-7, at -120? Wow, Eagle money rolling in, I just don't see it. There are those occasional games who's results I just shake my head at, WTF, and this would be one of them. I could be wrong but it's a-
Done deal-
BUCS -7, -120
My biggest concern for the Bucs is the RB situation. Earlier in the week, Fournette and Jones were anticipated to be ready but neither are today, that hurts. Ke'shawn Vaughn, who has been playing in Fournette's absence will be the primary back. Giovanni Bernard has been activated and Le'veon Bell is available too. What does all this mean? Vaughn is explosive but not a big strong guy like Fournette. Bernard and Bell, veterans they be, are both excellent receivers out of the backfield, even still. The short passing game will be the Bucs running game today, something Brady is familiar with when he had limited WRs in NE. Evans, Gronk, Brate, Scotty Miller, Breshad Perriman, and Tyler Johnson are all available and all receivers Brady likes and won't hesitate to throw too. Miller and Perriman are fast, in particular Perriman, one of the fastest players in the league but don't underestimate Miller either who has proven he can get open deep. Evans and Gronk speak for themselves, no one other than the Saints has slowed down Evans, and Gronk is Brady's guy, you best believe he'll be heavily targeted today, particularly in the red zone. The Bucs O-line is healthy, and one of the better lines in the league. If the Eagles expect to have any chance, their front must beat this line and get to Brady. Only team to consistently do that to Tampa, again, the Saints. If the Eagles don't get constant pressure on Brady today, fuhget get about it.
Bucs defense is pretty healthy. Lavonte David activated, hasn't played in a month and a guy who's stalwart against the run, a big reason why other teams recently had some success running against them. Shaq Barrett and JPP also return, so along with Devin White, the LB corp is intact, and you won't find a better group of LBs in the league. The Bucs have pounded lesser teams this season at RayJay, except of course, the Saints, and the very first game, a dramatic win over Dallas who as it turned out was a much better team than people thought at that time.
I like seeing all the Eagles money coming in, it's when it goes the other way do I get concerned.
Weather, my post, Pasting this in from another thread-
I have been posting weather updates in other threads, I live here and your local weather stations are always your most accurate, and again, I live here. Rain will pretty much be gone, it's raining now, maybe a light shower at the most during the game. Field has excellent drainage, don't expect a wet, slippery field. There will be some sun. It will be windy, steady up to 20, some higher gusts. Steady 18-20 is no big deal, in particular for Brady who's tight spirals cut through wind. The stadium is such that some of the wind is deflected by it's contour, have been to multiple games there. Gusts are intermittent, one may catch a higher thrown deep ball, and may affect the trajectory, but it would be a perfectly timed gust. Your average 20-30 yd pass should not be affected, certainly not for Brady, who has played in much worse, windier weather. Can't speak for Hurts there though. We're right off the Gulf of Mexico, it's always a little windy here, 10-15 mph is probably average, we play outdoor basketball in it and then some, no big deal, you get used to it. Hope this helps.
8:30 weather update Tampa
Storm is gone, wreaked a little havoc in the area. If this is as windy as it gets, definitely no big deal. I'm about 17 miles from the stadium across the bay where it's usually even windier. I've been saying this all week, won't be bad, and it's not. We know wind in Tampa Bay, was actually surprised it isn't blowing harder.
@mrusso
Great Information!
I have been going back and forth with this game with who is going to win up front. You have sold me with the Bucs offensive line and the Bucs linebackers slowing down Hurts and the eagles running game. Like Mac Jones this is Hurts 1st playoff game on the road and he will make some costly mistakes.
Good Luck
@Lucky Luciano
Eagles miraculously pulled out a backdoor cover the first game, I had em so I was pretty happy with that. I'm telling you, this game comes down to the Eagles D-line vs Bucs O-line, the Saints figured that out but they also had the players to execute their game plan, kind of like what Tampa did to Mahomes in the Superbowl. Do the Eagles? Can they get to Brady, and consistently? That my friend is why they play the game
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