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Strange, isn’t it? If there is a book out there on the Philadelphia Eagles like the one that AJ Brown has been reading on the sideline — maybe the Rams can should borrow a copy? But Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers seem to have some sacred documents on how to stymie the Eagles stored in the deep annals below Raymond James Stadium.
Many times that the Eagles have had a pivotal game against the Buccaneers — Tampa always seems to come out on top. Sure — the Eagles were dominant against Tony Dungy’s Buccaneers in the NFC Wildcard Round in the first couple years of Andy Reid’s tenure that the Eagles were in the playoffs.
But In 1979 — when Dick Vermeil’s Eagles were ascending for the first time in decades — the Buccaneers — who had combined for a 7–37 record in 3 seasons prior — defeated the Eagles in the Divisional Playoffs 24–17. Then in 2003 — Ronde Barber’s gut wrenching interception to close Veterans Stadium. The following September at the first game of the Linc — was another loss 17–0 to Tampa Bay. Fast forward to Jalen Hurt’s first playoff game loss 31–15 at Raymond James Stadium in 2022 and two years later a 32–9 loss in the 2024 NFC Wildcard Round that left us with the image of Jason Kelce’s unbridled outpouring of emotion captured by the national media.
But there is a silver lining when it comes to some of our painful history of Tampa Bay. Really.
Consider this. One year after the Eagles disappointing loss in Tampa in 1979 — they won the NFC and advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Two years after Jon Gruden’s Bucs denied the Eagles a Super Bowl appearance — Philadelphia went back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1980.
One year after Tom Brady and the Buccaneers ended the Eagles season in South Florida — Nick Sirianni’s Eagles were also in the Super Bowl. One year after the Eagles lost in the NFC Playoffs again to Tampa Bay in 2024 and just six months after another regular season 31–16 blowout loss at Raymond James Stadium — the Eagles completed the most magical post-season run in team history — winning Super Bowl LIX. After that week 4 loss — the Eagles went 12–1 for the rest of the season.
Across the South Philadelphia sports’ Complex — the Phillies are preparing to dazzle us with another Red October — perhaps ending with the exhilaration of a World Series victory like the defeat of Tampa in 2008 in South Philadelphia. Perhaps — it will be the Eagles who have a surprise ending on Sunday in the South Florida heat. If history is any judge — win or lose — the sky is the limit for these Eagles — either way.
Categorized: Eagles More PHL Unique Columns
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Michael Thomas Leibrandt
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