Sept. 26 (UPI) — Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen routinely pushed around defenders, paving paths for running back D’Andre Swift and giving time to Jalen Hurts in a dominant 25-11 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Swift carried 16 times for 130 yards in the 25-11 triumph Monday in Tampa, Fla. The Eagles edged the Buccaneers 27-12 in first downs and 472-174 in total yards, including 201-41 on the ground.
“We were being physical against a physical group,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters. “We came away playing our game. We want to be tough and together. Part of toughness is being physical and that’s what I feel like really stood out this game.”
The Eagles, who never trailed, held an advantage of nearly 18 minutes in time of possession.
“We just try to execute the game plan, week in and week out,” Swift said. “The opportunties were there. The offensive line did a great job again. They make my job easy.”
Swifties will love this run.
: #PHIvsTB on ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/NkpBC1YFYJ pic.twitter.com/jLOLxddeU1— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
Kicker Jake Elliott gave the Eagles an initial lead with a 36-yard field goal with about three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin made a 33-yard field goal to tie the score midway through the second.
The Eagles answered with 22-unanswered points and used their dominant running game to limit Buccaneers possessions.
They started their run with an 8-play, 84-yard drive. Hurts ended the possession with a 34-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus.
They then forced turnovers on the next two Buccaneers possessions. Elliott increased their lead to 10 points with a 38-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Eagles opened the second half with a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive, widening the gap. Hurts ended that drive with a 1-yard rushing score.
Buccaneers cornerback Dee Delaney intercepted Hurts at the 1-yard line with about four minutes remaining in the third. The Eagles defense smothered Buccaneers running back Rachaad White in the end zone on the next play, resulting in a safety.
The Eagles added another Elliott field goal about 2:30 into the fourth quarter for a 22-point lead.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield ended the Buccaneers’ points drought with a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Evans with 9:22 remaining. He then threw to wide receiver Chris Godwin to complete a two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 14 points.
The Eagles ran out the remaining time on the clock with a 15-play drive.
Hurts completed 23 of 37 passes for 277 yards, one score and an interception. He carried 10 times for 28 yards and a score.
Brown caught nine passes for a game-high 131 yards in the win. Eagles first-round pick Jalen Carter logged two combined tackles, including a half-sack, and forced two fumbles.
Mayfield completed 15 of 25 passes for 146 yards, one score and an interception.
“We started too slow,” Mayfield said. “That’s a good football team. Any time you give them more opportunities to have the football in their hands, they are going to capitalize. We just have to be better on offense as a whole.”
The Eagles (3-0) will host the Washington Commanders (2-1) at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday in Philadelphia. The Buccaneers (2-1) will battle the New Orleans Saints (2-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday in New Orleans.
