technical details
  1. is_video => true
  2. alias => "philadelphia\/\/eagles\/5-matchups-watch-eagles-travel-south-face-buccaneers-week-2"
  3. nid => "662506"
  4. title => "5 matchups to watch as Eagles travel south to face Buccaneers"
  5. is_chrome_page => false
  6. article_body => "<p>The Eagles got off to a winning start in Week 1, escaping from the opener with an 18-12 victory over the Falcons.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A few days later, the Bucs won a 48-40 shootout over Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This game in Tampa Bay will be one of just two matchups between 1-0 teams in the NFC this weekend. The other is Packers-Vikings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Here are five matchups to watch:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mike Evans vs. Ronald Darby&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It remains to be seen whether DeSean Jackson (concussion) will play. A matchup between Jackson and Darby would be fun to watch. But this one is even more interesting. Darby had a really good game in the opener and I\u2019m interested to see how he performs this season with a full offseason in this defense.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Evans, meanwhile, is the model of consistency in the NFL. He\u2019s been in the league for four seasons and has at least 1,000 yards in each of them. He\u2019s one of just three players in NFL history \u2014 A.J. Green and Randy Moss are the others \u2014 to do that. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, he\u2019s a much different receiver than the speedy Jackson. He\u2019s more of a big catch-radius type of guy, but also has speed. He caught seven passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. The Bucs have several weapons to watch, but Evans tops the list.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nick Foles vs. banged-up corners<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brees didn\u2019t waste any time targeting rookie Carlton Davis when he entered last week\u2019s game. Expect Foles to have some real chances to get the ball down the field. Vernon Hargreaves is on IR and Brent Grimes is 35 and has a groin injury. Foles is going to have a chance to do some damage if he can get into a&nbsp;rhythm.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Brandon Brooks vs. Gerald McCoy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lining up next to former Eagle Beau Allen is perennial Pro Bowler McCoy. McCoy lines up most often at LDT, which means he\u2019ll be facing Brooks, who is a Pro Bowler too. This should be a fun matchup to watch.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Bucs\u2019 defense starts with McCoy. They have other good players, but he\u2019s sort of like their Fletcher Cox. Super talented, a game-wrecker and probably doesn\u2019t get enough credit. If Brooks can handle McCoy without too much help from Jason Kelce, it would be a huge win for the Eagles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bucs&nbsp;TEs vs. Malcolm Jenkins&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In addition to a talented trio of receivers, the Bucs also have two tight ends who play a lot in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard. Brate had 48 catches last season and Howard had 26 as a rookie. The Bucs had 20 plays with at least two tight ends on the field in Week 1.<\/p>\n<p>The good news for the Eagles is that they\u2019ve been pretty hard on tight ends recently. They gave up just three catches for 24 yards in the opener to Falcons TEs. And they gave up an average of 46 yards per game to tight ends last season. It really starts with Jenkins, who likes to play near the line of scrimmage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Eagles'&nbsp;DL&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Did you guys know Fitzpatrick went to Harvard? You\u2019re going to hear about that a lot this weekend.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Yes, Fitzpatrick is smart. It\u2019s how he\u2019s stayed in the league for 14 seasons. He\u2019s also coming off a game in which he accounted for five touchdowns and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. One of the most overlooked parts of Fitz\u2019s game is his ability to use his legs. He\u2019s not Mike Vick, but he will run at times. At the very least, he\u2019s really good at buying time in the pocket. If the Eagles get to him, they need to get him down.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><strong>More on the Eagles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/4-reasons-why-nick-foles-primed-big-week-2-tampa-bay-buccaneers\">4 reasons why Nick Foles is primed for a big Week 2<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/eric-allen-seth-joyner-donovan-mcnabb-among-2019-pro-football-hall-of-fame-nominees\">3 Eagles legends among 2019 Hall of Fame nominees<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/eagles-injury-update-desean-jackson-returns-tampa-bay-darren-sproles-misses-practice\">Eagles\u2019 old friend may be able to play Sunday after all<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/eagles-impressive-depth-cornerback-already-paying\">All of a sudden, Eagles are \u2018loaded\u2019 at cornerback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/the700level\/eagles-struggling-replace-mack-hollins\">Eagles struggling to replace surprise player<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
  7. author => "Dave Zangaro"
  8. mps => {"author":"Dave Zangaro","league":"","sport":"","sponsor":""}
  9. published => "1536930900"
  10. created => "1536854276"
  11. changed => "1537510537"
  12. status => "1"
  13. hero_image_credit => "USA Today Images "
  14. tags => [{"tid":"2876","name":"Malcolm Jenkins","url":"tags\/malcolm-jenkins"},{"tid":"5366","name":"Brandon Brooks","url":"tags\/brandon-brooks"},{"tid":"7476","name":"Nick Foles","url":"tags\/nick-foles"},{"tid":"17641","name":"Mike Evans","url":"tags\/mike-evans"},{"tid":"3556","name":"Ryan Fitzpatrick","url":"tags\/ryan-fitzpatrick"},{"tid":"21191","name":"ronald darby","url":"tags\/ronald-darby"},{"tid":"7891","name":"Tampa Bay Buccaneers","url":"tags\/tampa-bay-buccaneers"},{"tid":"2421","name":"Dave Zangaro","url":"tags\/dave-zangaro"},{"tid":"406","name":"Philadelphia Eagles","url":"tags\/philadelphia-eagles"}]
  15. section => "Eagles"
  16. team => "Philadelphia Eagles"
  17. image => {"uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/philadelphia\/2018\/09\/14\/091418lb1536939617129_7000k_1920x1080_1320520771810.jpg","alt":"091418lb1536939617129_7000k_1920x1080_1320520771810.jpg","title":"Matchups to watch in Eagles-Buccaneers"}
  18. video_url => "https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/video\/matchups-watch-eagles-buccaneers"
  19. is_mediaid => true
  20. mediaid => "XaacQYPwqK_v"
  21. video_autoplay => true
  22. video_automute => false
  23. mpx_account_id => "BxmELC"
  24. player_id => "philly_article"
  25. chrome_data => "{\"league\":\"\",\"sport\":\"\",\"sponsor\":\"\"}"
  26. sponsor => ""
  27. region => "philadelphia"
  28. fb_url => "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=1811037219016879&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fphiladelphia%2Feagles%2F5-matchups-watch-eagles-travel-south-face-buccaneers-week-2&display=popup"
  29. tw_url => "https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=5%20matchups%20to%20watch%20as%20Eagles%20travel%20south%20to%20face%20Buccaneers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fphiladelphia%2Feagles%2F5-matchups-watch-eagles-travel-south-face-buccaneers-week-2&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fphiladelphia%2Feagles%2F5-matchups-watch-eagles-travel-south-face-buccaneers-week-2"
  30. mailto => "mailto:?subject=5%20matchups%20to%20watch%20as%20Eagles%20travel%20south%20to%20face%20Buccaneers&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fphiladelphia%2Feagles%2F5-matchups-watch-eagles-travel-south-face-buccaneers-week-2"
  31. tags_hide => []
  32. type => "article"
  33. meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/philadelphia\/eagles\/5-matchups-watch-eagles-travel-south-face-buccaneers-week-2.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/philadelphia\/2018\/09\/14\/091418lb1536939617129_7000k_1920x1080_1320520771810.jpg"]}
  34. orig_image => {"uri":"public:\/\/2018\/09\/14\/091418lb1536939617129_7000k_1920x1080_1320520771810.jpg","alt":"091418lb1536939617129_7000k_1920x1080_1320520771810.jpg","title":"Matchups to watch in Eagles-Buccaneers"}
  35. article_type => "article"
Eagles

