We’re a little over 48 hours away from an intriguing matchup between two undefeated teams on Monday Night Football when the Buccaneers host the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium.
Jalen Hurts, and Baker Mayfield are Oklahoma alums and battle test signal callers who’ve battled adversity to put their teams in prime positions for success in 2023.
Buy Eagles TicketsOn defense, both teams have talented pass rushers and dynamic talent in the secondary.
With Saturday’s practice being the final day of preparation before boarding a plane for Tampa, Florida, we’re looking at ten players to watch.
QB Jalen Hurts
In his last visit to Tampa, Hurts was 23-43 passing, for 258 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, with a 60 QBR –badly missing on several throws, while being guilty of stepping up or leaving the pocket too early, and had a disastrous performance.
He’s a totally different player now, and Bucs head coach Todd Bowles will find out personally.
QB Baker Mayfield
After leaving Cleveland, Mayfield made stops in Carolina and Los Angeles with the Rams, but his best football could be ahead of him in Tampa Bay.
The Heisman Trophy winner is 20 of 23 for 201 yards and three touchdowns on third down this season.
His 87% completion percentage on third down is the best in the league, and his 132.1 passer rating in such situations is second only to the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins.
WR Mike Evans
The Bucs wide receiver is in the final year of his deal, but he’s still among the best at the position in the NFL.
The 30-year-old has an NFL-record nine straight 1,000-receiving-yard seasons to start a career.
Statistically, he’s heading towards a 10th season after starting the year off with 12 catches for 237 yards in the first two games this season.
WR A.J. Brown
The Eagles All-Pro duo has moved past an apparent disagreement during the Week 2 win over the Vikings, with A.J. Brown calling it a discussion.
The star wide receiver is due for a big game and a national stage opposite Mike Evans should do the trick.
Edge rusher Shaquil Barrett
A pass rushing machine, Barrett’s matchup with All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson will be something to watch.
Johnson has not surrendered a sack since Week 11 of the 2020 season – setting the record for most consecutive games (26) without allowing a sack.
Barrett had a sack and one-handed pick-six against the Bears, and he’ll be the player to watch.
DT Vita Vea
Philadelphia has a dynamic running game and Vea is just the guy that Tampa needs to help contain the middle.
Vea logged 1.5 sacks in Week Two against Justin Fields and through the first two games of the 2023 season, he’s been living in the opposing offense’s backfield.
DT Jalen Carter
Carter is among the league leaders in pressures from the defensive tackle position and he’s wrecking games without playing the majority of snaps.
TE Cade Otton
The Buccaneers like to employ two tight end sets and with Avonte Maddox out indefinitely, Otton could play a vital role in the middle of the field, and underneath.
Otton has logged eight receptions for 60 yards through two games in 2023, and Monday night offers a prime opportunity against an Eagles defense that can be succeptible down the middle.
LB Devin White
One of the most athletic linebackers in the NFL, White will play a role in containing Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert, along with dual threat running backs, D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell.
RB D'Andre Swift
Head coach Nick Sirianni has talked about riding the hot hand at the running back position, and Swift is that guy after a career high 175 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia’s win over Minnesota.
