NFL playoffs: Picks, predictions for Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Will Jalen Hurts outperform Tom Brady on the road?

Philadelphia Eagles TE Tyree Jackson (80) celebrates his touchdown vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Gardner Minshew (10) is hit in the head by Dallas Cowboys S Donovan Wilson (6) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell (14) gets past Dallas Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis (26) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles TE Tyree Jackson (80) celebrates his touchdown vs. the Dallas Cowboys with QB Gardner Minshew (10) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (6) warms up before a game vs. the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles CB Josiah Scott (33) tackles Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (21) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (4) warms up before a game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (6) warms up before a game vs. the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (4) warms up before a game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni signals during a timeout vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles CB Josiah Scott (33) celebrates after stopping Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (21) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell (14) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys S Donovan Wilson (6) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell (14) scores vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Gardner Minshew (10) avoids a Dallas Cowboys defender during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell (14) celebrates his touchdown vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell (14) gain yards vs. the Dallas Cowboys defense during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Jason Huntley (32) is surrounded by Dallas Cowboys defenders during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles TE Richard Rodgers (81) makes a catch vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Dallas Cowboys WR Cedrick Wilson (1) scores despite being tackled by Philadelphia Eagles DB Andre Chachere (21) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. The score up the Cowboys up 17-10.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Gardner Minshew (10) runs vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni leaves the field following a 51-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell (14) celebrates his touchdown vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Dallas Cowboys RB JaQuan Hardy (37) jumps past Philadelphia Eagles DB Andre Chachere (21) and DE Cameron Malveaux (59) to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles TE Tyree Jackson (80) is helped off the field vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles P Arryn Siposs (8) holds his head after a short punt vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles DB Andre Chachere (21) can’t stop Dallas Cowboys RB Ito Smith (43) from scoring during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Dallas Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch (55) intercepts a pass off the hands of WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (19) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles S Jared Mayden (41) and S K'Von Wallace (42) can’t bring down Dallas Cowboys RB JaQuan Hardy (37) DE Cameron Malveaux (59) before he scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Gardner Minshew (10) looks up after being sacked vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles DB Andre Chachere (21) and S Jared Mayden (41) can’t stop Dallas Cowboys RB Ito Smith (43) from scoring during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles WR Quez Watkins (16) pushes away Dallas Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch (55) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles WR Jalen Reagor (18) makes a catch vs. the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

The Eagles will look to upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday when they travel to Raymond James Stadium for a Super Wild Card Weekend playoff matchup.

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The two teams previously met in Week 6 when the Buccaneers defeated the Eagles, 28-22, at Lincoln Financial Field in a game that was significantly more lopsided than the final score indicated. The Eagles fell to 2-4 following the loss, but have since won seven of their past 11 games.

The Eagles finished 9-8 after turning things around in the second half of the season and going undefeated in December. First-year head coach Nick Sirianni guided the league’s top rushing offense and became the only member of the 2021 hiring cycle to make the playoffs. Second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts, 23, will be the youngest starting playoff quarterback in team history.

The Buccaneers are riding a three-game winning streak, despite notable injuries on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Tom Brady remains at the top of his game, as the aging process will seemingly never wear him down. The Buccaneers also have one of the best defensive fronts in the league.

Will Hurts and Sirianni lead the Eagles to a playoff upset win against the Buccaneers? Here’s what our writers think:

Mike Kaye: NJ Advance Media Eagles reporter

The Eagles’ epic regular-season turnaround should be celebrated, but unfortunately for them, they’re about to run into a buzzsaw in Tampa Bay. The Bucs defeated the Eagles, 28-22, in a Week 6 game that was not nearly as close as the final score indicated. The Bucs are better than the Eagles from top to bottom, and while Philly’s running game could keep the ball out of Tom Brady’s hands, the Bucs should be able to carve up the defense when they do regain possession.

PICK: Buccaneers 31, Eagles 27.

Chris Franklin: NJ Advance Media Eagles reporter

The Eagles will have some success running the ball against the Buccaneers’ defense but a two-minute drive in the fourth quarter leads to the Buccaneers closing out to win the game.

PICK: Buccaneers 23, Eagles 20.

Zack Rosenblatt: NJ Advance Media Giants reporter

The Eagles are a great story for a team that started slow, took heat for hiring Nick Sirianni, figured out their strength (running the ball) and went on a run at the end of the year to make the playoffs. They remain among the best teams in the trenches on both offense and defense. But ultimately, the Buccaneers are just the better team, and the Eagles haven’t had to play anyone of their caliber in a while.

PICK: Buccaneers 28, Eagles 17.

Joey Chandler: NJ Advance Media Jets reporter

The defending Super Bowl Champions send the Eagles packing as Tom Brady marches one step closer to another championship game.

PICK: Buccaneers 38, Eagles 20.

Darryl Slater: NJ Advance Media NFL reporter

Will the Eagles’ pass rush be able to get past that tough Tampa Bay line (a really good pass blocking unit) and rattle Tom Brady? That’s the big question entering this one. Ultimately, too much Brady.

PICK: Buccaneers 31, Eagles 20.

Joe Giglio: NJ Advance Media Sports reporter

The Eagles are healthier. The Eagles’ rushing offense is rolling. The Bucs rushing defense has cratered. Don’t be fooled by Tampa Bay putting up some points against the Jets and Panthers. This team is limping into the postseason. Get ready for an upset.

PICK: Eagles 27, Buccaneers 26.

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Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com.

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