Monday Night Football: This Could Be an Upset

[protectionist]

Monday Night Football is an interesting phenomenon. The whole country tunes in to ABC or ESPN for it, with no other games played simultaneously. You have almost 70 million people in the general living areas of the 8 teams of the NFC East & South + millions more in their NFC conference, and just a lot of people curious to see if the underdog (the Bucs 5 point) can pull off an upset against one of the top teams in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hopefully, injuries won't be too much of a factor. On the Tampa Bay side, the most serious are cornerback Carlton Davis, a huge setback for the Bucs, if he doesnt play. Another is Vita Vea, also questionable presently. The 350 pound Vea is one of the prime reasons why the Bucs are 2nd in the NFL against the run (Philly's main offensive attack)

On the Eagles side, there aren't any questionable players as serious as Davis & Vea on the Bucs side, but there are some listed.

If any one player could be the most central figure for this game it might be D'Andre Swift who is averaging 6.1 yards/carry on 29 rushes. His problem is going up against the Bucs run defense, which no team in the NFL is better at stopping him.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/philadelphia/stats/
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/tam/stats/
In a general comparison >>

• the Eagles are 2nd in the NFL in rushing, but the Bucs defense is also 2nd in stopping the run. Even.
• the Eagles are 27th in passing, while the Bucs passing defense is 24th. About Even.
• the Bucs are 19th in rushing, and the Eagles are 1st in stopping the run. Edge - Eagles.
• The Bucs are 12th in passing, with the Eagles 31st in stopping the pass. Big Edge -Bucs
• In the kicking game, the 2 teams are about even, both having excellent kickers over 80%, and with long FGs of 57-61 yards.

I don't see too much of a difference in the matchup here other than the Bucs' very talented receivers going up against the Eagles pitifully weak pass defense. I'm looking to see Baker Mayfield (leads the NFL with least sacks) shred the Philly secondary, with numerous passes to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and tight end Cade Otton.

Despite this huge advantage for the Bucs, I'm calling this game EVEN, with the winner taking it by one point.

 

[protectionist]

I also forgot to mention that the Bucs have 2 defenders in the NFL top 5 in interceptions. Christian Izien with 2, and Shaq Barrett with 1. Eagle have 1 interception - Darius Slay.

Both teams are high in good turnovers. Bucs are 2nd in NFL with +5. Eagles are 3rd with+ 4. Bucs are tied for first with zero turnovers committed.

 

[Jack4freedom]

I also forgot to mention that the Bucs have 2 defenders in the NFL top 5 in interceptions. Christian Izien with 2, and Shaq Barrett with 1. Eagle have 1 interception - Darius Slay.

Both teams are high in good turnovers. Bucs are 2nd in NFL with +5. Eagles are 3rd with+ 4. Bucs are tied for first with zero turnovers committed.

Good to see that you are back on your team Bert. You were trashing them a few weeks ago. My Steelers got trounced at home against the 49ers but came back with a great defensive effort against the Browns on Monday night. Long way to go this year. If your boys keep playing good defense and improve over the season and Mayfield continues to develop, your Buc’s could be a factor in the playoffs. Same with the Steelers.

 

[protectionist]

Good to see that you are back on your team Bert. You were trashing them a few weeks ago. My Steelers got trounced at home against the 49ers but came back with a great defensive effort against the Browns on Monday night. Long way to go this year. If your boys keep playing good defense and improve over the season and Mayfield continues to develop, your Buc’s could be a factor in the playoffs. Same with the Steelers.

So what's your pick for this Monday night ? And based on what ?

 

[Jack4freedom]

So what's your pick for this Monday night ? And based on what ?

I would lay the 5 points and take the Eagles in this one. TB has looked good early but the Eagles are a top rated team for good reasons. If TB could win this game outright, it would be a big lift for them. But if I were betting my money would be on the Eagles.

 

[protectionist]

I would lay the 5 points and take the Eagles in this one. TB has looked good early but the Eagles are a top rated team for good reasons. If TB could win this game outright, it would be a big lift for them. But if I were betting my money would be on the Eagles.

The stats from the past 4 games, don't seem to give the Eagles an edge. Click the links in th OP. Should be interesting.

 

[Jack4freedom]

The stats from the past 4 games, don't seem to give the Eagles an edge. Click the links in th OP. Should be interesting.

Not only that but historically Home Dogs on Monday Night do very well. Still, I like the Eagles minus the points.

Eagles 24 Bucs 17

Steelers are 2 1/2 point underdogs against the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday Night Football. My bet is that there will be at least as many Steeler fans there as Raider fans and the Steeler D will carry the game easily.

Steelers 21 Raiders 10

 

[4/15]

Waddle will not be on the field.

 

[protectionist]

Not only that but historically Home Dogs on Monday Night do very well. Still, I like the Eagles minus the points.

Eagles 24 Bucs 17

Steelers are 2 1/2 point underdogs against the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday Night Football. My bet is that there will be at least as many Steeler fans there as Raider fans and the Steeler D will carry the game easily.

