Eagles-Buccaneers Game Preview: Who Will Win in Week 4?
The Philadelphia Eagles are off to a 3-0 start in 2025, yet their struggles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent years have been well documented. Since 2021, the Eagles are 1-4 against the Buccaneers.
Now the Eagles are flying down south to visit the Buccaneers on the road once again. After an embarrassing 33-16 loss in Tampa Bay last season, Philadelphia is looking for revenge this time around.
Similar to the Eagles, the Buccaneers are also 3-0 to start the regular season. Tampa Bay has pulled off last minute comebacks in each of their three wins thus far.
Here’s my full game preview for the highly anticipated rematch between the Eagles and Buccaneers in Week 4.
Three Storylines To Follow
Can Jalen Hurts Break the Curse in Tampa Bay?
Since Jalen Hurts was named Philadelphia’s full-time starting quarterback in 2021, the Eagles have made two trips to the Super Bowl and won it all once. Yet Hurts has struggled mightily against the Buccaneers and defensive mastermind Todd Bowles.
As previously mentioned, the Hurts-led Eagles are 1-4 against the Buccaneers. Bowles uses a ton of unique blitzes that have given Hurts a lot of trouble in previous years. Yet Hurts is primed to reverse the curse in Tampa Bay.
Hurts’ only win against the Buccaneers came with A.J. Brown on the field. Brown hauled in nine receptions for 131 yards as the Eagles defeated the Buccaneers by a final score of 25-11 in Tampa Bay.
In Week 4, Hurts and the Eagles will finally be working with a “full deck” against the Buccaneers once again. After missing three key starters in 2024, Hurts should be able to have a much better performance on Sunday.
Who Will Fill the Void Created by Nolan Smith Jr.’s Injury?
Eagles starting edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. entered the year with a brace on his arm after injuring his triceps in Super Bowl LIX. While Smith was able to play in Philadelphia’s first three games, he reportedly tweaked the injury and was placed on injured reserve this week.
Now the Eagles will be tasked with filling a void along the defensive front with Smith out for at least the next four games. While Jalyx Hunt has shown flashes opposite of Smith, it’ll be interesting to see how Philadelphia fills the void created by Smith’s injury.
Za’Darius Smith and Joshua Uche will surely see their roles increased on the edge. My guess is that Smith will start given his size, strength and experience on the edge. Yet the Eagles could be calling upon two new faces behind Hunt, Smith and Uche.
Azeez Ojulari and Ogbo Okoronkwo were healthy inactives during Philadelphia’s 3-0 start to the regular season. Yet now the Eagles will likely call on them to contribute on the edge during Smith’s absence. We’ll see if they can earn more snaps in Philadelphia.
Will Kelee Ringo Make the Most of His Second Chance at CB2?
Entering training camp, many expected third-year cornerback Kelee Ringo to win the CB2 job in Philadelphia. Yet the 23-year-old failed to separate himself from veteran Adoree’ Jackson, who ultimately won the starting job.
Now both Jackson and Jakorian Bennett will likely be out in Week 4, which will open the door for Ringo once again. Considering that both Jackson and Bennett have failed to impress, Ringo could potentially secure the starting job with a strong performance.
The Buccaneers will be without star wide receiver Mike Evans, yet Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. are also two great players. If Ringo plays well against the Buccaneers, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could have a difficult decision to make at CB2.
Two Underrated Players To Watch For
Will Shipley
It’s no secret that Philadelphia’s rushing offense has underwhelmed through the first three weeks of the regular season. Saquon Barkley is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, while the Eagles have struggled to generate the explosive running plays that we became used to seeing in 2024.
Yet Will Shipley showed flashes in Week 1, as he had three carries for 26 yards. Shipley has since missed back-to-back games due to an oblique injury. Now the second-year running back is expected to make his return in Week 4.
Shipley should bring an explosive element at running back when Barkley needs a break. He could also help at kick returner, as the Eagles struggled to properly field kickoffs last week.
Jacob Parrish
The Buccaneers have generated the most unblocked pressures in the NFL this season, according to Pro Football Focus. One of the keys to doing so has been the play of rookie slot cornerback Jacob Parrish.
Parrish has generated five pressures in just nine snaps as a pass rusher, according to PFF. He has brought a unique skillset to Tampa Bay’s defense that Bowles is clearly taking advantage of.
The Eagles have struggled against the blitz in 2025 and things won’t get any easier in Week 4. Philadelphia hosted Parrish on a top-30 visit ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, so they’re familiar with his game. Now we’ll see if the Eagles will be able to stop him on Sunday.
One Key Matchup To Monitor
Quinyon Mitchell vs. Emeka Egbuka
After primarily playing right cornerback during his rookie season, Quinyon Mitchell has played both sides for the Eagles in 2025. Which could prove to be important against the Buccaneers.
Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is off to a scorching hot start, as he has 14 receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns in just three games. Mitchell could be called upon to shadow Egbuka on the outside in Week 4.
It’s also worth noting that Egbuka has lined up in the slot on 43.1% of his snaps thus far. Yet the return of Chris Godwin Jr., who has primarily played slot wide receiver, could force Egbuka to play more on the outside and be defended by Mitchell in Week 4.
Underdog Pick’em Plays for Eagles-Buccaneers
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Final Score Predictions
Josh’s Pick: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 17
I understand the fear of playing a Todd Bowles led Bucs team in Tampa Bay early in the season. However, unlike other meetings it’s the Eagles who enter as the healthier team this time. Call me crazy but I’m not buying Tampa’s 3-0 record and see Philly asserting their dominance early in route to taking the No. 1 spot in the NFC.
Anthony’s Pick: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 20
While the Eagles and Buccaneers are both 3-0, that’s where the comparisons should stop. Tampa Bay has needed a last-minute score in each of their three wins against teams with a combined record of 1-8. Philadelphia is the healthier team and should be able to cover the spread as road favorites in Week 4.