The landscape of the NFL can dramatically shift in just a few months. This is exemplified by the Philadelphia Eagles’ journey, who, after a strong start as the last undefeated team in the league, have stumbled into the playoffs with an 11-6 record.
Their trajectory contrasts with that of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have made a significant turnaround from a sluggish 3-5 start to secure a 9-8 record.
This sets the stage for an intriguing NFC Wildcard game, where the fifth-seeded Eagles face the fourth-seeded Buccaneers on the road. Here is our preview and best bets based on the latest NFL betting odds.
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Eagles vs Buccaneers Matchup
The Eagles finished the regular season with a record of 11-6. However, their performance waned towards the end, including a particularly lacklustre showing against the New York Giants in Week 18, a team that’s positioned for the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers rallied towards the season’s end, winning four of their last five games to finish with a 9-8 record.
They had a challenging start, with a 5-7 record as of December 10th, but their resurgence led them to clinch the NFC South title, securing home-field advantage for this playoff game.
For the Eagles, their season took a downturn at a critical juncture. Initially leading the NFC East, their late-season slump allowed the Dallas Cowboys to overtake them and claim the division title.
This pivotal shift sets the stage for an intriguing Wild Card matchup between the Eagles and the Buccaneers.
Eagles vs Buccaneers Prediction
This matchup between the Eagles and the Buccaneers is a classic example of two teams heading in opposite directions as the playoffs approach.
The Eagles have had a challenging stretch, losing five out of their last six games, while the Buccaneers have found their rhythm, winning five of their last six.
Injury concerns add another layer of complexity to the game. The Eagles are navigating key injuries, with Jalen Hurts struggling with a finger injury and A.J. Brown dealing with a knee issue. Conversely, the Buccaneers are entering this game relatively healthy.
Despite these challenges, my prediction leans towards the Eagles. It’s hard to overlook the significant talent disparity between these two teams and their overall records.
The Eagles, despite being on the road and having a tough end to their regular season, still possess the core that led them to the Super Bowl last year.
Given these factors, expect a tightly contested game, potentially closer than many would have predicted earlier in the season.
Eagles vs Buccaneers Best Bets
Eagles -3.5 @ 2.09
If this game were in Philadelphia, the Eagles might be favoured by about 6 points. However, the significance of the Buccaneers’ home advantage is up for debate. Tampa Bay had an even 4-4 record at home this season, while the Eagles posted a slightly better 5-4 record on the road, indicating that home field might not be a decisive factor in this matchup.
The Eagles’ prospects are further bolstered by the likelihood of Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown being fit to play. This is crucial as they face a Buccaneers offense that averaged 20.5 points per game this season, placing them in the lower half of the league in terms of scoring.
Over 44.5 Points @ 2.02
Combining their seasonal averages, these teams score and allow around 46 and 44.3 points per game, respectively. Despite playoff games typically featuring stronger defences, the Eagles’ defence has been underperforming, allowing at least 27 points in most of their recent games.
The Buccaneers, while on a winning streak, are still conceding nearly 20 points per game, including 25 to the Eagles earlier in the season. Given these trends, a higher-scoring game seems likely, making a bet on the over a reasonable choice.
*Odds subject to change.
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