Steelers 21 Raiders 10

I'll make a prediction - Bucs 56 Eagles 49

Eagles simply will not be able to stop Bucs passing attack. Bucs will shred them all game long. Eagles thus will keep getting possession of the ball, and thus will wind up to score a lot too.

Think I'm crazy, folks ? Tune in Monday night.

 

[Jack4freedom]

I'll make a prediction - Bucs 56 Eagles 49

Eagles simply will not be able to stop Bucs passing attack. Bucs will shred them all game long. Eagles thus will keep getting possession of the ball, and thus will wind up to score a lot too.

Think I'm crazy, folks ? Tune in Monday night.

Buc’s defense could not keep up with Eagles far superior Offensive Line. They did not get any offense going until the 4th quarter then the Eagles easily ran out the clock on them. Eagles are a great Super Bowl team with a great defense and a balanced offense. Buc’s have some talent on both sides of the ball but lots of holes to fill. They now know what it will take to become a playoff caliber team. If they continue to improve they could become that but there are a lot of BIG ?????

Steeler offense improved and their defense has come up big two weeks in a row. They could definitely become a factor if they continue to improve their running game and pass blocking.

I was 5 for 6 this week and 13 for 18 for the season….

 

[protectionist]

Buc’s defense could not keep up with Eagles far superior Offensive Line. They did not get any offense going until the 4th quarter then the Eagles easily ran out the clock on them. Eagles are a great Super Bowl team with a great defense and a balanced offense. Buc’s have some talent on both sides of the ball but lots of holes to fill. They now know what it will take to become a playoff caliber team. If they continue to improve they could become that but there are a lot of BIG ?????

Steeler offense improved and their defense has come up big two weeks in a row. They could definitely become a factor if they continue to improve their running game and pass blocking.

I was 5 for 6 this week and 13 for 18 for the season….

The Eagles offensive line was not really superior. The Bucs defensive line ALWAYS looks like that, against every team. They have zero pass rush, and they have never had one since they won the Super Bowl a few years ago.

Eagles do not have a great defense - only against the run - they are next to last in pass defense. Bucs should have shredded them, and for some strange reason they waited until the 4th quarter, with a good 75 yard drive (touchdown) to do it, after being asleep all game long. Very odd game.

I hope the Bucs make it to the playoffs and play th Eagles again (with Carlton Davis and with a normal state of mind)

 

[Jack4freedom]

The Eagles offensive line was not really superior. The Bucs defensive line ALWAYS looks like that, against every team. They have zero pass rush, and they have never had one since they won the Super Bowl a few years ago.

Eagles do not have a great defense - only against the run - they are next to last in pass defense. Bucs should have shredded them, and for some strange reason they waited until the 4th quarter, with a good 75 yard drive (touchdown) to do it, after being asleep all game long. Very odd game.

I hope the Bucs make it to the playoffs and play th Eagles again (with Carlton Davis and with a normal state of mind)

Anyone who watched the game clearly saw that the Eagles ran the ball at will for the entire game. There was no real pass rush from Tampa either. Eagles offensive line dominated. Philly dominated Tampa for an easy win by controlling both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Eagles stuffed Bucs running game and pressured and rushed Baker Mayfield all night. They are a great defense and proved it last night. Their offense was effective both running and throwing the ball all night. Along with the 49ers, The Eagles are favorites to win the NFC. If they stay healthy they will be though to beat. The Bucs need to work on the basics. Blocking and tackling.

 

[protectionist]

Anyone who watched the game clearly saw that the Eagles ran the ball at will for the entire game. There was no real pass rush from Tampa either. Eagles offensive line dominated. Philly dominated Tampa for an easy win by controlling both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Eagles stuffed Bucs running game and pressured and rushed Baker Mayfield all night. They are a great defense and proved it last night. Their offense was effective both running and throwing the ball all night. Along with the 49ers, The Eagles are favorites to win the NFC. If they stay healthy they will be though to beat. The Bucs need to work on the basics. Blocking and tackling.

You are right about the blocking & tackling part. I couldn't believe how many missed tackles I saw the Bucs do. I was thinking > "do these guys think this is 2 hand touch ?" Wow.

Bucs need to get Devon White, Vea, Carlton Davis healthy again and get a pass rush. How frustrating to watch an opposing QB with all day to throw the ball. Eventually somebody's going to get open.

 

[Jack4freedom]

You are right about the blocking & tackling part. I couldn't believe how many missed tackles I saw the Bucs do. I was thinking > "do these guys think this is 2 hand touch ?" Wow.

Bucs need to get Devon White, Vea, Carlton Davis healthy again and get a pass rush. How frustrating to watch an opposing QB with all day to throw the ball. Eventually somebody's going to get open.

Both times the Bucs won the Super Bowl they had GREAT DEFENSES. With Gruden they owned the line of scrimmage. When they beat KC they ran that little prick Mahomes into the ground and all Brady had to do was not blow the game. Defenses and offensive lines win Super Bowls. All 6 Steeler SB wins were result of great D and running game. Same with 49ers and Patriots….Blocking and tackling makes it all come together. Your team has a few missing pieces but it’s early and they can get better. Better to be hot in late November and December than in September.