The Philadelphia Eagles remained undefeated by taking down an opponent that has historically given them fits, as the Eagles flew down to Tampa and earned a 31-25 victory over Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
Philly started quickly, as the Eagles blocked a punt on the Buccaneers' first possession of the game, and returned it 35 yards the other way for a touchdown. Dallas Goedert also caught two first-half touchdowns to help the Eagles acquire a 24-6 halftime lead. However, a strong third quarter got the Bucs right back in the game.
Emeka Egbuka caught a 77-yard touchdown on a magnificent pass from Mayfield, and Bucky Irving redeemed himself with a 72-yard touchdown reception after fumbling the ball away on the previous possession. A 58-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal cut Philly's lead to eight points, but then the wheels started to fall off.
Mayfield threw an interception in the end zone while trying to force a ball to Chris Godwin, and then the Bucs turned the ball over on downs with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. That was the ball game.
Jalen Hurts completed 15 of 24 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, and led the Eagles with 62 rushing yards on nine attempts. Saquon Barkley rushed for just 43 yards on 19 carries, but did find the end zone in the second half. Goedert was Philly's leading receiver with 37 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions. This Eagles team brought the heat on a day where it felt like 100 degrees in Tampa, and the reigning Super Bowl champions are now 4-0.
Here's a breakdown of the top moments from this NFC showdown.
Blocked punt TD to start the game
This game started with a bang, as Cam Latu blocked Riley Dixon's punt on the sixth play from scrimmage.
Technically, this meant the Eagles had a blocked kick return touchdown on two straight drives dating to last week's win over the Los Angeles Rams. According to CBS Sports Research, the Eagles are the only team in the Super Bowl era to have back-to-back defensive drives end with a blocked kick returned for a touchdown!
Jalen Hurts on a roll
The Eagles didn't put up monster numbers on Sunday. In fact, the offense recorded just 200 yards of total offense! But it's worth crediting Hurts for his play. If we include playoffs, the Eagles quarterback is 18-0 in games started and finished, with 45 total touchdowns and just five turnovers.
Hurts is just the third quarterback in the last 30 years to win 18 straight games started and finished, joining Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Yes, sometimes the Eagles offense looks like a grandma driving a Ferrari, but it's efficient and it wins games.
Chase McLaughlin drills 65-yard FG
McLaughlin was a star on Sunday, as he nailed a 58-yard field goal, and a 65-yard field goal. This kick set a career long for him, and was the longest field goal made in Bucs franchise history. Justin Tucker owns the NFL record with a 66-yard field goal, but this kick was the longest outdoors field goal made in NFL history.
McLaughlin is the first kicker to make two field goals of at least 58 yards in a game since Brandon Aubrey in 2024.
Two 70-yard TDs?!
After falling behind 24-6, the Buccaneers climbed out of this hole with two 70-yard touchdowns. First, Mayfield hit rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka for a 77-yard touchdown, in which he threaded the needle.
Following a Bucky Irving fumble, the running back redeemed himself with a 72-yard touchdown reception later in the third quarter.
With these splash plays, Mayfield became the first player to have multiple 70-yard touchdown passes in a quarter since J.P. Losman in 2006.
What's next
The Eagles return to Philadelphia next week, and will host Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos. As for the Buccaneers, they hit the road to take on Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle had a mini-bye, as the Seahawks defeated the Arizona Cardinals on "Thursday Night Football."