In Week 3, the Philadelphia Eagles took their undefeated record on the road and delivered a commanding performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the only other unbeaten team in the matchup.
Philadelphia's defense played a pivotal role in their 25-11 victory on Monday night, effectively stifling the Buccaneers. Additionally, the Eagles showcased their offensive prowess, with running back D'Andre Swift achieving his second consecutive 100+ yard rushing game.
What makes this win even more impressive is that quarterback Jalen Hurts was not at his best due to flu-like symptoms just before the game, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Despite a mixed performance by Hurts, which included both rushing and passing for touchdowns along with two interceptions, he managed to complete 23 of 37 passes for 277 yards.
The Eagles' defense contributed significantly by creating two turnovers, while their running game amassed an impressive 201 yards against the Buccaneers' fourth-ranked run defense, which had been allowing only 54 yards per game. Wide receiver A.J. Brown also had a standout performance, recording 131 yards and nine receptions.
While the Eagles haven't reached their peak performance yet, they find themselves in a favorable position as one of the remaining three undefeated teams in the league.
One encouraging trend is the Eagles' strong rushing game, ranking second in the NFL with an average of 178 yards per game. This trend continued with Swift's exceptional performance, establishing him as Philadelphia's lead running back.
Key plays came from rookies Jalen Carter and Sydney Brown on the defensive side, with Brown preventing a potential Mike Evans touchdown and Carter forcing a fumble. Carter's early success suggests he could be a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year, reflecting a promising start for this year's draft class.
An eye-catching statistic is that Jalen Hurts now holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a quarterback's first 50 career games, surpassing Cam Newton with 29 touchdowns in his 48th game.
The Buccaneers had a significant opportunity to hand the defending Super Bowl champions their first loss and prove their legitimacy, but they struggled throughout the game. While their defense made key plays, the offense faltered, leading to missed opportunities and turnovers.
For instance, backup cornerback Dee Delaney intercepted Jalen Hurts but was immediately followed by a safety due to a fumble by Rachaad White. The Bucs' offensive struggles were evident in their total yardage, as they were outgained 472 to 174.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and his receivers faced challenges, including dropped passes and interceptions. However, they managed to find their rhythm in the fourth quarter, with Evans scoring his third touchdown in as many games.
A concerning aspect for the Buccaneers is their underperforming rushing game, which continues to struggle with only 41 yards on 17 carries, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry.
On the positive side, the Buccaneers' defense stepped up, despite injuries to key players, limiting the Eagles' red zone success to just one touchdown in five trips.