Spotlights shine in expected areas following the Eagles' breakdown in Tampa Bay

The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a disappointing 33-16 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. This was one of those games that exposed significant weaknesses on both sides of the ball.

Playing without key players like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson, the Eagles struggled to find any rhythm, leaving fans and analysts plenty to unpack. From offensive mishaps to defensive lapses, this game highlighted several areas where the Eagles must improve if they want to remain contenders in the NFC.

With the bye week approaching, Philadelphia has much to reflect on before facing their next challenge. The team’s resilience will be tested as they regroup and work to correct fundamental issues on both sides of the ball.

The offense struggles without its dynamic WR duo.

The absence of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith created a significant void in the Eagles' offensive game plan. Without his top two targets, Jalen Hurts jockeyed to establish any consistent passing rhythm.

Although Dallas Goedert stepped up with seven receptions for 62 yards, it simply wasn’t enough to keep the offense competitive. The Eagles' wide receivers combined for just 34 yards, highlighting the offense's inefficiency.

Moreover, Hurts' ball security remains a pressing issue, as his red-zone fumble late in the game was a critical turning point. This marked his 27th turnover in the past 21 games, underlining the importance of improving his pocket awareness and decision-making under pressure.

Defensive breakdowns and missed opportunities abound.

The Eagles’ defense had no answer for Baker Mayfield, who completed 30 passes for 347 yards and three total touchdowns. Early in the game, the Eagles allowed Tampa Bay to score on four of their first five drives, putting Philadelphia in an early hole from which they couldn't recover.

Missed tackles have been a persistent issue for this defense, and Sunday was no different. Nakobe Dean struggled in coverage and missed several tackles, allowing the Buccaneers to exploit the middle of the field with quick, short passes.

Philadelphia's perimeter defense was also tested, as Mayfield often targeted the edges, exposing the Eagles’ secondary.

Special teams miscues add to the frustration.

Philadelphia’s special teams unit had a rough outing as well, contributing directly to Tampa Bay's early lead. A botched punt return, where Isaiah Rodgers pushed a Tampa player into Cooper DeJean, led to a fumble and gave the Buccaneers a prime scoring opportunity.

These types of mental mistakes continue to cost the Eagles valuable field position and, ultimately, points on the scoreboard. However, not all was lost on special teams. Rodgers did block an extra point and Kelee Ringo returned it for a rare two-point score. This was a small bright spot in an otherwise rough day for the Eagles.

Looking ahead

The Eagles head into their bye week at 2-2, a record that doesn’t reflect the high expectations many had for the team this season. With a challenging matchup against the Cleveland Browns after the bye, there is no room for complacency.

Nick Sirianni and his staff have their work cut out for them as they aim to correct fundamental issues, such as tackling, ball security, and play-calling efficiency.

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