Coming off an embarrassing reality-check loss to the previously winless Broncos on their home field last week, the Bucs knew they needed to have a response on Sunday as they hosted the Eagles in a Wild Card rematch at Raymond James Stadium.

And what a response it was, as Tampa Bay jumped all over Philadelphia much like it did in January’s playoff game, getting out to a 24-0 first-half lead before the visitors even crossed over into positive yardage. The Eagles eventually woke up, but the Bucs held them off on their way to a resounding 33-16 victory.

With the win, Todd Bowles and Co. improved to 3-1 on the year ahead of a massive NFC South showdown against the Falcons in Atlanta on Thursday night. The loss dropped Nick Sirianni’s squad to 2-2.

Here is a recap of all the action from Sunday’s impressive victory:

Bucs 33, Eagles 16

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs began the opening drive from their 22-yard line and quickly got Mike Evans involved after a quiet week last week. After Baker Mayfield found Evans for seven yards, Rachaad White ripped off a 17-yard run. Then, after a third-down conversion in Eagles territory, a tip-drill catch by White went for another 22 yards to set up 1st & Goal from the 8. And yes, two plays later, the Bucs scored their first opening-drive touchdown since Week 18 of the 2022 season. Mayfield connected with Evans for a 2-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 79-yard drive that took 5:16 off the clock.

With that touchdown, Evans became the Bucs’ all-time leading scorer, breaking a Martin Gramatica record that stood for 20 years.

The Tampa Bay defense kept the good start going, quickly forcing a Philadelphia three-and-out to get the ball back to Mayfield and the offense. And from there, Mayfield stayed hot. He connected with Cade Otton for 16 yards, Chris Godwin for another 28 and Evans for 17 more. A couple plays later, he fired an absolute missile to Trey Palmer for a 15-yard touchdown. Just like that, the Bucs were up 14-0 and Mayfield was 12-of-13 for 138 yards and two touchdowns through two drives.

Bucs DT Vita Vea and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

A third-down sack by a returning Vita Vea forced another three-and-out on the Eagles’ next possession kept the pressure on the visitors’ defense as the first quarter wound down.

And it didn’t help Philadelphia that even when its defense did get a stop on the ensuing Bucs possession, Isaiah Rodgers blocked Josh Hayes into Cooper DeJean on Trenton Gill’s punt, causing a fumble. J.J. Russell recovered it for Tampa Bay, setting the offense up at the Eagles’ 22.

After the turnover, Bucky Irving picked up 15 yards to set up 1st & Goal and shortly after, the first quarter came to an end with the home team up 14-0 and threatening to extend that lead inside the 5.

Philadelphia got the Bucs to 4th & Goal from the 1 and rather than kick the field goal to go up 17-0, Todd Bowles elected to keep his offense on the field. That paid off, as Mayfield scored on a keeper from one yard out to extend the lead to 21-0.

And the Tampa Bay defense didn’t let up, forcing yet another three-and-out to keep Jalen Hurts and the Eagles to zero net yards on the day through nine plays over three drives.

Mayfield and the Buccaneer offense once again went back to work on the Eagles defense, putting together a 12-play, 76-yard drive that ate up six and a half minutes. It should’ve ended in another touchdown, but a third-down drop in the end zone by rookie Kameron Johnson forced the Bucs to settle for a McLaughlin field goal. Nonetheless, Tampa Bay went up 24-0 with 7:18 to go in the first half.

Hurts and the Eagles offense finally put something together on their next drive, with a steady dose of Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert getting them down near the Tampa Bay goal line. The Buccaneer defense nearly stood strong, but a Hurts touchdown pass to Parris Campbell on 4th & Goal from the 1 got the visitors within 24-7 after a 14-play, 70-yard drive that took 5:21.

The two sides traded punts to end the first half, but the Eagles kept the momentum going to open the third quarter as Barkley ran for 59 yards on the first play to set up an eventual 1-yard touchdown run by Hurts. With 14 straight points by Philadelphia, Tampa Bay’s lead was suddenly down to 10.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Just when Mayfield needed to lead the Bucs offense on another scoring drive, he did exactly that. With two key third-down conversions and a 21-yard pass to Evans, Mayfield set up 1st & Goal. Three plays later, Bucky Irving scored his first career touchdown to extend the Tampa Bay lead. However, the ensuing extra point try was blocked and returned for two points, making it a 30-16 game, which kept the visitors within two scores.

Things looked dangerous from there for the Bucs, as the Eagles went right back to work and drove down into scoring range. But Lavonte David, as he’s done so many times, came through to save the day. After missing a sack of Hurts, he came back around to knock the ball loose for a strip-sack. Ben Stille recovered the fumble, giving the ball back over to Tampa Bay’s offense late in the third quarter.

The Bucs did what they needed to do from there, holding the ball into the fourth quarter before adding to their lead. McLaughlin nailed a 52-yard field goal at the 12:59 mark in the fourth, extending the advantage to 33-16.

The Buccaneer defense kept the good times rolling and sent the Eagles fans to the exits, as Lavonte David and Chris Braswell teamed up for a sack before Yaya Diaby chipped in with a sack-fumble of his own. The ball was recovered by Philadelphia, but the visitors had no choice but to punt on 4th & 39.

That was effectively the end of it, too, as the Bucs ran out the clock from there to seal their 17-point win.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David and Eagles TE Dallas Goedert – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield cooled off after his fast start to the afternoon, but he still finished 30-of-47 for 347 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 10 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Mike Evans was firmly back in the mix, catching eight of his 14 targets for 94 yards and a touchdown. Chris Godwin remained productive, catching six of his nine targets for 69 yards.

Bucky Irving continued to impress, too. The rookie ran for 49 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries (4.9 avg.). Rachaad White matched him, going for 49 yards on 10 carries (4.9 avg.) himself.

Tampa Bay’s defense woke back up after a mid-game lull to finish strong. Lavonte David led the way, racking up two sacks, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss. The defense finished with six sacks as a unit, with Vita Vea, Yaya Diaby, Logan Hall and Anthony Nelson all notching one to round out a nightmare of an afternoon for Jalen Hurts.

Overall, the Bucs outgained the Eagles 445-226 and held a stark advantage in time of possession at 36:17-23:43.

The Bucs (3-1) will now have a short week ahead of them as they prepare for a Thursday Night Football contest against the Falcons (2-2) in Atlanta. Kickoff for that primetime matchup is set for 8:15 p.m.

DEFENDED THE BAY pic.twitter.com/gWRs1U37bc

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 29, 2024