Eagles analysis: Birds move to 3-0 as Jalen Hurts and the defense wear down the Bucs in a 25-11 road win

TAMPA, Fla. — With the Eagles desperately searching for an explosive play, Jalen Hurts stood patiently in the middle of the pocket. He shuffled his feet, his offensive line helping maintain a clean pocket as he scanned every direction across the field. Right as a Buccaneers outside linebacker shed a Jordan Mailata block, Hurts zeroed in on his target. Olamide Zaccheaus hadn’t broken away from his defender just yet, but Hurts decided he would trust his gut, and he led Zaccheaus to an open portion of grass right in front of the end zone.

It was an exhilarating moment from the 25-year-old quarterback, who continues to develop as a decision-maker. It was Hurts’ best throw of the season. It also was the Eagles’ first touchdown in a dominant 25-11 victory over the Buccaneers on Monday night.

“One big thing we love about Jalen is he [bails] us out of so many situations,” left guard Landon Dickerson said. “It’s a beautiful thing how he’s able to extend plays. We’ve been playing with him for a while now that we know if we keep blocking for him, he’ll extend it, receivers will get open, and he will make things happen.

The win improved the Eagles’ record to 3-0. Philadelphia is just one of three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL, joining the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins.

Hurts acknowledged during his postgame press conference that he dealt with flu-like symptoms leading up to kickoff. On a steamy and wet night, Hurts didn’t appear to be 100 percent. He completed 23 of 37 throws for 277 yards with one touchdown and a season-high two interceptions. He also had 10 rushes for 28 yards and one rushing touchdown.

Asked how his illness affected him, Hurts offered a brief reply: “We won. Just happy we made it through.”

Aiding Hurts was wide receiver A.J. Brown, who paced the offense with nine catches and a season-high 131 receiving yards, while running back D’Andre Swift provided 130 rushing yards on 16 attempts (8.1 average). Running back Kenneth Gainwell added 43 rushing yards on 14 carries, a majority of them occurring during the team’s final drive.

Despite the collective effort, the Eagles still left points on the field as kicker Jake Elliott made his three field goal attempts.

“Jalen did a good job of managing the game,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “We can’t turn the ball over. We want those back. But overall, I thought he did really good. ...I think it’s unfair to say the passing offense hasn’t taken [off]. I think we’re a balanced offense right now that was able to get a lead tonight and then lean on the run game.”

Earlier in the week, Hurts was asked about an incident that occurred during the team’s last trip to Raymond James Stadium, the NFC wild-card round two seasons ago, when an NFL Films clip captured Bucs cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross telling players on the bench that Hurts “can’t read” a defense.

Roughly one year and eight months later, Hurts made his return to Tampa and departed victorious. Hurts is now 20-1 over his last 21 regular-season starts dating back to Week 15 of the 2021 season.

Said Hurts: “It’s a feeling I haven’t forgot — and things have gone well ever since.”

Just three weeks into his NFL career, Jalen Carter appears to be the real deal. The defensive tackle, picked ninth overall in April, flashed every time he stepped onto the field. Carter halted the Buccaneers’ two-minute opportunity near the end of the first half when he delivered a bone-crushing hit on running back Rachaad White, punched the football loose, and forced a key fumble that was pounced on by the Eagles.

Carter consistently battled through double teams, an indicator that opposing offensive coordinators already have prioritized him during their game prep.

» READ MORE: Defense carries the Eagles to a third straight win with a safety and two turnovers | Marcus Hayes

After Hurts was picked off on a deep ball in the second half, the Buccaneers regained possession at their own 1-yard line. On the ensuing possession, the Bucs attempted to create space, but Carter and second-year defensive tackle Jordan Davis ate up so much attention from multiple blockers that it created a free rush hole for linebacker Nicholas Morrow. Thanks to a collective effort led by Carter’s presence and Morrow’s initial contact, the Eagles recorded a safety and swung momentum back to the visitors’ sideline.

The Sean Desai-led defense limited Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield to 15-of-25 passing for just 146 yards with one touchdown and one interception (picked off by safety Reed Blankenship).

“It was a good call by Desai to put movement up front so they couldn’t double Jalen Carter — but they still tried to double JC,” Morrow said of the play call that led to his safety. “So I was able to jump over the center and get the tackle. The biggest thing with [Carter] is his get-off speed, and then his violence. He’s intentional about punching the football out. He’s precise and takes big swings for us.”

The Eagles’ banged-up secondary trotted out yet another look with cornerback James Bradberry moving from the outside to the nickel. It was a selfless move from the All-Pro Bradberry, who has played exclusively at outside cornerback throughout his eight-year career.

Bradberry provided a veteran presence into Monday’s matchup thanks to his past experience matching up against the Bucs’ top receivers, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, while he starred for the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles also rotated in rookie defensive back Sydney Brown at the nickel, while second-year player Josh Jobe occasionally appeared on the outside on the opposite side of Darius Slay. Brown recorded an impressive pass defensed in the right corner of the end zone, where he laid out completely to punch the football out of Evans’ grip on third down.

“I knew I had a play to make,” Brown said. “Anytime we’re backed up against our end zone, that’s the mentality: make a play. That’s one of the best pass-catchers in the NFL. But our defense was rolling.”

Already without their top nickel cornerbacks, Avonte Maddox (torn pec) and Zech McPhearson (torn Achilles), the Eagles will need to continue to adapt as the season progresses and the opposition gets tougher.

Wide receiver Quez Watkins (hamstring) and running back Boston Scott (concussion) did not play. With Scott sidelined, the Eagles activated wide receiver Devon Allen, who made his NFL debut. Allen, a two-time Olympic hurdler, handled multiple responsibilities on special teams, including gunner and kickoff returner.

Sydney Brown (thigh), Dickerson (knee contusion), and safety Justin Evans (neck) sustained injuries during Monday night’s victory. The three did not return to the game.