Eagles Game Preview vs. Buccaneers: Analysis, prediction, TV info
Eagles at Buccaneers -- Week 14
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, with announcers Dick Stockton and John Lynch)
Spread: Buccaneers by 7½ points
Forecast: Partly cloudy, slight chance of rain; projected kickoff temperature: mid-70s.
Records: Eagles (Overall: 3-9; NFC East: 1-3). Buccaneers (Overall: 6-6; NFC South: 2-2)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 11, 2009: Eagles 33, Bucs 14; Oct. 22, 2006: Bucs 23, Eagles 21. Series record: Eagles lead 8-7.
What matters: It's clear that the Eagles are just playing out the string and it's expected coach Andy Reid and his staff will be fired when this season finally ends. What nobody knows is which players will be back in an Eagles uniform next season, and that's what matters most -- showing that they can be a part of the future of this franchise, no matter the coach or the system he installs. Nobody on the team wants to look back on the past, so the focus is now on the future.
Who matters: The Eagles know rookie Nick Foles will be their QB for the rest of the season. But how about next season? The final four games, starting on Sunday, will really be an audition for Foles so the Eagles can go into the offseason knowing that they already have their QB of the future -- or if they have to go out and find one. Foles looked good last week vs. Dallas and the Eagles are looking for him to continue that forward progress. This is also an important game for the Eagles' young linemen, such as Dennis Kelly and Dallas Reynolds, as they try to establish themselves for 2013 and beyond.
Key matchup: Eagles MLB DeMeco Ryans vs. Bucs RB Doug Martin. The Bucs like to run the ball and they like to give it to Martin when they do. The rookie has already rushed for 1,106 yards and not only has he carried the ball for Tampa Bay, he's also carried the load. The Bucs have called 284 rushing plays this season and Martin has gotten the ball on 236 of them (83 percent). Also, Bucs running backs have rushed for 1,288 yards and Martin has 1,106 of those (86 percent). Ryans is the Eagles' best run defender and if he can control Martin, the safeties will be able to help out more in coverage against the Bucs' speedy WRs. But if Ryans can't handle the rookie runner, then the Eagles safeties will have to help out and that will leave them vulnerable to play-action passes -- and those are the ones that generate the biggest passing plays.
Injuries of note: QB Michael Vick (concussion) and RB LeSean McCoy (concussion) are out. … FS Kurt Coleman (bruised sternum) is out and Colt Anderson will start in his place. … DT Mike Patterson (viral pneumonia) is out. … DT Fletcher Cox (tailbone) missed practice early in the week, but he should be ready on Sunday.
Inside stuff: The Eagles' offense is usually pass-happy, but it's relied on the running game the last couple of weeks to protect rookie QB Nick Foles and they've had success. However, the Bucs are No. 1 in the NFL against the run -- both in total yards and yards per attempt -- so something has to give on Sunday. Eagles RB Bryce Brown has averaged 170 yards the last two weeks and the Tampa Bay defense will naturally focus on him. So look for the Eagles to try something different and have Foles throw the ball downfield. The Eagles feel he's comfortable and confident enough now to turn him loose and if they can run the ball early, look for some play-action passes for some big gains.
Stats you should know: Despite all their problems in defense, the Eagles are the only team in the NFL that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. That will be challenged today by the Bucs' Doug Martin, who is averaging just under 100 yards per game (92.2). … Eagles K Alex Henery has made 21 straight field goal attempts, the longest current streak in the NFL, and looks to extend his team record vs. the Bucs. … The Eagles had four interceptions in one game (the opener vs. Cleveland) and have just three in their other 11 games. … Rookie RB Bryce Brown has 347 rushing yards in his first two starts, the second highest consecutive game total in Eagles history. Hall-of-Famer Steve Van Buren ran for 379 in two games in 1949.
Looking ahead: The Eagles return home for a Thursday night game against Cincinnati, and the following week they have a rematch with Washington and QB Robert Griffin III, also at home. Then the Eagles hit the road to wrap up the season against the New York Giants, who accounted for one of the Eagles' three victories earlier in the year.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Eagles 24
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSEagles.
