Is this a potential downfall?
It appears that Buccaneers fans might witness a triumphant Monday night against the Eagles. Why? Well, the reputable Stephen A. Smith is expressing optimism for the Bucs, albeit reluctantly.
On his emphatic show “First Dump” this week, Smith hinted that Baker Mayfield could outperform the Eagles.
“I’ll be honest with you,” began SAS. “I’m inclined to say it’s quite possible [the Bucs will defeat the Eagles]. I’m going to lean towards a yes.
“I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen from the Philadelphia Eagles in the last six weeks. They’ve regressed significantly. A.J. Brown isn’t in top form, but I anticipate him being ready.
“However, when you consider Evans, Godwin, and the rest, along with Tampa’s defense under Todd Bowles, playing on their home turf, even if this were in Philadelphia, I might still give them the edge, albeit cautiously. So, why should I favor them on the road against Tampa Bay?
“I’m not liking the Eagles’ recent performance. They’re nothing like they were last year. So, the answer to your question: Yes, I anticipate Baker Mayfield to exploit the Eagles’ defense.”
This game sets the stage for Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rachaad White to have a stellar performance. Even Sam Howell and Tyrod Taylor have had success against the Eagles—Tyrod Taylor! Consider what Mayfield could achieve. However, there are two challenges to this theory.
Dave Canales and Todd Bowles prefer a run-heavy approach. Despite the Eagles maintaining a solid run defense, they struggle against aerial attacks.
The second hurdle is Mayfield’s uncertain health status. If he resembles his performance in Carolina on Sunday, it would be unwise for him to throw extensively.
So, if the Bucs deploy an injured quarterback again, they may be compelled to rely heavily on the run, falling into a risky trap. The question arises: Should Mayfield play if he’s not at his best? If Bowles is wary of Kyle Trask’s lack of experience (Canales mentioned Trask is “ready” last week), he might turn to the third-string QB, John Wolford, who at least boasts four NFL starts.