back thanks to a pair of long TD passes by Baker Mayfield and two field goals by Chase McLaughlin — including a club-record 65-yarder.
It wasn’t enough because of a fumble by Bucky Irving, who gained 165 yards from scrimmage, and a goal-line interception thrown by Mayfield. Those were the first two giveaways of the Buc season and Philadelphia hung on to stay unbeaten.
Buc players say they hope to see the Eagles again — in the playoffs.
An injury-ravaged season continued for the home team as Jamel Dean (groin), Haason Reddick (possible concussion), Greg Gaines (pectoral) and rookie Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) were sidelined as on-field temperatures soared past 100 degrees.
Tampa Bay’s second-half defense was spectacular as Jalen Hurts failed to complete a pass (0-for-8) and the Eagles were limited to minus-1 yards in 30 offensive snaps.
Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin returned to the field for the first time this season, but Godwin caught only three of the 10 passes Mayfield sent his way. With Graham Barton returning to center and Ben Bredeson shifting back to left guard, the Bucs offered Mayfield stout protection most of the sultry afternoon.
The common post-game message from the Buc locker room concerned the awful start. To cap the game’s opening possession, Riley Dixon’s punt was blocked by Cameron Latu and returned 35 yards by Sydney Brown for a score at the 2:09 mark.
After Dixon’s second punt, Hurts scrambled 29 yards to set up the first of his two short scoring flips to tight end Dallas Goedert.
Mayfield couldn’t find a rhythm in the first half as the Bucs converted only 1-of-7 on third down. McLaughlin’s record-setting FG on the final play before intermission gave the Bucs some momentum in front of a sun-baked crowd teeming with Philly fans.
“It was definitely a spark,” Mayfield said. “Chase did a great job.”
When Irving fumbled at the Tampa Bay 25 and the Eagles cashed in with Saquon Barkley’s breathtakingly easy 6-yard TD run to make it 31-13, it appeared this one was over.
But there was no quit as Mayfield found Emeka Egbuka for a 77-yard score and hit Irving past rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell down the left sidelines for a 72-yard TD, both in the third quarter.
McLaughlin added a 58-yard FG before Campbell redeemed himself by picking off a fourth-quarter pass intended for Godwin in the end zone.
Here’s how the Eagles held on, despite being outgained 376-200 on the day.
* Reddick told me after the game that he should be fine for Seattle next Sunday. He was a factor on defense with four stops, including one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup.
* Mayfield threw 40 passes, but the Eagles registered only two sacks and one QB hit. Wirfs hardly appeared rusty protecting Mayfield’s blind side, allowing Barton and Bredeson to return to their normal posiitons. The Bucs also topped the 100-yard rushing mark for the 12th consecutive game and held Barkley to an average of only 2.3 yards in his 19 carries.
Another big punt return by Kameron Johnson.
* Kameron Johnson returned six punts for 100 yards, including a 46-yard dash early in the third quarter. For the season, Johnson is averaging 15.5 yards on 11 punt returns.
* Dixon has now had two punts smothered in four games and don’t forget the Jets returned a blocked McLaughlin FG attempt last week for a score. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.is testing the faith of Todd Bowles. His unit’s lapses nearly cost the Bucs a victory a week ago and Sunday’s blocked punt contributed to a quick 14-point deficit.
* On his long TD strike to Irving, Mayfield escaped pressure and reset himself in the pocket, giving Irving time to get behind Campbell. Rachaad White has proven to be an outstanding target out of the backfield, but Irving is even better. He caught all five of his targets for 102 yards on Sunday, finishing with one more receiving yard than Egbuka.
* Second-year safety Tykee Smith continues to be a force. He led the Bucs with nine stops, broke up two passes and forced a third-down incompletion with blitz pressure midway through the fourth quarter to keep the Bucs in the game.
* The Eagles didn’t turn the ball over, but they hurt themselves with eight penalties for 83 yards. Six of those flags afforded Tampa Bay a first down.
* Mayfield will regret that late interception for awhile, but he did throw for 224 of his his 289 yards during the second-half comeback attempt. He scrambled for only 13 yards, well below his season average.
* Considering the steady flurry of significant injuries, the Bucs have to be feeling good about being 3-1. They have scored 97 points and allowed 97 points on the season and the schedule doesn’t get any easier with the Seahawks, 49ers and Lions dead ahead.
* Don’t be confused by the final result. The Eagles scored 31 points, but their offense did very little. Vita Vea led the defensive charge for the Bucs with both of their sacks as Tampa Bay finished with 11 tackles for loss.
