TAMPA – Before the game, it seemed like everything was working in the Eagles’ favor.
The windy conditions would seem conducive to the Eagles’ running attack. Tampa Bay was without four of its top six offensive playmakers.
And then the game started, and the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, led by certain Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, dominated in every aspect as the Eagles fell behind 17-0 at halftime of their wildcard playoff game.
Actually, when the Bucs first got that lead on a field goal with 9:16 left in the first half, the Eagles had been outgained 190-12.
The Eagles finally got moving on offense after that. But Jalen Hurts threw incomplete on 4th-and-10 from Tampa Bay’s 37 with 3:49 left. Then he threw an interception in the end zone on a pass intended for DeVonta Smith after the Eagles had gotten to the Bucs’ 21-yard line with a minute left in the half.
It was that kind of first half for the Eagles.
They led the NFL in rushing this season, averaging 159.7 yards per game. They had Miles Sanders back for the first time since he broke his hand on Dec. 26.
And yet, Sanders had 3 yards on 4 carries. Hurts had the other 32 yards on the ground.
Hurts was 11-for-19 passing for 89 yards and an interception.
That was no match for Brady, who starting his 46th career playoff game, went 20 of 25 for 159 yards.
It was so bad that when Hurts ran for 11 yards early in the second quarter, he came within one yard of the Eagles’ entire offensive output up until that point.
It wasn’t any better on defense.
The Eagles didn’t have defensive end Josh Sweat, who was trying to return after going to the hospital Tuesday for what the team called a “life-threatening situation.” Ryan Kerrigan took his place and recorded 2 sacks in the first half, his first two sacks of the season.
Other than that, the Bucs were in total control.
Reagor fumbles away punt
Jalen Reagor’s struggles continued. And that includes punt returns.
The Eagles had forced a punt from deep in Bucs’ territory early in the third quarter, trying to cut into the 17-0 deficit.
Reagor, however, dropped the punt near midfield and Tampa Bay recovered. The Bucs went on to score on Brady’s 2-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski.
Just like that, the Eagles’ chance to get back into the game was ruined.
Reagor wasn’t the only Eagle to make crucial mistakes. Center Jason Kelce, named to the All-Pro first team, was called for two holding penalties through 2 1/2 quarters. Dallas Goedert dropped a pass late in the first half that would’ve gone for 25-30 yards deep into Bucs territory. Instead, the Eagles later turned the ball over on downs.
Eagles fall behind early
The scenario couldn’t have been worse for the Eagles in their hopes to upset the Buccaneers.
They gave up a long Tampa Bay scoring drive on the opening possession, then went 3-and-out on their first possession.
Jalen Hurts had 7 yards passing, and the Eagles had 10 yards rushing at the end of the first quarter.
There was also a poor punt by Arryn Siposs, his third under 30 yards in two games. And another methodical Tampa Bay scoring drive that put the Eagles behind 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Bucs had 137 yards of total offense, the Eagles’ 17.
Eagles’ sack leader out with illness
The Eagles announced Sunday before the game that defensive end Josh Sweat, tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks, isn’t playing after having “a life-threatening situation” on Tuesday.
He was admitted to the hospital that night for what the team called “an emergency procedure.”
On Friday, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Sweat had some “abdominal pain” earlier in the week, but was feeling better, and was listed as questionable for the game.
“In the following days, Josh and our medical team did everything possible to help him return to play,” an Eagles spokesman said. “It was determined by the doctors today that he was not quite ready.”
Sweat had 4 sacks in the previous three games in which he played. He was named as a Pro Bowl alternate last month.
Sweat was tied with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for the team lead in sacks. No one else had more than 3.5. Among the defensive ends, Derek Barnett has the next most sacks, with only 2.
Eagles going with 6th starter at RG
In addition, starting right guard Nate Herbig was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Sua Opeta is expected to start in his place. Opeta would be the sixth different player to start at right guard this season, behind Brandon Brooks, Landon Dickerson, Herbig, Jack Driscoll and Jack Anderson for the meaningless season finale against Dallas.
The other inactives are QB Reid Sinnett, DB Andre Chachere, RB Jason Huntley, DB Kary Vincent and DB Tay Gowan.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
