Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7:00 Lincoln Financial Field, PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania
NEEDS TO STEP UP:
QB Sam Bradford: If he doesn’t show a basic command of the Offense, the media will be all over the coaching staff, and asking questions to sow (further) dissent among the roster over whether or not Carson Wentz should start over Bradford this season. The job is Bradford’s to lose.
WE MUST CONTAIN:
WR Mike Evans: This guy is the straw that stirs the Buccaneers drink. If you take him away, then you can load the box and take away RB Doug Martin, thereby shutting down the Bucs offense. That’s not to say that WR Vincent Jackson is no longer a threat, but he clearly isn’t what he used to be. Take away QB Jameis Winston‘s big toy and the whole thing bogs down.
STORY LINE:
Battle of the virgins! We’re about to get our first look at our rookie Head Coach Doug Pederson. Interestingly enough, the Bucs head coach (Dirk Koetter) is also breaking his cherry that night. Preseason games rarely feature much game-planning and are pretty vanilla to boot. However, these coaches would be wise to open their play books a little wider, to get an idea of just how well their respective rosters have absorbed their schemes, or how much more work is left ahead for them.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Eagles are the deeper, more talented team, and are playing at home.
PREDICTION:
EAGLES 24 – Bucs 18
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 