After playing Tampa Bay to a 7-7 draw in the first quarter, the Eagles fell behind in the second, allowing the Buccaneers to gain 192 yards and score three touchdowns, all on passes by rookie quarterback Jameis Winston. As the Eagles enter halftime trailing 28-14, here are some takeaways from the second frame… 

Tampa Bay Strikes Quickly To Jump Ahead

On 1st-and-10 from their own 15-yard line, running back Doug Martin received a handoff from Jameis Winston, found a hole, and broke free for an 84-yard gain down the sideline. He was caught from behind by Connor Barwin, who pushed him out of bounds at the 1-yard line. A delay of game against the Bucs brought the ball back to the 6-yard line, and after a 2-yard run and an incomplete pass brought up 3rd-and-goal from the four-yard line, Winston found wide receiver Russell Shepard in the back of the end zone for his third touchdown pass of the day. 

Ertz Shaken Up After Scary Play

On a 3rd-and-11 play from the Eagles' 35-yard line early in the second quarter, Zach Ertz caught a ball short of the sticks and attempted to hurdle a defender. His feet got caught on the defender's shoulder pads, and he got flipped forward, landing awkwardly on his head and neck. After staying down for a few tense moments, he got up under his own power and was taken to the locker room, where he was examined for a head injury. 

Sproles Gives The Eagles Life

Down 21-7 with just over six minutes left until halftime, the Eagles got the spark they desperately needed, with running back Darren Sproles scoring on a well-designed screen play to make it 21-14. Coming off three straight three-and-outs, Philadelphia was faced with a 3rd-and-3 from the Tampa Bay 35. Mark Sanchez received the shotgun snap, looked off Sproles, then at the last moment, glanced his direction and flipped the pass to him in the flat. The veteran back bursted up the field with guard Matt Tobin and wideout Nelson Agholor in front. Those two gave him the daylight he needed, and he took it all the way into the end zone untouched for his third touchdown of the year. 

Heartbreak To End The Second Quarter

After trimming the deficit to seven points with six minutes left, the Eagles gave up a 13-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that took five minutes off the clock. The drive was nearly cut short at midfield, but the Bucs elected to go for it on 4th-and-1, getting the yards they needed with a 3-yard run up the middle by Doug Martin. After two passes were nearly intercepted after being tipped by linebacker Conner Barwin, Jameis Winston completed a 14-yard pass for a touchdown to running back Charles Sims. The play gave the rookie signal-caller his fourth touchdown toss of the day. On the ensuing drive, the Eagles worked the ball into Tampa Bay territory, but turned it over on third down with 16 seconds left.