Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previews the upcoming Bucs game with six quick-hitting topics. What’s at stake for the Bucs and their opponent, what will lead to a Tampa Bay victory or loss, and a couple of key matchups to watch each week.

The Bucs are 3-0 for the first time since 2005 after a hard-fought, 29-27 come-from-behind victory over the Jets. Tampa Bay takes on a 3-0 Philadelphia team that came back to beat the Los Angeles Rams thanks to two blocked field goals, including one on the last play of the game. Sunday’s game is a rematch of a Week 4 contest last year in which the Bucs prevailed, 33-16, over the Eagles.

What’s At Stake For The Bucs

For the 3-0 Buccaneers, Week 4 against the undefeated Eagles isn’t just another game on the schedule – it’s a statement opportunity. This game is for early supremacy in the NFC. Beating Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champion, would validate Tampa Bay’s hot start and solidify the Bucs as legitimate NFC contenders rather than an early-season surprise.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

This matchup will be a litmus test for Baker Mayfield and a banged up offense that will be without three starters in wide receivers Mike Evans, right guard Cody Mauch and right tackle Luke Goedeke and could be without starting wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr., too. The Bucs could get Tristan Wirfs back at left tackle, and that will help against the ferocious Eagles’ front seven.

For Todd Bowles’ defense it’s another game agains Jalen Hurts’ dual-threat ability and last year’s top running back Saquon Barkley. A win would give the Bucs a critical head-to-head tiebreaker in playoff seeding down the road, while also boosting confidence in a locker room that believes it can contend with the conference’s best. Lose, and Tampa Bay risks being seen as a good team not yet ready to climb into the NFC’s elite tier. With both teams 3-0, the stakes are high, and the Bucs have a chance to prove they truly belong in the spotlight.

What’s At Stake For The Eagles

For the 3-0 Eagles, Week 4 against the undefeated Buccaneers is about reinforcing their place atop the NFC hierarchy. Philadelphia entered 2025 as one of the league’s most talented rosters and are Super Bowl favorites once again, but a matchup against a surprising Tampa Bay squad – albeit banged up – offers an early-season gut check.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David and Eagles TE Dallas Goedert – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

This game is also about revenge, as Tampa Bay has beaten Philly four out of the last five meetings since 2021, including the last two at Raymond James Stadium in blowout fashion. A win over the Bucs would validate the Eagles’ status as the conference’s gold standard and keep them firmly in control of the NFC playoff picture.

More importantly, it would show that Jalen Hurts and this team can still handle the pressure when facing another unbeaten opponent on the road. But if the Eagles stumble, questions will swirl about their ability to consistently dominate, while also giving Tampa Bay legitimacy as a true challenger in the NFC. The stakes are clear: Philadelphia must defend its reputation as the team to beat and avoid opening the door for a rising Buccaneers squad while exacting some revenge in the state of Florida where the Eagles wilted in the heat and humidity last year in Week 4 in a 33-16 loss.

The Bucs Win If…

For the Buccaneers to knock off the undefeated Eagles, the game plan starts with balance on offense. Baker Mayfield has to continue his efficient play while avoiding costly turnovers against a tough Philadelphia secondary. Mayfield will be without top target Mike Evans, who hurt his hamstring in last week’s win over the Jets, and will need rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka and Sterling Shepard to continue to play at a high level. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard will want to establish the ground game and get Bucky Irving and Rachaad White going to take some of the pressure off Mayfield.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: USA Today

On defense, Tampa Bay’s front seven has to contain Jalen Hurts, especially limiting his damage on designed runs and scrambles. Todd Bowles, the team’s head coach and defensive play-caller, has had Hurts’ number before and limited his effectiveness, especially in the last two meetings, including a 32-9 victory over the Eagles in the Wild Card game in 2023. The Bucs’ pass rush, led by Vita Vea and Yaya Diaby, must collapse the pocket and force Hurts into quick decisions.

Tampa Bay’s linebackers will be tested by tight end Dallas Goedert and the Eagles’ RPO attack as well as Saquon Barkley in the screen game, so discipline is key. If Todd Bowles’ defense can take away the big plays to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Bucs will have a real shot at 4-0. But only if the blocking improves on Tampa Bay’s special teams. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis had two critical blocked field goals in last week’s win, returning the second one for a touchdown on the last play of the game versus the Rams.

