In the exciting Wild Card weekend finale, the Bucs (9-8) will play the Eagles (11-6) on Monday night. The game has very short odds.
The season has been difficult for quarterback Baker Mayfield his club, who just avoided elimination from the playoffs for the fourth time in a row with a 9-0 victory over a 2-15 Panthers squad in the season’s last game.
However, the Bucs, who have won five of their previous six games, seem to be finding their groove at the perfect moment.
For the Eagles, it’s the other way around.
After defeating the Bucs handily in Week 3 at Raymond James Stadium, Philadelphia began the season with a 10-1 record. However, as Tampa Bay turned things around in the closing weeks, the Eagles lost five of their last six games and their opportunity to win the NFC East.
Nevertheless, on Tampa’s own field, the oddsmakers are selecting the Eagles.
As of this writing, The Seminole Hard Rock has the Eagles favored with a 3-point spread and an over-under of 43.5. But it could be difficult for these sides to score points since they have two injured quarterbacks and there might be rain in the forecast.
Important Injuries
On both sides of the ball, quarterbacking presents serious issues. In the last game of the regular season last week, Mayfield suffered an ankle injury. He has been persevering through a rib issue.
QB Jalen Hurts may have limited airborne play because of a throwing hand injury he sustained last week. Hurts was restricted in practice leading up to tonight after dislocating his middle finger during a terrible defeat to the Giants.
Hurts will also be devoid of one of his primary objectives. With a knee issue, wide receiver AJ Brown is not expected to play tonight.
DeVonta Smith, a wide receiver for the Eagles, is anticipated to return tonight, although his ankle injury from last week may restrict him.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor
During the Bucs’ game versus the Eagles, the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will also be in attendance.
The team said that Yolanda Renee King, Arndrea Waters King, and Martin Luther King III would be special guests for the Wild Card game. The squad said that they would all be acknowledged as honorary Buccaneers team captains and take part in the coin toss during the match.
The weather
Hurts won’t benefit from the possibility of rains this afternoon and tonight in terms of his ball-grip. If the Eagles choose to depend on the run, they will be up against one of the league’s top run defenses.
Those planning to watch the game tonight have to bring a poncho and be informed about any possible pop-up rains.
Gates, Parking Lots, and Game Times
Parking lots open three and a half hours before start. At 6:30, the stadium’s gates will open. The game is set to begin at 8:15 p.m.
Tickets
Officially sold out, game tickets may still be found for around $100 each on a number of resale websites.
How to Pay Attention/Listen
ESPN will broadcast the game, while 98ROCK will broadcast it on radio.
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