BY: RUTH CAGUIAS
Magic man Mayfield and the Bucs rallied late in the fourth quarter to close the gap on the Eagles but a costly Baker interception deflated the chances of a game-winning comeback and Philly hands the Bucs an L, 31-25 in week four.
The Buccaneers fall to 3-1 and the Eagles remain undefeated after a gruesome battle that could not have started and ended worse for Tampa. At the end of the first possession, the Bucs have a Riley Dixon punt blocked that Philly returns for a touchdown. In the final hopes for a comeback with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Mayfield scrambles to avoid a sack and lobs the ball in the air on first-and-goal. Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell slides in front for the catch on the goal-line and though a flag is thrown the call is on the Bucs and the turnover deflates the stadium.
Baker Mayfield completes 22/40 for 289 yards, two touchdowns and a single interception. A 72-yard touchdown reception to running-back, Bucky Irving and 77 to Egbuka. This Marked Bakers first multiple 70+ yard touchdown receptions in his career. Rookie wide out, Emeka Egbuka had four receptions despite 10 targets for 101 yards and a 77 yard touchdown. That marks Egbuka’s fourth touchdown in the first four games surpassing Mike Williams (2010) for the most touchdown receptions for a rookie in the first four. Irving had better luck in the air with 5 logged in receptions for 102 yards with a 72-yard catch for a touchdown.
Don’t call it a Comeback
Bucs golden child, wide receiver Chris Godwin made his 2025 debut after a ghastly lower-leg injury in week 7 of last year. Godwin was targeted 10 times but pulled away with three receptions for 26 yards.
Right tackle, Tristan Wirfs returned to the field since suffering a knee injury and having surgery in the off-season. The Bucs are still banged up in the front but the return of Wirfs was impactful.
Even with the Bucs out yarding the Eagles in the second half 277-33 the deficit was too wide to gap. Tampa generated 376 yards of offense compared the Eagles 200 net offense, averaging 7.7 yards per play. The Bucs forced 6-out-7 punts in the Eagles final possessions but the mistakes from the first half came back to hunt them.
Let’s Talk Defense
Bucs nose tackle Vita Vea recorded three tackles, (2 for a loss of yards) 2 sacks and two quarterback hits. Safety Tykee Smith led the Bucs with nine tackles and two passes defensed.
Tampa limited Eagles Running back Saquon Barkley to 43 yards on 19 carries. A 2.3 average marking the fifth lowest in a game with 15 carries or more and the lowest since signing with the Eagles.
Eagles wide out AJ Brown had his worse career game with the Bucs limiting him to two catches on the day.
Special Teams
Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin went 3-for-3 converting points on a 42, 58, and 65 yards out. McLaughlin’s 65-yard kicked marked a new franchise record for the Buccaneers and tied for the second-longest outdoor field goal in NFL history.
Bucs receiver Kameron Johnson returned six punts with the longest return of 46 yards to give the Buccaneers solid field position. Johnson is averaging 15.9 yards per return this season ranking highest in the NFL in the realm of returners with more than 10 returns.
Even with the Eagles not adding any points to the board in the fourth quarter the Bucs could not get a head and week four 3-1 as they head to Seattle.
