NFL WILD CARD GAME 6: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

BY ADAM GREENE

Our Wild Card Weekend wraps up with the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles traveling to the strip club capital of the world to face off against the NFC South Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This will be the 23^rd meeting all time between the two franchises with the series tied up at 11-11. The Bucs have been on a tear in the rivalry of late, winning four of the last five going back to 2016. They last faced off back on Sep. 25 with the Eagles breaking a four-game losing streak to Tampa Bay with a 25-11 victory.

Jalen Hurts was 23 of 37 passing for 277 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the win. D’Andre Swift rushed 16 times for 130 yards. AJ Brown (who might not play Monday) caught nine passes for 131 yards. Olamide Zaccheaus hauled in two balls for 58 yards and a score.

In the loss, Baker Mayfield was 15 of 25 passing for 146 yards, one touchdown and a pick. Rachaad White had 14 carries for 38 yards. Mike Evans caught five passes for 60 yards and a score.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (+3, O/U: 44)

Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

Broadcast: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Kickoff: Jan. 15, 8:15 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6)

After cruising through most of the regular season, the Eagles limped to the finish line, losing five of their last six games, including two over two teams that will pick in the Top 6 if April’s NFL Draft. Last week they ended their lackluster December and early January with a 27-10 loss to the New York Giants. Jalen Hurts was 7 of 16 passing for 55 yards, no touchdowns and a pick before exiting the game with an injury. Marcus Mariota came out of the bullpen to go 13 of 20 passing for 148 yards, one touchdown and one interception. They were sacked a combined five times. Kenneth Gainwell rushed seven times for 62 yards. Quez Watkins caught eight passes for 93 yards. The defense held the Giants to 109 total yards on the ground, picked off Tyrod Taylor once and sacked him once.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-8)

The Buccaneers hoisted their second straight NFC South banner after an unwatchable 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 18. Baker Mayfield was 20 of 32 passing for 137 yards. Rachaad White rushed 19 times for 75 yards. Chris Godwin caught six passes for 51 yards. The defense sacked Bryce Young three times and obviously preserved the shutout.

THE PICK

The temptation to pick the Bucs in this one is palpable and if they’d put on a better showing against the hapless Panthers, in a week where their playoff lives were on the line, I’d roll with them. But they didn’t even score a touchdown against one of the worst defenses on the planet. Philadelphia is banged up and a return trip to the Super Bowl is doubtful, but they should have enough here. Though, to be fair, an upset wouldn’t shot me at all. Eagles 20, Buccaneers 17

Last week

Straight up: 9-7

Against the spread: 11-5

Season

Straight up: 188-84

Against the spread: 173-99

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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