September 28th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Man, if Winston threw that late INT with the game on the line, that would be mentioned in every story for the next 8 weeks, and we’d get probably 50 stories in the next 5 days about it.
Not bashing Baker, too much, he was legit playing injured I think – but that was beyond stupid and a terrible play that removed any chance the Bucs had of tying it up, and deserves more than a passing mention.
September 28th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
That wasn’t a fumble
Eagles DBs specifically Mitchell held the hold game
If I were coach I call the umps on it on the press conference F$&k the fine and the umps terrible officiating
September 28th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
They are going to lose four straight games. They always play poorly out west, san fran will have receivers wide open all day and the lions are going to bully this team and we will have another ten starters injured.
September 28th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Rod wants Trask back.
You can check you local Publix deli, I think he is making Bucs subs on the weekends.
September 28th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
The INT was tipped and thrown to Godwin. I commented live that I thought he should have thrown the ball away, but in replay, you can see he had a play. Hindsight doesn’t help.
Bucky’s *not* fumble was a bigger factor, as it was 7-14 point swing.
September 28th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
The Bucs were not going 17-0. They made mistakes, they turned the ball over twice and they were stin the game against one of the best teams in the league. We will see this team again.
September 28th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
I would have been in no huddle at 6 mins left in the 1st quarter when we went down 14 let alone down 18 or 21. If we had done that, we would have had another drive left at the end despite the mistakes. Poor clock management AGAIN!!! Just ran out of time. It’s not against the rules to go into 2 minute or hurry up offense earlier!!! This would have likely wore out the Eagle’s defense and we probably win. How can Bowles and Grizz not see this? Unfortunately no one has the balls to take Bowles to task on this and ask him why!!!
We get Evans and Goedeke back we should be hard to beat. Defense played excellent the 2nd half. The whole team has to come out ready to play. Got to fix our blocking on special teams. 2 blocked punts, another punt almost blocked and a blocked FG so far is unacceptable.I’m
September 28th, 2025 at 7:55 pm
The Bucs could have easily won this one. They beat themselves! Clean up the punting, protect the ball, and start playing harder earlier in the game and they can hang with and beat the best! Bring on the Seahawks!
September 28th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Bucs could have won it. Not easily, but definitely winnable.
If we only had a different HC, OC, DC, and ST coach.
I don’t blame the players when the coaches are in the lowest quartile in football IQ. Outcoached again.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
Rodney, I love you man! But, how many interceptions did Jay Miss have after 4 games? Baker has one! And don’t tell me about dropped interceptions, because Jay Miss is the King of those as well.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
That’s a great point Rod. But I still like our chances. We’re a pretty good football team but give Philly credit. They came out and knocked us on our butt. Offense needs some continuity, special teams needs a jolt, and the defense has a chance to be special. NEXT!!
September 28th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
We have some very soft and unintelligent fans. Our quarterback has the most TD passes in the NFL since the 23 season and yet the occult of Trask could not wait for Baker to make a mistake. It’s pathetic over there Sage. Go be Dolphin fans mental weaklings.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Rod, that ball was tipped.
Jay-Miss threw red zone INTs and pick 6’s repeatedly throughout his career which is why he’s a backup.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
BA’s Red Pen Says:
September 28th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
We have some very soft and unintelligent fans. Our quarterback has the most TD passes in the NFL since the 23 season
This!!!
Go Bucs
September 28th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
I’m pretty sure BM6 ‘s goal line pick was tipped!!!! May very well have been a TD if it wasn’t tipped!
September 28th, 2025 at 8:20 pm
Thanks Rod for keeping your Winston Narrative alive after half a decade..
September 28th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
The Bucs were the better team but just didn’t have enough time to bring it to fruition.
How many times did Philly db’s pull the t-shirts of the Buc receivers, and there were no calls on it. Godwin probably catches all those balls if the referees would enforce the penalties they should be.
Mayfield’s interception was tipped or else it probably is a score. Evans was sorely missed by then to have quick TD’s without having to scramble.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
apparently the qb isn’t supposed to attempt to throw to his wide ass open receiver in the end zone. guess he’s supposed to wait until it’s 3rd and long or 4th and goal before he takes that shot. who knew?
September 28th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
if he’d thrown it away, we would have heard nothing but “godwin was open in the end zone, look at him waving, but since baker’s such a midget he couldn’t see him!”
September 28th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
We will see them again.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Dennis is a huge liability on defense. Dude makes KJ Britt look like a great cover LB.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Bucs were not overmatched. I like their chances at the end of the season if they can get healthy and keep improving.
