Week 14 Wrap-up: Eagles 23, Buccaneers 21

(Photo: Philadelphia Eagles)

Nick Foles, Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin and the rest of the Eagles ease their losing pains as they snap their 8 game skid defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the final score of 23-21. This is the Eagles first win in 70 days.

Both offenses controlled the ball equally in the first half. The game remained scoreless through the middle of the second quarter until a miraculous one handed catch by Jason Avant set up an Alex Henery field goal. Another timely Avant 3rd down conversion would go on to set up a 10 yard rushing touchdown for rookie quarterback, Nick Foles, the first rushing touchdown of his career. Foles finished 32/51, 381 yards and a rushing and passing touchdown. Jason Avant had a magnificent day with 7 receptions for 133 yards including several critical catches that cannot be told through the numbers.

Perhaps the biggest success in the first half for the Eagles was the play by their defense. The defense completely shut out the Buccaneers in the first half getting to Josh Freeman and containing running back, Doug Martin.

The Eagles injury woes have continued this week. Tight end, Brent Celek, left the game with a concussion. Cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha also left the game in the second quarter with a neck injury. Asomugha would however return to the game at the start of the second half.

Eagles’ placekicker, Alex Henery, had perhaps his worse game of his NFL career. After hitting 23 straight field goals since week 1, he missed two straight field goals today from 58 yards and 31 yards. He finished the day 2/3 in field goals.

The second half started as a nightmare for the Philadelphia Eagles. Damaris Johnson muffed a Buccaneers punt turning possession over to the Buccaneers on the Eagles 6 yard line. The turnover turned into a Josh Freeman touchdown pass to wide receiver, Mike Williams.

Late in the third quarter, the successes of the Eagles defense began to wear off. They allowed the Bucs to move down the field getting themselves back into the game. A Vinny Curry personal foul penalty set up a Vincent Jackson touchdown giving the Bucs their first lead of the game.

Even more defensive failures allowed Josh Freeman to get the Bucs down field to set up a 4 yard rushing touchdown for Doug Martin.

The offence then began their comeback effort. Jeremy Maclin got heavily involved in getting the Eagles down field setting up a 11 yard touchdown catch by tight end, Clay Harbor. The touchdown was followed by a missed two-point conversion attempt.

The Eagles got the ball back near the start of the two minute warning with no timeouts left. A spectacular final drive led by Nick Foles and with the help of Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin set up the game winning 1 yard touchdown pass from Foles to Maclin.

This Thursday, the Eagles look to keep the positive momentum as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 pm.

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Week 14 Wrap-up: Eagles 23, Buccaneers 21

Jovan Alford

Jovan Alford

Jovan Alford