Eagles vs. Buccaneers Point Spread: NFL Week 4 Odds, Prediction
Two of Philadelphia’s last three seasons have ended in the NFC Wild-Card round via losses to the Buccaneers, adding some fuel to the fire this Sunday.
The 2-1 Eagles will likely be shorthanded on offence this go-around as receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, along with tackle Lane Johnson all did not participate in practice Wednesday due to injuries. These absences didn’t stop Philadelphia from snatching a gritty road win last week as the Eagles defence stepped up in a 15-12 victory at New Orleans. The Bucs are coming off a head-scratching 26-7 defeat to Denver in Week 3, dropping Tampa Bay to 2-1 too.
Kickoff at Raymond James Stadium goes at 1 p.m. EDT with the Eagles currently a 2-point road favourite and the total at 44 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Injuries to Philadelphia’s offence aside, there’s a ton to like about the under in this spot. Philadelphia’s again near the top five in rushing attempts per game this season with 33.3, an area they’ll likely to dive into even harder with the probable absences in the receiving core plus the hot start to Saquon Barkley’s 2024 campaign. And running the ball eats clock. Secondly, Tampa Bay can’t protect quarterback Baker Mayfield. Over the past two weeks the Bucs have allowed 12 sacks, plays that also eat clock while ruining offensive possessions.
Then nearly every Eagles or Bucs trend out there is toward the under. All five of Philadelphia’s last five road games have gone under the total, as have four of the Bucs last five home games. Six of the last nine Eagles–Bucs contests in Tampa Bay have gone under the total too.
Philadelphia Eagles
If receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both can’t go Sunday, the Eagles offensive game plan should revolve around Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert. And even if everyone in or around this game knows that, stopping Barkely and Goedert is easier said then done — just ask New Orleans. Barkley bounced back in a huge way in Week 3, rushing for 147 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the 15-12 win. Goedert finished with 10 catches for 171 yards.
Philadelphia’s defence had a rocky start to 2024 but certainly got their mojo back by holding New Orleans to 219 yards of offence. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter was PFF’s top-graded defender in Week 3 but the D-line as a whole still has yet to get home. Philadelphia’s four team sacks are near the bottom of the NFL — something that has to improve versus Tampa’s o-line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Maybe the Bucs got humbled and they’re not as for real as prior public perception, or maybe Week 3’s 26-7 home loss to Denver was an anomaly. Sunday’s bound to reveal more clarity to who this Bucs team really is. The big concern is the offensive line, which has surrendered 12 sacks in the past two weeks. Tampa Bay began to play from behind and Baker Mayfield never got settled, only mustering up one scoring drive.
Chris Godwin was again on the receiving end of Mayfield’s lone touchdown pass last weekend. Godwin’s seventh in the NFL with 253 receiving yards and has three touchdown catches as well. Another player on offence to keep an eye on is rookie running back Bucky Irving. The 22-year-old out of Oregon has 30 touches this season and had a team-high nine carries in Week 3.
PHI
TB