Eagles vs. Bucs: First half observations as Philadelphia trails 21-7

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The Eagles’ game plan was to keep up with the Buccaneers in the passing game and through one half of play, the results have been subpar at best.

Philadelphia’s offense has been subpar thus far and they’ve only attempted two rushing plays on the night, with Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell currently a nonfactor through one half of play.

Here are several observations and takeaways, as Philadelphia trails, 21-7.

Eagles running game non existent

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

It’s beyond nonexistent, the Eagles won’t even attempt to get Miles Sanders involved in the running game. With Tampa Bay banged up in the secondary, it was expected that Philadelphia would attack through the air, but to not challenge Tampa Bay at all on the ground is criminal.

Through one half of play, Jalen Hurts leads the Eagles with 6 carries for 20 yards, while Miles Sanders has 1 carry for 1-yard.

Jalen Hurts not keeping up with Brady

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Through the first half, Brady is 20-26, for 186 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception late in the first half. Hurts for his part is 5-14 for 54-yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception while missing on several big throws.

Zach Ertz playing in final game as an Eagle?

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Ertz has 2 catches for 21-yards and a touchdown in the first half with Dallas Goedert out due to COVID-19 protocols. Ertz is playing in lieu of a Jay Glazer report that one of the Philadelphia tight ends could be traded before the start of Week 7.

Quez Watkins-Jalen Reagor heading in opposite directions

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Watkins has already started to earn more snaps than Reagor and through the first half, the 2020 first-round pick has two drops on 3 targets, while Watkins has 1 catch for 23 yards.

Eagles linebackers soft at the point of attack

Oct 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Alex Singleton (49) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Singleton had 9 tackles in the first half, but a lot of the time, he was meeting Leonard Fournette or Ronald Jones late as both backs have been able to rack up yards after the catch or yards after contact.

Leonard Fournette monster night

(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

We talked earlier about holding Fournette under 100-yards from scrimmage and the Bucs power running back achieved the feat early on in the third quarter.

Fournette logged 14-carries for 65-yards, while also adding 5-catches for 44 yards, a recipe the Eagles would love to have.

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