For many of the Eagles’ losses this season, it would have been unfair to blame the defense.
Not Sunday.
The Eagles’ defense was absolutely shredded by the Buccaneers at the Linc.
The Birds gave up 521 yards in a 45-17 loss to the Buccaneers at home in a game the team needed to win.
To be fair, the offense wasn’t any better either. Mark Sanchez got the start in place of Sam Bradford and failed to get the offense going. He threw three interceptions, the last of which was returned for a touchdown.
The Eagles have now lost to the Dolphins and Buccaneers at home in consecutive weeks.
Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin finished with 235 yards on the ground, the second-most ever against the Eagles. He had the biggest rushing day in the NFL of any player since his 251-yard day in 2012.
Rookie Jameis Winston threw five touchdown passes against the Eagles to five different receivers. Winston became the third quarterback since the merger to pass for five touchdowns against the Eagles, joining Eli Manning and Joe Montana.
With the loss, the Eagles fell to 4-6 and lost ground on the division-leading Giants, who are on their bye week. The Eagles are in third place in the division behind the Giants and Redskins.
The Bucs improved to 5-5 with the win.
First half
The Eagles actually got on the board first Sunday with the help of a wacky play. DeMarco Murray fumbled on the third play of the game but the Bucs' defense fumbled the ball back and the Eagles started over.
They went 86 yards on seven plays and capped the drive with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Sanchez to Josh Huff.
Then things went down hill.
The Bucs scored their first touchdown a little later in the first quarter and ended up taking a 28-14 lead at halftime.
Winston threw four first-half touchdowns. He became the second rookie to ever throw four touchdowns against the Eagles in a game. The other was Robert Griffin III in 2012.
Meanwhile, Martin ran for 177 yards in the first half and the Bucs out-gained the Eagles 356-312 in the first half.
Turning point
After a false start from Brandon Graham gave the Buccaneers a manageable third down, Winston pitched the ball to Martin, who ran 58 yards. Winston threw a fade to Mike Evans two plays later to get the Bucs on the board and tied the game at 7-7. They scored three more touchdowns in the first half.
Key stat
The Buccaneers were 10 for 16 on third downs. The Eagles were 7 for 15.
Offensive stud
Tight end Brent Celek had seven catches for 79 yards. He was the team’s leading receiver.
Offensive dud
After Huff’s early touchdown, the wide receivers continued to be non-factors.
Defensive stud
Walter Thurmond forced a fumble in his second straight game.
Defensive dud
We’re going to go ahead and make this a team honor. The Eagles’ defense had a terrible performance going against a 4-5 team with a rookie quarterback.
Injuries
Zach Ertz suffered a concussion in the first half and did not return.
Jason Peters (back) was active and started at left tackle after missing the last two games. Sam Bradford (concussion, left shoulder) and Ryan Mathews (concussion) were ruled out during the week for the Bucs game.
Up next
The Eagles have a very short week before traveling to Detroit to face the Lions in a 12:30 p.m. game on Thanksgiving.