The Eagles Win If…

For the Eagles to stay unbeaten against the Buccaneers, it starts with controlling the line of scrimmage. All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson suffered a neck stinger last week and is questionable for Week 4, but hopes to play. Jalen Hurts needs to stay poised against Todd Bowles’ aggressive blitz packages and use the RPO game to keep Tampa Bay’s linebackers off balance. Picking on linebacker SirVocea Dennis in coverage has worked for other teams this year, and look for Philadelphia to try to match up Saquon Barkley on Dennis on the outside in the passing game.

Former Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead and Eagles RB Saquon Barkley – Photo by: USA Today

Hurts must also take his shots to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, testing a Bucs secondary that is healthier and has been better in coverage than it was a year ago. Brown hasn’t been available for the last two losses in Tampa Bay due to injuries, and he could be the difference-maker with his big play ability downfield.

Defensively, Philadelphia’s front four has to dominate. If defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, who is returning home where he played high school football at nearby Apopka, can collapse the pocket, they can disrupt Baker Mayfield’s rhythm and force mistakes. The Eagles need to take advantage of the right side of the offensive line which features backups in right tackle Charlie Heck and either Elijah Klein or Dan Feeney at right guard. If the Eagles win the trenches and stay disciplined, they can hand Tampa Bay its first loss.

Bucs’ Key Matchup On Offense

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka vs. Eagles Cornerbacks

The Bucs surprised many when the team picked Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with its first-round pick in April. At first glance, Egbuka’s arrival bolstered a wide receiver corps that was going to be without injured starter Chris Godwin Jr. at the beginning of the 2025 season. But now without Mike Evans for a few weeks due to a pulled hamstring, Egbuka will rise from the team’s No. 2 receiver to Baker Mayfield’s primary target in the passing game.

Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Egbuka has proven to be up to the task so far, as he’s Tampa Bay’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 181 yards (12.9 avg.) and a team-high three touchdowns. The rookie has played like a seasoned veteran so far, hauling in the game-winning catch against the Falcons in Week 1 and then a critical 28-yard reception on the Bucs’ final game-winning drive versus the Jets last week. Now Egbuka will have to navigate more double coverage than ever this week against the Eagles.

Egbuka will be lined up inside as a slot receiver as well as outside. He’ll likely face both nickelback Cooper DeJean and outside cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who is one of the up-and-coming star defensive backs across the league. Philadelphia’s secondary has gotten even better this year with the addition of second-round pick Andrew Mukuba, a playmaking safety out of Texas, who already has an interception this year. As good as Egbuka is, Mayfield can’t risk throwing into double coverage with Mukuba and fellow safety Reed Blankenship patrolling the secondary.

Bucs’ Key Matchup On Defense

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis vs. Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

It’s been a mixed bag for new Tampa Bay starting inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis this year. While he’s been solid in run support and is fourth on the team with 17 tackles, he’s been suspect in pass coverage, especially trying to cover running backs out of the backfield in the flat and on screen passes. After two rough games in that area to start the season, Dennis and the Bucs defense did a better job of limiting the production of running backs through the air last week against the Jets. Breece Hall had just 31 yards on four catches and Braeon Allen had 17 yards on two receptions.

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley Photo by: USA Today

Saquon Barkley presents a much different challenge because he’s the most talented running back Tampa Bay has faced yet. The 6-foot, 233-pound back with breakaway speed led the NFL with 2,005 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns last year while averaging 5.8 yards per carry and helping Philadelphia win the Super Bowl. He’s off to a slower start this year with 158 yards and two touchdowns this season with a 3.3-yard average.

Barkley has also not been the receiving threat he was a year ago when he hauled in 33 receptions for 278 yards (8.4 avg.) and two touchdowns in his first season with the Eagles. The Pro Bowler has just 10 catches for 39 yards (3.9 avg.) with no touchdowns so far in 2025. That could change versus Tampa Bay as it might be tough sledding to try to run the ball against Todd Bowles defense. Philly may want to get Barkley out in space in the flanks and try to attack Dennis and the Bucs through the air with greater regularity on Sunday.