Philadelphia (2-0) at Tampa Bay (2-0)
When: Monday, September 25th, 2023
Where: Raymond James Stadium,
Tampa, FL
Time: 7:15 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -6.5/45.5
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We have two Monday Night Football games once again this week and the first one features a pair of 2-0 teams in the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles opened up as a 6.5-point favorite before the sharps bet the game down to it’s current line of -5 with a total of 45. The Buccaneers win total this year was around 6.5, but they have surprised some by winning their first two games behind Baker Mayfield.
Tampa Bay opened the season with an upset win at Minnesota, then beat the hapless Chicago Bears last week 27-17. This will be the Bucs only Monday night appearance of the year and will honor safety Ronde Barber after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. Barber returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown against the Eagles in the 2002 NFC Championship Game.
The Eagles are off to a predictable 2-0 start, but really haven’t clicked on offense yet. Philly edged New England on the road 25-20 in Week 1, then played on short-rest and took care of the Minnesota Vikings 34-28 last Thursday night. These teams last played in the 2022 wild card game in which Tom Brady and the Bucs won 31-15. The Bucs are 3-1 ATS in the last three meetings.
In the win over Minnesota in Week 2, the Eagles played without four starters in linebacker Nakobe Dean (landed on IR), cornerback James Bradberry, safety Reed Blankenship and running back Kenneth Gainwell. D’Andre Swift became the clear No. 1 back with a career-high 175 yards rushing against the Vikings with a touchdown.
Hurts failed to throw for 200 yards for a second game in a row but rushed for two scores. Entering Week 3, the Eagles ranked 27th in passing offense and wideout A.J. Brown has been held to 108 yards on 11 catches. The defense ranks No. 1 against the run, but 31st against the pass.
Philadelphia Eagles Injury Report [Week 3]
| Player | Pos. | Status/Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Terrell Edmunds | S | Prob Mon - Illness - 9/23/23 |
| Fletcher Cox | DT | Prob Mon - Ribs - 9/22/23 |
| Zach Cunningham | LB | Prob Mon - Ribs - 9/23/23 |
| DeVonta Smith | WR | Prob Mon - Hamstring - 9/23/23 |
| Jack Stoll | TE | Prob Mon - Ankle - 9/23/23 |
| James Bradberry | CB | Prob Mon - Concussion - 9/22/23 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | RB | Prob Mon - Ribs - 9/22/23 |
| Reed Blankenship | S | Prob Mon - Ribs - 9/22/23 |
| Jordan Davis | DT | Ques Mon - Ankle - 9/22/23 |
| Josh Sweat | DE | Ques Mon - Toe - 9/21/23 |
| Boston Scott | RB | Out Mon - Concussion - 9/23/23 |
| Quez Watkins | WR | Out Mon - Hamstring - 9/23/23 |
| Avonte Maddox | CB | Out indefinitely - Pectoral - 9/20/23 |
| Nakobe Dean | LB | Out indefinitely - Foot - 9/12/23 |
| Isaiah Rodgers Sr. | DB | out for season - Suspension - 8/28/23 |
| Roderick Johnson | T | I-R - Undisclosed - 8/26/23 |
| Shaun Bradley | LB | I-R - Achilles - 8/14/23 |
Surprisingly, Mayfield has the No. 5 rating in the NFL at 104.4, but this will be his toughest competition to date come Monday. Wide receiver Mike Evans ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with 237 and is tied for second with two touchdowns. On plays that Evans was targeted last week, Mayfield had a 156.3 passer rating. Mayfield completed 26 of 34 passes for 317 yards and a score in last Sunday’s victory.
Led by linebacker Shaq Barrett, the Bucs are among the NFL leaders with eight sacks. Week 3 has been an issue for the Bucs over the last 10 years, going 1-9 ATS. Tampa will visit New Orleans next week before heading into their bye.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report [Week 3]
| Player | Pos. | Status/Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Cody Mauch | G | Prob Mon - Back - 9/23/23 |
| Ryan Neal | S | Prob Mon - Ribs - 9/22/23 |
| Devin White | LB | Ques Mon - Groin - 9/22/23 |
| Vita Vea | DL | Ques Mon - Pectoral - 9/21/23 |
| Carlton Davis III | CB | Ques Mon - Toe - 9/20/23 |
| Ke'Shawn Vaughn | RB | Ques Mon - Personal - 9/20/23 |
| SirVocea Dennis | LB | Out Mon - Hamstring - 9/23/23 |
| Calijah Kancey | DL | Out Mon - Calf - 9/23/23 |
| Chase Edmonds | RB | Early Nov - Knee - 9/20/23 |
| Ryan Jensen | C | I-R - Knee - 8/29/23 |
| Russell Gage | WR | I-R - Knee - 8/20/23 |
The Bucs have been fortunate in their two wins against a pair of winless teams. Mayfield is going to struggle tonight against this Philly defense. The Eagles’ offense hasn’t been great yet, but that will come very soon and Swift could have a big impact on this game. I can see the Eagles winning this game going away.
Pick: Eagles -5
