Eagles-Buccaneers Scouting Report

Recent history: The Eagles defeated Tampa Bay, 33-14, on Oct. 11, 2009 at the Linc, and lead the series, 8-7.

OFFENSE

Eagles

362.6 yards per game (12th)

Buccaneers

360.4 yards per game (14th)

Quarterback

Eagles

Nick Foles played much better against Dallas than he did the week before against Carolina, completing 65 percent of his passes, including 8 of 12 passes under pressure. He hasn't thrown an interception in 11 quarters and 91 attempts.

Bucs

Josh Freeman has a strong arm and isn't afraid to use it. Almost 20 percent of his attempts have traveled 20-plus yards. He's sixth in the league in yards per attempt (7.7) and has thrown 15 touchdown passes and just three interceptions in the last seven games.

Pick: Bucs

Running back

Eagles

Bryce Brown has rushed for 347 yards in the last two games, but also has fumbled three times. Three hundred twenty-three of those 347 yards have come out of three-wide receiver, one-back sets. The Eagles used the formation a season-high 75 percent at Dallas.

Bucs

Rookie Doug Martin is third in the league in rushing and second in yards from scrimmage. He is a compact, but powerful runner with good vision who explodes out of his cuts. He can run both inside and outside and is an excellent receiver.

Pick: Bucs

Receiving

Eagles

In Nick Foles' three starts, 43 of his 59 completions have been to a slot receiver, tight end or running back. Jason Avant had his most productive game of the season against the Cowboys, catching four passes for 79 yards, including a season-high 29-yarder.

Bucs

The offseason acquisition of Vincent Jackson not only has given the Bucs a legitimate No. 1 receiver, but also has created a lot of one-on-one opportunities for the other wideout, Mike Williams. They've combined for 93 receptions and 13 touchdowns.

Pick: Bucs

Offensive line

Eagles

Nick Foles has been sacked just twice in the last two games and has been under pressure on a reasonable 36.4 percent of his dropbacks. The line has done a very good job of blocking for Bryce Brown, who has averaged 8.1 yards per carry the last 2 weeks.

Bucs

Like the Eagles, the Bucs have lost three starters to season-ending injuries, including Pro Bowl guards Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph. But their backups have stepped up. The Bucs are fifth in the league in sacks allowed per pass play and eighth in rushing average.

Pick: Bucs

DEFENSE

Eagles

351.5 yards per game (17th)

Buccaneers

391.8 yards per game (30th)

Defensive line

Eagles

The Eagles got decent pressure on Tony Romo in the first half last week, but couldn't maintain it. Brandon Graham, making his first start at LE since the release of Jason Babin, got a season-high 33 snaps and registered 1 1/2 sacks, two knockdowns and two hurries.

Bucs

The Bucs have only 18 sacks, but are first in the league against the run, holding opponents to 3.4 yards per carry. With 2011 first-round DE Adrian Clayborn on IR with a knee injury, ex-Eagle Daniel Te'o Nesheim is starting at RE. He's done a good job against the run.

Pick: Eagles

Linebacker

Eagles

In the last five games, opposing tight ends have 29 catches and 3 TDs and have averaged 11.0 yards per catch. WLB Akeem Jordan, who stablilized the run defense late last year, hasn't played nearly as well this season since being moved from SAM to WILL.

Bucs

They lost their starting SAM, Quincy Black, to a neck injury. His replacement, Adam Hayward, is a career backup. Their starting WILL, rookie Lavonte David, has been everything the Bucs had hoped he would be when they drafted him. He leads the team in tackles.

Pick: Even

Secondary

Eagles

Opposing quarterbacks have a 142.4 passer rating in the last six games. They've completed 76.3 percent of their passes, averaged 10.0 yards per attempt and thrown 16 touchdown passes and no interceptions in those six games. Eagles have two INTs in the last 10 games.

Bucs

After trading away one starting corner, Aquib Talib, and losing the other, Eric Wright, to a four-game suspension, the Bucs are thin at corner. They are last in the league in passing yards allowed, but have 17 interceptions.

Pick: Bucs

Special teams

Eagles

PK Alex Henery has converted 22 straight field-goal attempts, and 36 of his last 37 dating to last season. Eleven of his last 17 kickoffs have been touchbacks. The special teams have shown marked improvement the last 3 weeks.

Bucs

The special teams haven't been very good. They're 24th in kick coverage, 27th in punt coverage, 29th in kick returns and 24th in punt returns. PK Connor Barth has hit six field-goal attempts from 50 yards or longer. K Michael Koenen has league-best 52 touchbacks.

Pick: Eagles

Domo's prediction: Bucs 31, Eagles 17

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

1. Eagles CBs Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie vs. Bucs WRs Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams: The 6-5 Jackson and the 6-2 Williams have combined for 93 receptions and 13 touchdowns. Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie both have had disappointing seasons. Advantage: Bucs

2. Eagles slot WR Jason Avant vs. Bucs nickel CB Danny Gorrer: Avant is coming off his most productive game of the season. Gorrer has played just 36 snaps this season. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles LDE Brandon Graham vs. RT Demar Dotson: Making just his eighth NFL start last week, Graham had 1 1/2 sacks, 2 knockdowns and 2 hurries on 20 pass rushes. The 6-9, 315-pound Dotson has replaced injured Jeremy Trueblood. Advantage: Even

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: RB Bryce Brown. Followed his 178-yard, 2-touchdown rushing effort vs. Carolina with 169 yards and 2 TDs against Dallas.

Bucs: QB Josh Freeman. Has thrown 18 touchdown passes and just 4 interceptions in the last eight games.

NOT

Eagles: Ss Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen. Coleman and Allen continue to be the biggest problems in a secondary that has given up 16 TD passes in the last six games.

Bucs: RB Doug Martin. Martin is third in the league in rushing, but has averaged just 2.7 yards per carry in the last two games.