Eagles dominate Bucs in undefeated battle

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were defeated by the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, ending their undefeated winning streak. With a lack of offensive synergy, mistakes and missed tackles on defense, the Buccaneers' fate was sealed on Monday Night Football. Tampa Bay's defense gave up 472 total yards, including 201 on the ground — the most a Bucs defense has given up since Week 12 of 2020 against the Chiefs.

After the Buccaneers' first possession, the defense made a key stop. Sophomore Zyon McCollum broke up a pass in the end zone intended for Olamide Zaccheaus.On the next play, Kenneth Gainwell was tackled for a loss by Ryan Neal, forcing a turnover on downs.

The Eagles failed to capitalize on Britain Covey's 52-yard 52-yard return to the Tampa Bay 44. The Bucs' Shaquil Barrett applied pressure on third, scoring fourth-and-15 and following Jake Elliott's Philadelphia field goal. The Bucs followed with a three-and-out and lost quickly. Baker Mayfield was sacked at second by Marlon Tuipulotu, leading to third and long.At the end of the first quarter, the Bucs led by only three, but the Eagles outgained Tampa Bay , a total yardage of 113-34.

Tampa Bay's promising 13-play, 69-yard drive to start the second half - including a 16-yard run by Rachaad White and an 18-yard catch-and-run by Chris Godwin - the Bucs had to accept a Chase McLaughlin scored after a fall in the end zone. The Eagles responded with their first touchdown of the day. Jalen Hurts avoided the pressure and scored on Olamide Zaccheaus for a 34-yard score on third-and-10, extending the club's lead, 10-3. Before halftime, the self-inflicted injury became the main storyline for the Bucs.After Devin White's interception at the Tampa Bay 17-yard line, a sack by Baker Mayfield (-11) and a subsequent fumble (recovered by James Bradberry) negated the momentum-changing play.

Opening the third quarter, the Eagles drove down the field, capping a 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Hurts. Philadelphia tried to use a midfield keeper on third and goal unsuccessfully, but repeated the same play on fourth with seven points. This game marked the 37th sneaky 40-play conversion over the past two seasons (including the playoffs) for Philadelphia. Late in the third quarter, Dee Delaney threw an interception.Hurts tried to separate two defenders with DeVonta Smith as the
's intended target, but Delaney cut off the pass. However, on the next play, Rachaad White was tackled in the end zone by an Eagles safety. This play became a microcosm of the Bucs' night.

 The Bucs' offense came to life in the fourth quarter, with Mike Evans as the catalyst. Evans' 24-yard run and subsequent gravity-defying one-handed catch down the middle of the field scored a touchdown. Mayfield connected with Evans on a 1-yard pass and cut the deficit to 25-11 on Godwin's two-point conversion. Despite the late surge, the undisciplined play throughout the contest became too much for Tampa Bay to overcome.