Who saw this coming in late November?
The Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning NFC champions, were 10-1 and NFL pundits were beginning to talk about quarterback Jalen Hurts contending for MVP status.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 4-7. No one chirped about the Buccaneers earning a trip to the NFC Divisional Round.
Things certainly changed over the past six weeks.
Following a 32-9 victory Monday night in an NFL Wild Card matchup at Raymond James Stadium, the Bucs continued their unlikely postseason run and next play at the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Lions beat the host Bucs, 20-6, during a Week 6 encounter.
Twitter users responded Monday to the Buccaneers’ Wild Card rise and the Eagles’ plunge out of the playoffs.
Celebrating the Bucs’ 2023 NFC South Division title, the home fans were enlightened by the pre-game playoff experience …
let’s bake. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/oWGtllDVb5
— Gabriella Razzetti Zumbiel (@GabRazzetti) January 16, 2024
Concerned over Hurts’ finger injury, the slumping Eagles’ QB planned on wearing a glove for first time. After trying it during pre-game warm-ups, he discarded it. Bare-handed, Hurts went 25 of 35 for 250 yards and one TD pass, but he didn’t make many big plays …
Jalen Hurts just wearing the tape now on his fingers. No gloves pic.twitter.com/EFOCmNe9Ov
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 16, 2024
WR Mike Evans, left, and QB Baker Mayfield, the leaders of the Bucs’ surprising playoff run, stood ready for their Wild Card matchup …
Mike Evans 🤝 Baker Mayfield#PHIvsTB | @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/WsdJuZ7hWD
— ESPN (@espn) January 16, 2024
Easy entertainment choice, right? …
Who schedules the Emmys the same night as the @eagles #gobirds #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/qaRiD0ZFHx
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) January 16, 2024
Keeping the game-opening drive alive, running back Rachaad White broke a few tackles en route to gaining a first down. The extra effort led to placekicker Chase McLaughlin connecting on a 28-yard field goal at 10:02 of the first quarter …
Took the entire team to take him down! 🥴 #NFL #PHIvsTB #WildCardWeekend pic.twitter.com/tSRWuDeH91
— SaharaBets (@SaharaBets) January 16, 2024
The Bucs’ offense entered the postseason in rut, not scoring in seven of their final eight regular-season quarters. Mayfield needed a good start in front of the home crowd. He got it by connecting with David Moore, on his 29th birthday, for a 33-yard TD reception, benefiting from poor tackling by the Eagles’ defensive backs …
Too smooth! David Moore takes it in for a 44-yard TD 🙌
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rFlj59UzNi pic.twitter.com/K04XZqqPvb— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
In the first quarter, the Eagles, who lost five of their final six regular-season games, didn’t appear interested in competing with the Bucs, who clinched the NFC South title with an ugly 9-0, Week 18 win over the 2-15 Carolina Panthers. Over the opening 15 minutes, Bucs receivers compiled 90 yards after the catch …
Tampa Bay Buccaneers stomping Philly? 👀 pic.twitter.com/RzLz3ZH0PU
— The Kevin Harlan Effect (@KevHarlanEffect) January 16, 2024
During the opening 15 minutes, the Bucs scored on their opening three possessions, outgaining the Eagles, 178-26 …
Eagles are down 10 to the Bucs in the 1st 👀
They were in the Super Bowl just last year.. pic.twitter.com/goeIq6K4Oo
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 16, 2024
The Eagles, who started the season 10-1, had problems executing fundamental tackles recently. CB James Bradberry was benched by the second quarter and the team’s lackadaisical tackling trend continued Monday and it was recognized internationally …
@ Eagles pic.twitter.com/6MR7qHxO82
— Press Cover (@Press_Cover) January 16, 2024
The Eagles showed a bit of spark in the second quarter. Capping a seven-play, 45-yard play, Eagles placekicker Jake Elliott hit a 47-yard field goal to cut the Bucs’ lead to 13-3. In the postseason, Elliott hit his first 16 postseason attempts. Near the end of the first half, the Eagles showed some life with a TD drive …
There they are #FlyEaglesFly
— BoKnows' (@_BoJacob) January 16, 2024
The Eagles were successful on 18 of their previous 19 “tush-pushes,” but the Bucs stopped Hurts on this 2-point conversion …
Buccaneers stop the tush push 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/3AMPN6e3zE
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) January 16, 2024
The Buccaneers, who crossed midfield on each of their opening seven possessions, went up two scores late in the third quarter, thanks to Bradberry missing another tackle. Taking advantage of the soft defense, Trey Palmer scored on a 56-yard pass from Mayfield …
BUCS GO UP 25-9 ON PHILLY 🔥
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/Ym6JU1vEtB— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2024
Final score: Buccaneers 32, Eagles 9 …
I honestly would never have guessed that the Bucs would win over the Eagles but here we are 🙃🫡 pic.twitter.com/5TOhxf911G
— Just Cece 🏈 (@JustCeceSports) January 16, 2024
Looks like that’s a wrap for all-time great Jason Kelce …
Devin White: “Is that it”
Jason Kelce: “I’m afraid so”
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/4UZDaLhZ4L
— CBain (@cbain100) January 16, 2024
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