Eagles

The Eagles got off to a winning start in Week 1, escaping from the opener with an 18-12 victory over the Falcons. 

A few days later, the Bucs won a 48-40 shootout over Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans. 

This game in Tampa Bay will be one of just two matchups between 1-0 teams in the NFC this weekend. The other is Packers-Vikings. 

Here are five matchups to watch: 

Mike Evans vs. Ronald Darby 

It remains to be seen whether DeSean Jackson (concussion) will play. A matchup between Jackson and Darby would be fun to watch. But this one is even more interesting. Darby had a really good game in the opener and I’m interested to see how he performs this season with a full offseason in this defense. 

Evans, meanwhile, is the model of consistency in the NFL. He’s been in the league for four seasons and has at least 1,000 yards in each of them. He’s one of just three players in NFL history — A.J. Green and Randy Moss are the others — to do that. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, he’s a much different receiver than the speedy Jackson. He’s more of a big catch-radius type of guy, but also has speed. He caught seven passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. The Bucs have several weapons to watch, but Evans tops the list. 

Nick Foles vs. banged-up corners

Brees didn’t waste any time targeting rookie Carlton Davis when he entered last week’s game. Expect Foles to have some real chances to get the ball down the field. Vernon Hargreaves is on IR and Brent Grimes is 35 and has a groin injury. Foles is going to have a chance to do some damage if he can get into a rhythm. 

 

Brandon Brooks vs. Gerald McCoy

Lining up next to former Eagle Beau Allen is perennial Pro Bowler McCoy. McCoy lines up most often at LDT, which means he’ll be facing Brooks, who is a Pro Bowler too. This should be a fun matchup to watch. 

The Bucs’ defense starts with McCoy. They have other good players, but he’s sort of like their Fletcher Cox. Super talented, a game-wrecker and probably doesn’t get enough credit. If Brooks can handle McCoy without too much help from Jason Kelce, it would be a huge win for the Eagles. 

Bucs TEs vs. Malcolm Jenkins 

In addition to a talented trio of receivers, the Bucs also have two tight ends who play a lot in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard. Brate had 48 catches last season and Howard had 26 as a rookie. The Bucs had 20 plays with at least two tight ends on the field in Week 1.

The good news for the Eagles is that they’ve been pretty hard on tight ends recently. They gave up just three catches for 24 yards in the opener to Falcons TEs. And they gave up an average of 46 yards per game to tight ends last season. It really starts with Jenkins, who likes to play near the line of scrimmage. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Eagles' DL 

Did you guys know Fitzpatrick went to Harvard? You’re going to hear about that a lot this weekend. 

Yes, Fitzpatrick is smart. It’s how he’s stayed in the league for 14 seasons. He’s also coming off a game in which he accounted for five touchdowns and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. One of the most overlooked parts of Fitz’s game is his ability to use his legs. He’s not Mike Vick, but he will run at times. At the very least, he’s really good at buying time in the pocket. If the Eagles get to him, they need to get him down. 

More on the Eagles