NFL Week 3: Game of the Week Buccaneers vs Eagles

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TAMPA BAY- Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles. Although the Eagles’ defense features more rookies and fewer veterans such as C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Javon Hargrave, this unit remains one of the most feared in the NFL. Mayfield is on his way to potentially turning around his career in Tampa Bay, his third NFL team. He struggled for the most part on the Cleveland Browns and during his one season last year with division rival, Carolina Panthers. Although this could very well be his last chance to get his career on track, he has his best opportunity to do so. Although he may not have an excellent offensive line, he has two of the best receivers in the game to throw to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

If this is going to be the start of Mayfield’s rise, this game against such an amazing defense, on primetime, in front of the national audience, this game will be the one that fans can look at and say this was the moment everything changed. Although the Eagles’ defense currently ranks as the number 16 defense in the NFL through two weeks, it is a young and developing unit.

If Mayfield plays like a top performer, then even the most ardent of critics will have to point to this game and say “Baker Mayfield is on his way to doing exactly what he needs to do and he is playing like the quarterback that a number one overall pick should expect to play”.

Like it or not, Mayfield’s performance is going to be the biggest storyline in this game, no questions asked. Some fans including those in Cleveland who essentially gave up on Mayfield, will have something to point to in order to either validate their criticisms or make them question why they changed their opinions.

This game is a make-or-break. Mayfield’s arm strength is undeniable. His accuracy was always the question, from the very beginning. If he is suddenly the accurate, gunslinger he should be, then Tampa Bay could return to another Super Bowl soon, perhaps this year. Mayfield through two games this season against Minnesota and Chicago, has a total Quarterback rating of 104.4.

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are 2-0 despite not having a lot of success on offense. Hurts has just 363 passing yards this season.

Which of these undefeated teams will retain a perfect record through three weeks?

Prediction:

Eagles 24 Buccaneers 21

Other top games:

Green Bay Packers (1-1) vs New Orleans Saints (2-0)

Washington Commanders (2-0) vs Buffalo Bills (1-1)

Detroit Lions (1-1) vs Atlanta Falcons (2-0)