I am disappointed that Klein was not able to nail down right guard. I don’t know if I’ll ever trust Haggard after seeing him get steamrolled one play against the Jets. The OL has hung tough, though.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:55 pm
I agree with you on the Bucs, Larrd. I feel like the Bucs proved they are an elite team considering how well they played with so many injuries on the team. No team in the NFL is going 17-0.
September 28th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
Touché sunny Says! Nice to know there’s someone that sees things objectively.
September 28th, 2025 at 9:11 pm
The Bucs always seem to be over matched in the beginning then seems adjustments are made. At least they are done sooner than before. I think they need to hit that 2 minute offense sooner if the offense it starts to bog down early on. On that int it was tipped because Baker threw it too low, a little air under it better chance of Godwin getting it instead
September 28th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Don’t forget bakers INT was tipped. Idk if it was the right choice but it had no chance after Dejean tipped it
September 28th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
There is something called BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ROD. Maybe if Winston was half as good as Mayfield by not, you know, throwing 30 interceptions, and not being an all around weirdo – then perhaps Winston would have been afforded that same luxury. Winston also has had ample opportunities to redeem/reinvent his career much like Mayfield. Instead, he holds a clipboard for a white guy that wears a bigger diamond necklace than a slow brained rapper
September 28th, 2025 at 9:30 pm
Coen is 3-1 with the Jags. At least we have Bowles and Grizzard though.
September 28th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
We really miss Liam Coen. There’s been a big drop off at OC, and I don’t need to hear ppl saying it’s bc of injuries. The play calling is well below the level set last year
September 28th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
CG was open. The decision was fine, the ball was tipped and the result unfortunate. The other guys get paid to make plays, too. Sometimes you have to tip your cap and move on to the next.
September 28th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Honestly the way they played today in the 2nd half surprised me.
Usually Baker only throws the short routes trying to rely on the pre-snap read and when he tucks its to run for the first down.
It’s clear that most of the time Mayfield is a 1 read run guy. In the past he really looked bad trying to be a pocket guy. He was a turnover machine. He’s not Tom Brady. He learned he has to play his game which is use his fastball to get the ball out quick and make a play with his legs if that first read is covered. On occasion he’ll hit intermediate throws, but really the short pass is his bread and butter.
Yeah we’ve seen him complete passes to 2nd and 3rd reads, but that’s not his game. He’s not a stand tall in the pocket guy.
It’s clear that’s what teams are going to do to stop Baker, especially with Evans out. They are going to play a lot of man press and short tight zone – and it was working really well until Mayfield got outside the pocket and let his recievers run out of the short zone.
Today he started looking downfield while extending plays conjuring a little Pat Mahomes.
When he hit on the deep balls to #2 and #7 that threw the game sideways because Philly couldn’t play press up any more, they had to respect break out deep routes.
For me it represented real offensive threat, because lets face it being a team that hangs around until the 4th quarter and wins on Baker’s scrambling heroics late isn’t a SB winning formula.
Am I totally sold? No The INT was bad, but I will say this – if Baker gets better at extending the play to beat the tight man and shallow zone they could have something.
Mahomes won 3 SBs with a scramble drill offense. If we’re honest, that’s what it was. Baker has a similar skillset. If he can avoid the bonehead throws and stay within himself during the scramble drill they should be able to light up the big play one or two times a game, maybe more.
If Baker can do that – I’ll become a Baker guy.
Having said all that Dennis is a bad football player. Egads. He was supposed to be a good cover LB, but he’s actually a terrible cover LB. Really bad. He’s great at the run blitz, but you don’t draft an undersized speedy LB to crash the gaps. You want him to be a LB that can cover and run sideline to sideline. Bucs need to figure out something there. It’s not working.
September 28th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
Benjamin Morrison looks like the real deal. Too bad he’s as fragile as Dean. Now both are out with injuries.
September 28th, 2025 at 10:00 pm
go bucs!! the next few games will be tough, we need to score more points fast!!
September 28th, 2025 at 10:02 pm
“The INT was tipped and thrown to Godwin. I commented live that I thought he should have thrown the ball away, but in replay, you can see he had a play. Hindsight doesn’t help.
Bucky’s *not* fumble was a bigger factor, as it was 7-14 point swing.”
Turnovers are turnovers. Intention means nothing, outcome is what turns games. “Live to play another down” is cliche because it’s true.
September 28th, 2025 at 10:16 pm
That was a Jameis ball if it wasn’t tipped and Godwin wasn’t calling for it. It was the ugliest thing I’ve seen since Byron’s offense and Jameis himself throwing a pick until that replay. Doesn’t excuse the INT really other than to say it wasn’t Jameis level bad like I initially thought.
