- Philadelphia (11-6) is a 3-point road favorite over the Buccaneers (9-8) on Super Wild Card Weekend
- The Eagles’ negative-8 turnover margin is the worst in the NFL since Week 13
- Monday Night Football’s playoff matchup kicks off from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida at 8:15pm ET
Philadelphia is just the sixth team in NFL history to enter the postseason after losing five of its last six games. Seemingly on the edge of destruction, the Eagles head to Tampa Bay to face a Buccaneers club that won five of its final six contests to capture the NFC South crown.
Before we check the odds on this NFC wild-card round showdown and make our picks, here’s where you can find the best tips for betting on the 2024 NFL playoffs and the top betting sites for NFL football.
Buccaneers vs Eagles
Can Philly turn it around?
Philadelphia looked like a strong bet to return to the Super Bowl following their week 11 victory over the Bills. However, after suffering a blowout loss to the 49ers the very next Sunday, Nick Sirianni’s team fell into turmoil. Looming large in the tailspin is the ill-fated decision to replace defensive coordinator Sean Desai with Matt Patricia.
Patricia’s defense allowed 24 points in the first half of Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Giants, one week after the Cardinals put 35 on the scoreboard against them. The Eagles held the Bucs to just 174 yards of offense in a 25-11 win in September, but Desai was at the controls back in week 3.
“We have a lot of guys with experience in these moments. I am ready to go to battle with those guys.”
— Nick Sirianni on the Eagles entering the playoffs
(@WIPMorningShow) pic.twitter.com/q3rURpDz7k
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 9, 2024
Tampa Bay squeaks in
Baker Mayfield completed 20 of 32 passes for 137 yards and no touchdowns in an ugly 9-0 win over Carolina that clinched the NFC South for Tampa Bay. After suffering rib and ankle injuries in consecutive weeks, Mayfield may be hard pressed to return to the form he showed in December.
During a four-game win streak, the veteran QB threw for nine touchdowns and just one interception, helping the Buccaneers average 28.5 points per game. On Monday night, Mayfield must be better than he was in week 3 versus the Eagles when he went 15 of 25 for 146 yards, 1 TD and INT.
Tampa Bay vs Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a 3-point road favorite in Raymond James Stadium with the over/under set at 44 points. Jalen Hurts (finger) and A.J. Brown (knee) suffered injuries in Sunday’s loss to the Giants, but both should be good to go on Monday Night Football. And with receiver DeVonta Smith (knee) and D’Andre Swift (illness) set to return after resting up in week 18, there’s certainly hope for the Eagles seventh-ranked scoring offense.
.@BakerMayfield joins @TomBrady as the only QBs in franchise history to record a season with 4K+ passing yards, 25+ passing TDs and 10-or-fewer INTs. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/zK6pZTnLk5
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 9, 2024
Two bad passing defenses
Todd Bowles’ defense pitched a shutout against the worst team in football last week. But they have been torched through the air all year, allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game (248.9) in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s pass D ranks 31st of 32 teams, permitting 252.7 yards per week. Mike Evans could feast against the Eagles. The future Hall of Famer’s 13 TDs tied him with Tyreek Hill for the most in the NFL this season.
Best Bet
Philadelphia’s -8 turnover margin is the worst in the league since Week 13, and their +5 point differential on the season is the fifth-worst all-time for a team with 11-plus victories.
While this upset would’ve been unfathomable a month ago, we’ll take the Buccaneers to cover (+3) and win outright (+140) with the OVER 44 points.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
