Banged up Buccaneers, Brady don't expect Thursday night letdown against Philadelphia
After a dominant home win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head back out on the road with a quick turnaround for Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into the Bucs’ Week 6 matchup:
TOP STORYLINES
Banged-up Brady?
Bucs QB Tom Brady suffered an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand Sunday against the Dolphins, and had the injury wrapped after the game. He’s not the only NFL quarterback to be dealing with a frustrating injury after hitting his throwing hand on an opposing defender at the end of the throw, but it didn’t stop the GOAT from dropping 411 yards and 5 touchdowns on Miami, earning Brady NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He’s been limited in practice so far this week, while making it clear that he doesn’t expect the injury to slow him down Thursday night.
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More injury updates
The Bucs have so many injuries right now that it warrants two of this week’s top storylines. While many eyes will understandably be focused on Brady’s thumb injury, there are plenty of other key players trying to work their way back from various ailments.
LB Lavonte David is expected to miss Thursday night’s game with an ankle injury, while OLB Jason Pierre-Paul is playing through multiple injuries (shoulder, broken finger).
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said TE Rob Gronkowski is “really, really close” to making it back from multiple rib fractures in time for Thursday’s game, while there’s a possibility S Antoine Winfield Jr. gets out of concussion protocol in time to make the trip. C Ryan Jensen (hip) and WR Chris Godwin (knee/ankle) have also been limited this week, and are worth monitoring.
All-Season Lenny
From “Playoff Lenny” to “Lombardi Lenny,” last year’s postseason performance from RB Leonard Fournette earned him a well-deserved set of nicknames. Through five games this season, he’s proving himself to be “All-Season Lenny” (as he declared via Twitter), taking control of the Tampa Bay backfield and commanding the lion’s share of the touches.
Fournette has tallied over 100 yards of total offense in each of his last two games, proving to be a valuable asset in the passing game (both as a receiver and in pass protection), as well as an efficient and effective rusher.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Bucs WRs vs. Eagles CB Darius Slay
The Bucs have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to pass-catchers, with three legitimate No. 1 wide receivers in one offense (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown).
Whichever one draws Slay in coverage this week will have a tall task, however, as Slay proved in Week 5 that he’s still one of the best corners in the game. Slay grabbed two interceptions in Philly’s defense-propelled win over the Carolina Panthers, reminding everyone of his big-play ability.
LB Devin White vs. QB Jalen Hurts
Even if David was still in the lineup, defending Hurts’ unique skill set would be a daunting challenge for the Tampa Bay defense. Without him, the Bucs will have to rely on the elite speed and athleticism of White to keep Hurts from escaping the pocket and making big plays on the run, whether it’s with his legs or his arm.
White has been inconsistent at best so far this season after a stellar finish to his 2020 campaign, and this week would be an ideal time for him to enjoy a breakout performance.
Bucs’ secondary vs. Eagles’ WRs
The Bucs will still be without their top two corners for the foreseeable future, as both Carlton Davis III and Sean Murphy-Bunting are on injured reserve until further notice.
Jamel Dean played through a knee injury in Week 5, and the Bucs will be hoping he’s back to full strength this week. Richard Sherman should be getting more comfortable in his new scheme, while Ross Cockrell, Dee Delaney and Pierre Desir could also be called upon plenty.
The Eagles will challenge them with two young, explosive playmakers in DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor, both first-round picks in each of the past two NFL drafts.
Prediction
After a pair of sloppy performances on the road, the Bucs should have their confidence restored after last week’s complete blowout of the Dolphins.
Still, there are weak spots for the defending champs on both sides of the ball that can be exposed, and a road game on a short week is never easy, especially in a hostile environment like Philly.
The Eagles have playmakers on both sides of the ball who can challenge the Bucs to bring their best on every play, and that’s what it’ll take for them to hang in this game.
It’ll be closer than some might expect, but Tampa Bay is simply too talented and explosive on offense, with Brady playing arguably the best football of his legendary career right now.
Bucs 34, Eagles 27