The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t had the smoothest of runs to the playoffs this season. However, all that would matter to the franchise right now is how they would make the most of the opportunity they’ve been handed.
One thing is for certain: Baker Mayfield, their talismanic quarterback this season, will have a prominent role to play in their postseason efforts. That is why his fitness concerns over the past week have raised quite a lot of eyebrows. Let’s find out more.
Baker Mayfield going to play against Eagles?
Baker Mayfield’s availability concerns over the past week have made a lot of Bucs faithful feel queasy. After missing the first practice session on Thursday, those concerns went up a notch with the seasoned veteran nursing an ankle and rib injury. However, he was seen training with the first team on their second practice session for the week.
#Bucs Baker Mayfield (in black) running jumping looks fine on that ankle. #Eagles #NFL pic.twitter.com/aPIHOJotJK
— rock riley (@realrockriley) January 12, 2024
At first glance, his ankle looked fine as the 28-year-old went about his usual practice routine. Mayfield was seen jumping about with ease and practicing a few sharp throws as well. This would definitely instill confidence in the minds of the Bucs faithful regarding their chances against the mighty Eagles.
As for Baker Mayfield, he would also look to prove his worth to the Buccaneers supporters after facing false accusations during the season.
Eagles vs Bucs match preview
The Bucs will face off against the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles in their first game of the playoffs. Playing against the Eagles and dealing with their rock-solid defense, filled with the likes of Jason Kelce and Jalen Hurts, will cause a lot of trouble for the already faltering Bucs’ offense.
However, the Eagles will enter this matchup on a weaker note after faltering towards the end of the regular season. With a proven pedigree in their ranks, the Eagles team would look to recreate their exploits from last season, which saw them go all the way to the Super Bowl.
As for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, if Mayfield is deemed fit, they will enter the pitch with a lot of confidence in their performance. With the offensive group at full tilt, the team has been revitalized and has gotten better significantly in recent weeks. However, according to Fox Sports, the Philadelphia Eagles are still considered the odds-on favorites.
What are your thoughts on the wild-card showdown between the two sides? Let us know in the comments.