I hate how much the ball is getting loose on Baker and not living to fight another day by chucking it in the stands sometimes but that comes with our QB. The other end of the spectrum is 45 year old Brady or Eli Manning just turtling in the pocket if they sense pressure. Baker lives to fight now.
September 28th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
Tykee is one HELLUVA football player! When i heard they were moving him over to Safety, I said THEN, that the Bucs will have THE BEST duo at the Safety Position, in the entire LEAGUE. The problem with that statement being, I ‘thought’ HE would be our 2nd-Best Safety on the team. He is NOT. He is solidly now, at Number-1… While, Winfield Junior has been virtually invisible, out there! I’ve been wondering if he’s even healthy!? You can literally, watch an entire game now, and not even know that he is out there. It’s Unbelievable. You never hear his name called, and you NEVER see him even in on a play! That’s a PROBLEM.
September 28th, 2025 at 10:50 pm
Regardless of the mistakes from the offense and defense, it was a pretty close game. I think this secondary is only going to get better.
September 28th, 2025 at 11:19 pm
Thanks Ira!
September 28th, 2025 at 11:38 pm
Ira, it is negligence on your behalf for not mentioning the ATROCIOUS OFFICIATING and the CONSTANT DIRTY PLAY by the Eagles defense.
They should have had 25 penalties in this game.
Phuck Philly
September 29th, 2025 at 1:22 am
I’m surprised Ira didn’t mention the ABISMAL JOKE OF OFFICIATING that took place in this game.
Much appreciated that the Joe’s wrote a whole article on it.
Eagles #27 Quinyon Mitchell was repeatedly called a “shutdown corner” by Brady’s cohort calling the game.
This dude is a defensive PI/HOLDING Jersey-tugging undershirt-ripping machine!!!!!!
Bowles needs to take all the video pics and send them to the NFL to address this pathetic lack of calling OBVIOUS BLATENT DPI’s & holds on Godwin & Ebuka’s routes.
It was maddening and a freaking embarassment to officiating!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 1:25 am
Oh yeah, and once again…….
BUCKY DID ***NOT*** FUMBLE THE BALL!!!!!
You had a closeup pic showing his shin in the grass WITH possession!!! But yet the review booth doesn’t see this but the fans sure as hell do on TV!!
This is TWO freaken weeks with butchered replays that these morons still didn’t correct and make right.
I’m tired of watching this utter PUTRID officiating against the Bucs!!
September 29th, 2025 at 2:31 am
the baker int was legitimately the most forced throw i’ve seen him make as a buccaneer…
or comparable to any forced throw he’s had while here…
i do think we win the next 2 games before going into detroit for our 2nd loss of the season
September 29th, 2025 at 5:14 am
This is and has been my only concern with this Bucs squad for a couple of years now. Sometime I feel like they just get a little too cocky and thing that simply just showing up nets them a win. If they play four full quarters I don’t doubt they win that game. Defense was pretty damn good especially second half. They just have to start the game the same way they finished it
September 29th, 2025 at 6:42 am
Bakers pick was tipped, if not tipped it would’ve hit Godwin in the endzone. Baker had zero time to throw in the first half, defense was atrocious in the first half but played great in the second half. O-line still ain’t healthy, missing two starting receivers, refs truly hurt the Bucs, I counted at least 6 hold penalties on our receivers. Bucky didn’t fumble, his shin was down. Special teams is a real problem that needs fixed, all in all being 3-1 ain’t too bad. Just got to get healthy and Bucs will make some noise
September 29th, 2025 at 7:19 am
Put Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan and Luke Goedeke back on this roster and the Bucs win. Easily.
September 29th, 2025 at 7:22 am
Solid summary, Ira.
Some of the ref calls on the Bucs were far-reaching, and from the clear photo highlighted, Bucky had possession. Bucs shirts were being pulled, no calls. And on top of it the ball Baker threw was tipped. Hindsight, maybe a field goal instead. No matter what, agree Baker did a good job. And kudos to Chase!
September 29th, 2025 at 7:42 am
Slow starts are our forte.
Mobile QBs kill us.
Good stuff Ira!
Go Bucs!
September 29th, 2025 at 10:19 am
3-1 is a solid start, but similar to past seasons. Next 4 games will tell us what we have….
September 29th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Vita Vea has to be the strongest player in the NFL. He makes sacks whenever his strong paws get on the QB. Even as he is being blocked he makes sacks. What an impressive player and the key to our defense.