Eagles Defeat Buccaneers, 31-25: 10 Takeaways From Philadelphia’s Stressful Win

The Philadelphia Eagles got off to a scorching hot start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. Philadelphia held a 24-6 lead at halftime in Tampa Bay, yet it all suddenly disappeared in the blink of an eye.

In the exact opposite of what happened in Week 3, Philadelphia’s offense went missing in the second half. It seemed like the Eagles were going to hand the game to the Buccaneers, but they made just enough plays to escape with a 31-25 win to improve to 4-0.

Here are my 10 takeaways from Philadelphia’s stressful victory in Week 4.

Kevin Patullo Showed Flashes of Potential

After a slow start in Week 3, Philadelphia’s offense was on fire during the first half in Tampa Bay. Jalen Hurts looked decisive and carved up Todd Bowles’ defense as the Eagles scored on three of their first four offensive possessions.

After many were calling for Kevin Patullo’s job, it was clear that he had a good game plan in place against the Buccaneers. The Eagles utilized several new looks, including shovel passes to Dallas Goedert and John Metchie III in the backfield.

Yet after showing flashes during the first half, Patullo’s offense looked like more of the same in the second half. The Eagles went back to using heavy personnel with condensed formations and slowed to a crawl. Patullo showed promising flashes in Week 4 but needs to put a complete game together.

What’s Wrong With the Running Game?

Hurts, Patullo and the passing offense are the main topic of conversation in Philadelphia. Especially with A.J. Brown publicly voicing his displeasure on social media. Yet Philadelphia’s ineffective running game is a bigger problem.

After averaging 5.8 yards per carry last season, Saquon Barkley is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry in 2025. Philadelphia’s interior offensive line is struggling to generate any push in the trenches as the running game has stalled.

While Jordan Mailata continues to say that the running game is just “one block away,” what if that block never happens? The Eagles need to be more efficient on the ground in early downs.

There are many Eagles’ fans that are upset with Patullo’s play-calling in the running game, as he continues to call inside runs. Yet those fans should be just as upset with Jeff Stoutland and the struggles of the interior offensive line.

Offensive Line Continues To Struggle

Not only is Philadelphia’s offensive line struggling on the ground, they are also having issues in pass protection. Landon Dickerson has become a liability this season, as he continues to try and play through multiple injuries.

Dickerson has already allowed 13 total pressures and three sacks through Philadelphia’s first four games, according to Pro Football Focus. To put Dickerson’s struggles in perspective, he has never allowed more than five sacks in a single season.

To make matters worse, Tyler Steen hasn’t played much better at right guard either. Steen suffered an injury in Week 4 and attempted to play through it, yet he allowed four total pressures against the Buccaneers.

It also doesn’t help that Lane Johnson has been forced to leave back-to-back games due to injury. In recent years, Eagles’ fans have been spoiled by Philadelphia’s dominant offensive line. Yet Stoutland’s unit has surprisingly struggled to start the regular season in 2025.

Did Jalen Hurts Suffer a Concussion?

Hurts played like a legitimate MVP candidate in the first half against the Buccaneers. He completed 15-of-16 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Then he looked like a completely different player in the second half, so what happened?

On Philadelphia’s third possession of the second half, Hurts took a shot from Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith while sliding. While the referees eventually picked up the flag, Hurts’ head bounced off the field and he was slow to get up.

Somehow, someway Hurts remained in the game and didn’t look like himself the rest of the way. Now I’m not going to say that Hurts definitely suffered a concussion but it was certainly a notable hit.

Hurts failed to complete a single pass in the second half as Philadelphia’s offense fell off a cliff. He was consistently off target with his throws and simply didn’t look like the same player that we saw in the first half of Week 4.

A.J. Brown Is Rightfully Upset

Despite being targeted nine times, Brown hauled in two receptions for seven yards against the Buccaneers. Labeling nine of those passes as targets is also a bit generous, as several of them weren’t catchable.

Brown was clearly frustrated on the field and he let his feelings be known on social media following the win. Brown shared a quote on X:

“If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”

While many Eagles’ fans are upset about Brown’s post, I actually don’t mind it. Brown is one of the best wide receivers in the world, he should be angry about his involvement thus far.

Brown doesn’t want to just be sitting in the third row of the minivan and along for the ride. He wants to be a major part of Philadelphia’s success and the Eagles are going to need to rely on him more if they want to win it all once again.

Quinyon Mitchell Could Be an All-Pro

Following a stellar performance during his rookie season in Philadelphia, Quinyon Mitchell just continues to get better and better. Mitchell has already established himself as a top five cornerback in the NFL and could be named an All-Pro this season.

Mitchell has allowed just 12 receptions on 27 targets for 87 yards in Philadelphia’s first four games, according to Pro Football Focus. He has allowed a passer rating of 52.5 when targeted.

After playing primarily right cornerback last season, Mitchell has played on both sides in 2025. Mitchell’s role continues to evolve in Vic Fangio’s defense, as he has followed several top wide receiver on the outside this season.

Kelee Ringo Earned Another Start at CB2

Heading into training camp, many people (including myself) expected Kelee Ringo to win the starting job at CB2. Yet Ringo failed to do so and ultimately plummeted down Philadelphia’s depth chart.

After Adoree’ Jackson and Jakorian Bennett both suffered injuries in Week 4, Ringo got the lucky break that he was waiting for. Ringo started at CB2 against the Buccaneers and I believe that he earned another opportunity with his play in Tampa Bay.

While Ringo missed several tackles, he was solid in coverage. Ringo allowed one reception on three targets for just eight yards, according to Pro Football Focus. It was a promising showing from the 23-year-old cornerback, which should be enough to earn him another start in Week 5.

Rookie Defenders Learning on the Job

Both Jihaad Campbell and Drew Mukuba have already shown flashes of potential through their first four games in the NFL. Campbell and Mukuba have taken turns making splash plays for Philadelphia’s championship caliber defense.

Yet both players made costly rookie mistakes against the Buccaneers. Mukuba completely botched his coverage responsibility on a 77-yard touchdown to Emeka Egbuka. While Campbell was beat deep on an off-script 72-yard touchdown to Bucky Irving.

Fangio certainly wasn’t happy with either play, yet those are the growing pains that you can expect from rookie starters. Despite those mistakes, Philadelphia’s coaching staff and front office are likely very excited about what they’ve seen from both players in 2025.

Where Is the Pass Rush?

Philadelphia’s pass rush has essentially been non-existent this season. Za’Darius Smith is the only edge rusher that has registered a sack for the Eagles. While Jalyx Hunt has recorded 11 total pressures, he has yet to get home.

Fangio has been forced to blitz at a significantly higher rate than he would normally like to. Zack Baun is on pace for 119 snaps as a pass rusher during the regular season in 2025. He had just 107 snaps as a pass rusher in all of last season.

While Baun has been effective as a pass rusher, Fangio would ideally like to use him more in coverage. If the Eagles can’t figure out how to generate a pass rush with just four players, Howie Roseman might have to make a trade.

Cameron Latu!

I felt like a proud parent watching Cameron Latu block a punt against the Buccaneers. I wrote about Latu’s play on special teams several times throughout the preseason, as he continued to standout when I watched the film of each game.

Fast forward to Week 4 and Latu has now played his way onto the 53-man roster in Philadelphia. While Latu’s blocked punt will deservingly get most of the attention, he also made multiple tackles in coverage on special teams against the Buccaneers.