Philadelphia Eagles News

Game Recap: Buccaneers 32, Eagles 9

Jan 15, 2024 at 11:38 PM

Owen Boyle

The Eagles' season came to a disappointing end in the NFC Wild Card Round as they fell on the road to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 32-9.

The offense went a combined 0-for-11 on third and fourth down while managing just 42 rushing yards. All nine of their points came in the second quarter.

Despite sacking Baker Mayfield three times on third down and four times in the game, the defense allowed touchdowns to three different receivers and struggled with missed tackles throughout the night.

Find out how the game transpired:

First Quarter

(10:05) The Eagles' defense grinded out a stop in the red zone, forcing the Bucs to settle for a 28-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin. Back-to-back passes on second- and third-and-3 fell incomplete with coverage by Avonte Maddox and Eli Ricks. (Bucs 3 - Eagles 0)
(5:59) The Bucs found the end zone first. Baker Mayfield hit David Moore over the middle, giving the receiver a chance to run in the open field and break tackles for a 44-yard touchdown. Multiple Eagles defenders ran into each other on the play. (Bucs 10 - Eagles 0)

Second Quarter

(15:00) SACK! Josh Sweat took down Mayfield for a loss of 4 yards, his first sack since Week 9.

(14:08) McLaughlin connected on his second field goal of the night from 54 yards. Zach Cunningham had his fingertips on an interception but dropped the ball as he helped the Eagles' defense get a much-needed stop. (Bucs 13 - Eagles 0)
(11:35) The Eagles got on the board! Jake Elliott drilled a 47-yard field goal. DeVonta Smith came alive on the drive, catching two passes for 43 yards. On third-and-8, a pass to Smith was batted incomplete, forcing Nick Sirianni's team to settle for the three points. (Bucs 13 - Eagles 3)
(5:35) The Bucs answered right back with a field goal of their own. McLaughlin nailed a 48-yard field goal for his third make of the night. Once again, it was Cunningham who got his hand on Mayfield's third-down pass over the middle, forcing the Bucs to kick. (Bucs 16 - Eagles 3)
(3:10) TOUCHDOWN! What a drive by the Eagles! Hurts found a wide-open Dallas Goedert on a perfectly ran RPO. On the play before, Hurts connected with Smith on a 55-yard pass to the Tampa Bay 5-yard line. On the extra point attempt, Zyon McCollum jumped offside, allowing the Eagles to go for two from the 1-yard line. However, Hurts was stuffed at the goal line on the Brotherly Shove. (Bucs 16 - Eagles 9)

.@goedert33 walks it in 🤝 pic.twitter.com/JC5TTCLKAI
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 16, 2024

(1:52) SACK! Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox combined to throw down Mayfield for a loss of 7 yards. Graham was there first to wrap up the quarterback and Cox came in late to take him down. However, the sack was credited to Graham.

Third Quarter

Wide receiver Julio Jones was ruled out with a concussion.
(12:03) SACK! Mayfield was sacked on third down again! Cox and Nolan Smith forcefully hit the quarterback, taking him to the ground as he barely held onto the football.

(4:35) SACK! Another third-down sack, and this time it was Milton Williams! He took down Mayfield for a 9-yard loss, forcing the Bucs out of field goal range.
(2:28) Hurts was called for an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone on third down, resulting in a safety. (Bucs 18 - Eagles 9)
(1:30) Mayfield found Trey Palmer for a 56-yard touchdown. The speedy receiver eluded numerous tackle attempts as he bolted into the end zone to extend the lead. (Bucs 25 - Eagles 9)

Fourth Quarter

(12:02) On fourth-and-5 from the Tampa Bay 17-yard line, Hurts' pass to Smith was knocked away in the end zone by Carlton Davis.
Cornerback Darius Slay was carted off the field with an undisclosed injury.
(5:47) Mayfield threw a touchdown to a third different receiver. This time, Chris Godwin caught a lofted ball from his quarterback, who was blitzed, on third down for a 23-yard score. (Bucs 32 - Eagles 9)
(3:12) The Eagles turned it over on downs.

Game Leaders

Passing

PHI QB Jalen Hurts: 25/35, 250 yards, 1 TD

TB Baker Mayfield: 22/36, 337 yards, 3 TD

Rushing

PHI RB D'Andre Swift: 10 carries, 34 yards

TB Rachaad White: 18 carries, 72 yards

Receiving

PHI WR DeVonta Smith: 8 rec., 148 yards

TB TE Cade Otton: 8 rec., 89 yards

Defense

PHI LB Nicholas Morrow: 10 tackles, 1 TFL