Caleb Wilfinger
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Following a long and grueling season, the NFL playoffs are finally here. Super Wild Card Weekend concludes on Monday with an NFC matchup, as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what is the final game of this weekend’s action. Here is my Eagles vs Buccaneers Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which kick off at 8:15 pm ET on ESPN. Also, be sure to check out all of our NFL picks throughout the playoffs.
Buccaneers ML (+128)
Over 42.5 (-118)
DeVonta Smith to record a touchdown (+195)
Same Game Parlay odds: +839
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ML over Philadelphia Eagles (+128)
The Eagles started the season in fine form with a 10-1 record, but this team has been a complete mess ever since. Philadelphia has gone 1-5 in their last 6 games, including getting blown out by the Giants last Sunday, and their defense looks a shell of its former self from a season ago. Philadelphia is allowing over 25 points per game to opposing offenses and cannot stop the passing game to save their lives, allowing over 267 passing yards per game. Another concern for the Eagles is quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is dealing with a troublesome finger injury and was benched during their Week 18 loss a week ago. The playoffs could not have come at a worse time for the Eagles, which doesn’t bode well heading into this matchup.
One of the Buccaneers’ biggest strengths this season has been their defense, as they are only allowing 19 points per game and have turned into one of the best units in the NFL heading into the postseason. The Bucs are coming into the game having won 5 of their last 6 games and appear to be catching fire at the right time. It’s been a little lost among the other storylines, but Baker Mayfield has quietly had a phenomenal season and threw for over 4,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. I’m expecting him to have a field day against this depleted Eagles secondary and have his way with them all game. While the Eagles knocked off the Bucs earlier in the season, these are 2 completely different teams compared to what we saw back in September. Let’s take Tampa to pull off the small upset at home.
Read our full Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers predictions
Over 42.5 (-110)
Over the course of the last 6 games, the Philadelphia Eagles have not been able to stop a nosebleed on defense, which was highlighted by the fact that even the Cardinals and Giants were able to have their way with them over the past month. During the regular season, the Eagles defense allowed 25 points per game, but that has jumped to 30 points per game in the last 6. Philadelphia is going to need to put points on the board if they want to keep up with the Buccaneers because I don’t have faith in their defense at all right now.
The Bucs’ offense shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball down the field throughout the game and scoring against the Eagles. Their defense is also playing very well at the moment but I expect the Eagles to put up their fair share of points with the weapons they have offensively. D’Andre Swift and DeVonta Smith should make plenty of plays to set up the Eagles for scoring opportunities.
DeVonta Smith to record a touchdown (+195)
Given his recent production and the dire situation for the Eagles at wide receiver, the value on Smith in this matchup is excellent. This is a bet that I’ve gone to in weeks past and I’m going back to the well with the Eagles most productive receiver in the red zone, especially against a Buccaneers pass defense that is much weaker than their run defense. The Bucs are elite against the run, and I’m sure they’ll try to disrupt the Eagles’ ground game. However, Tampa Bay is only the 20th-ranked defense against the pass per NFL.com and DeVonta Smith should shine as the main target for Jalen Hurts on Monday.
Smith has scored 7 touchdowns to this point in the season, with 5 of those scores having come in the last 8 games. The former Alabama receiver has become a security blanket for Hurts and he’ll need to haul in a few pivotal receptions if the Eagles are to have any chance in this one. At +195 this number feels too good to pass up.
Get our Eagles vs Buccaneers best touchdown scorer picks, inc. one prediction at +265 odds
