Eagles at Buccaneers predictions for Week 4 of the NFL season

Eagles at Buccaneers predictions for Week 4 of the NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles (3-0) are in Tampa to face the Buccaneers (3-0) on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium at 1 p.m.

Let's get to the predictions:

Reuben Frank (3-0)

Enough losing to the Bucs. The Eagles are 1-6 in their seven games vs. Tampa since 2015, including losses of 16, 17, 23 and 28 points. Three of Nick Sirianni's eight-worst losses have come against the Bucs, including the last two - that 32-9 playoff nightmare in a 2023 wild-card game and a 33-16 blowout in Week 4 last year. The Eagles are 19-1 since. Raymond James Stadium is a tough place to play because of the extreme heat, and Todd Bowles is a terrific defensive coach who always seems to have a sound plan to neutralize Jalen Hurts. The Bucs are 3-0 this year and Baker Mayfield has been playing lights out. But they're also dealing with a long list of injuries, they won't have future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, a good chunk of their offensive line is banged up, and I think this is finally the game that the Eagles take it to the Bucs. This prediction comes with the caveat that if the offense reverts to what we saw against the Cowboys and Chiefs and the first half against the Rams, they won't win. But hopefully something clicked Sunday and Kevin Patullo can get the passing game going from the jump instead of waiting till the Eagles are down 19 points. I really like the way the Eagles' defense is playing - they always seem to get stronger as the game goes on - and if they can pressure Mayfield and force a couple turnovers and also deal with the heat, they're going to find their way to 4-0. So let's go with Eagles 27, Buccaneers 23, and the Eagles tie the franchise record of 10 straight wins, a streak that began after last year's loss to Tampa.

Eagles 27, Buccaneers 23

Dave Zangaro (3-0)

Yeah, I know the Buccaneers have had the Eagles' number and Raymond James Stadium hasn't been kind to the Birds during Nick Sirianni's time as head coach. But don't get too bogged down by the past. The Eagles know they're going to see a ton of blitzes come from Todd Bowles but they have grown in that respect over the last couple of years. I expect them to hit some big plays to take advantage of that aggressive defensive approach. The Buccaneers are pretty banged up coming into this game with key players like Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs all questionable. Even if they all play, the Bucs are still down Mike Evans and two other starting offensive linemen. The Eagles will miss Nolan Smith for the next month but I think they have enough to get over that loss and will do enough to beat the Bucs on Sunday.

Eagles 31, Buccaneers 24

Barrett Brooks (3-0)

The Eagles are traveling into hostile territory this Sunday. They will be battling two opponents: The Bucsand the elements. The temperatureis expected to be between 88 to 91 degrees, with 75% humidity. QB Jalen Hurts will put to bed the idea that he can'tread the Bucs' defense. This will be an offensive air attack on Tampas defense. I still remember the Bucs coaching assistant screaming, He can't read the defense!" Both WRs, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will have great days taking advantage of the blitz. That's what Hurts has to do, take advantageof the blitz by beatingit with big plays down the field.

DC Vic Fangio has to find a way to stop the run game. RB Bucky Irving is very explosive and with the patchwork Bucs O-line, they definitely don'twant them passing. Vic Fangio must once again mix in a heavy dose of blitzing, even to stop the run. With Nolan Smith on IR, I expect to see a consistentrotation of pass rushers to heat up Baker Mayfield.

Eagles 27, Bucs 20

Mike Mulhern (3-0)

The Eagles are 1-4 against the Buccaneers in the Nick Sirianni Era, but proper context is needed. Two of the losses came in Jalen Hurts' first full season as a starter when he was going opposite Tom Brady. The other two losses came with A.J. Brown injured. One put a final nail in the 2023 season and the other kick-started a Super Bowl run in 2024. They looked ugly but can be explained away in part by other circumstances. While the injury bug bit the Birds again this week, they're due to get some pay back against the Bucs.

Tampa Bay will be without Mike Evans and at least two starters along the offensive line. Replacing Evans' production could prove difficult. First-round pick Emeka Egbuka has emerged as a legitimate rookie of the year candidate. Chris Godwin looks poised to make his season debut, but it's been a long road back from injury and his impact could be limited.

I expect the Eagles to let their killers do their thing" as Brown implored after last week's win over the Rams. A big day through the air will eventually open running lanes for Saquon Barkley and they'll leave the sweltering heat with a win.

Eagles 27, Buccaneers 19

Ashlyn Sullivan (2-1)

At this point... it is silly to not pick the Eagles to win a game until proven otherwise. One loss in their last 20 games... and that loss came when Jalen Hurts was knocked out in the first quarter. I've turned the corner picking against this team. I do think we're going to see another week where Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' running game will be limited against this Bucs defense. Tampa's defense hasn't allowed a running back over 50 yards so far this season and Haason Reddick has seriously stepped on the scene with his new team. The Eagles' offense is going to have no choice but to come out being the aggressors" they told us about all week. Buccaneers' cornerback Zyon McCollum is tackling well but has yet to defend a pass this season. The Bucs' passing defense keeps things simple with one-on-one matchups. Put A.J. Brown on McCollum and that is the matchup the Eagles can expose all game. If the Bucs' offensive line was remotely healthy, I would think about this game being a loss for the Eagles. But, with the state of Tampa's offensive line - the right side of the line is injured - and Baker Mayfield already dealing with a hurt bicep, the Eagles are a healthy, more talented, deeper team going to Tampa and should handle business.

Eagles 24, Buccaneers 17