There’s a certain type of Florida heat that feels like a living opponent. It clings to you, saps your strength, and becomes a twelfth man on the field. For the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, this adversary from a painful 2024 loss in Tampa is the real opponent waiting in Week 4.
Now, the reigning champs are trying a new trick to slay this particular demon. But the Buccaneers' quarterback is already scoffing at the attempt.
The Eagles are flying south to Tampa on Friday. They want two full days to acclimate to the stifling humidity before Sunday's kickoff. However, Baker Mayfield thinks it’s a pointless exercise. On FOX's Rearview podcast, he dismissed the strategy. He believes it only makes the Eagles think about the heat more.
"I don’t necessarily think that helps them," Mayfield said. “One day doesn’t get you acclimated to this humidity. I think, honestly, it makes them think about it more when they get down here earlier.” This sets the stage for a battle of wills as much as a battle of athletes. But Mayfield’s confidence isn’t just hot air.
The Buccaneers have owned this matchup lately. They have won six of the last seven games against Philadelphia (including postseason games). You guys remember the dominant 33-16 victory last September?
In that game, Mayfield was nearly flawless. He threw for 347 yards and three total touchdowns. The Eagles' defense looked helpless in the sweltering conditions. This history makes the travel adjustment understandable, yet risky. Meanwhile, the man tasked with stopping Mayfield offered surprising praise.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to the media this week. His comments were far from standard coach-speak. “I’ve always liked Mayfield,” Fangio stated. “Why these teams that had him didn’t keep him, I don’t know. But GMs make mistakes, just like coaches do.” This admiration from a respected defensive mind adds a fascinating layer to the contest. Is it genuine respect or strategic misdirection?
The stakes could not be higher. Both teams are a perfect 3-0. The winner grabs a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker. This game has all the makings of an NFC Championship preview. For the Eagles, it’s about proving last year’s loss was a fluke. For Tampa, it’s about asserting their legitimacy as a true contender. The Florida heat is just the backdrop for a high-stakes showdown.
Fangio's Respect vs. Mayfield's Swagger
Vic Fangio’s admiration for Mayfield is backed by cold, hard stats. The Bucs' quarterback is playing the best football of his career. Through three games, he is 3-0 and has yet to throw an interception. He has already scrambled for nearly 120 yards. This dual-threat capability is a nightmare for any defensive planner. And Fangio knows this all too well.
He acknowledged the challenge Mayfield presents. “The quarterback is playing really good. He’s a scrambler... so that’s always an issue.” On the flip side, Mayfield’s comments about the heat reveal a psychological chess match.
Baker is conveniently trying to get inside the Eagles' heads before they even step on the plane. The Eagles' defense, however, is not the same unit from a year ago.
They have forced a turnover in every game this season. The addition of Cooper DeJean has solidified the secondary. But the ultimate test will be containing a red-hot Mayfield. Can Fangio’s scheme disrupt the quarterback he so openly respects? Or will his praise look like a premonition when the final whistle blows on Sunday?
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Kickoff is 1:00 pm EST. The grills outside Raymond James will already be smoking. So will the scoreboard. And rule number one on Sunday? The last unblemished record in the NFC belongs to the team that stops thinking about the heat and starts playing in it.