2 min read • January 13, 2022
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Injury Advantage: Eagles Offense
The Eagles have the biggest injury advantage of Wildcard Weekend, with a majority of that health edge coming from the Buccaneers’ injury-addled defense.
Tampa Bay is battling through injuries at key positions, including to key linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Lavonte David.
We are not confident that either linebacker would be effective if they play, with Barrett spotted in practice with a big brace on his right knee and David absent from practice Wednesday.
David has not played since Week 15, while Barrett has not played since Week 16.
Also, cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean were limited in practice Wednesday with hamstring injuries. Veteran cornerback Richard Sherman is out for the season with an Achilles injury, potentially leaving the Buccaneers down the No. 1, 3 and 4 corners.
Expect Eagles wideout Devonta Smith to find plenty of room in the secondary, while running backs Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard should combine for a big day on the ground.
The Eagles led the league in rushing this season, while the Buccaneers gave up the third-least rushing yards per game.
Secondary Advantage: Eagles Run Defense
The Buccaneers look poised to get running back Leonard Fournette back this week, but he suffered a severe hamstring injury Week 15 and likely will not be 100%.
No. 2 running back Giovani Bernard was activated from IR this week and has a chance to play for the first time since Week 14.
Bernard will likely serve in a pass-catching role out of the backfield, while depth running back Ronald Jones Jr. is questionable to play this week with an ankle injury he suffered Week 17.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have an entirely healthy starting defensive line and linebacking core.
In addition to the injury advantage, Philadelphia has allowed the ninth least rushing yards this season, while the Buccaneers ranked 26th in rushing yards this season.
Check out the matchup fieldview at:
https://sicscore.com/nfl/games/philadelphia-eagles-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-1
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