The final game of the NFL’s wild-card playoff round features two teams headed in opposite directions.
When the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers met in Week 3, the Eagles easily emerged with a 25-11 victory. But each team’s trajectory has changed significantly since that showdown.
The defending NFC champion Eagles have lost five of their last six games, relinquishing the NFC East crown. While Philadelphia has encountered its share of offensive issues, a defensive tailspin that led to the team finishing 30th in points allowed (25.2 per game) has also been key to the team’s demise.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, found their late-season mojo, winning five of their last six contests to recapture the NFC South title. Can Baker Mayfield carry an offense that has scored just 22 points in the last two weeks?
USA TODAY Sports will bring you the latest updates, scores, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more from the Eagles-Buccaneers NFC wild-card playoff game. Follow along.
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First quarter
Buccaneers field goal (10:02) — Chase McLaughlin, 28 yards
Buccaneers TD (5:47) — David Moore, 44-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Chase McLaughlin extra point
Second quarter
Buccaneers field goal (14:03) — Chase McLaughlin, 54 yards
Eagles field goal (11:31) — Jake Elliott, 47 yards
Buccaneers 13, Eagles 0: Chase McLaughlin hits 54-yard field goal
The Buccaneers have scored 13 unanswered points, the latest being a…
