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Michael Baca’s takeaways:

1. Buccaneers get back on track with dominant win. Baker Mayfield‘s efficient quarterback play powered an offense that was seemingly unstoppable against the Eagles in the early going. The Bucs’ passing attack was the catalyst to Tampa Bay’s hot start, which included two consecutive touchdown drives to begin the game. Following a muffed punt by the Eagles at the end of the first quarter, Mayfield ensured an early onslaught by scoring on a sly run-option play from the 1-yard line on fourth down. The veteran carved up his opponent with quick, accurate throws that offered Philly’s defensive backs little room for error and its powerful defensive front little time to create pressure. Mayfield, who finished 30-of-47 passing for a season-high 347 yards with two touchdowns (zero interceptions) plus the rushing score, kept defenders on their heels by spreading the ball around to eight different receivers. Meanwhile, Rachaad White and Bucky Irving produced identical stat lines (10 rushes, 49 yards each) to keep the Eagles D honest in what was an impressive offensive showing. Following a Week 3 dud in which Tampa Bay mustered just seven points against a then-winless Broncos squad, the Buccaneers got back on track with a big win against one of the NFC’s perennial contenders. 
2. Rough start dooms Eagles. Philadelphia stared at 24-0 deficit midway through the second quarter before even converting a first down in the game. Three consecutive three-and-outs and surrendering scores on four of Tampa Bay’s first five possessions put the Eagles in a peculiar position that wasn’t ideal considering their top two receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith didn’t suit up. While the Eagles weren’t equipped for a shootout, Saquon Barkley did his best to make it a one-man show, leading the team in scrimmage yards (116 yards; 84 rushing, 32 receiving) and breathing life into a potential comeback to begin the second half with a 59-yard TD gallop. But the Eagles gave up a TD drive on the Bucs’ next possession, and despite the special teams unit scoring a two-pointer off a blocked extra point to make it a 14-point game midway through the third, Jalen Hurts‘s struggles (18 of 30 for 158 yards; passing TD, rushing TD) persisted in the second half as the Buccaneers pinned their ears back. The Eagles’ passing attack wasn’t at full strength and the defense was quickly spent thanks to the Bucs’ proficient day – not to mention the Florida humidity – but Philadelphia enters a much-needed bye week following a disappointing performance overall. 
3. Eldest Buc leads impressive defensive effort. Lavonte David, the oldest player on Tampa Bay’s roster, was an absolute menace who guided a dominant Buccaneers defense. The 34-year-old veteran led the team with eight tackles and produced two of the team’s six sacks, one of which a back-breaking strip-sack of Hurts in the third quarter that dashed any sliver of comeback hope. That play was the 30th forced fumble of David’s 13-year career, a stat that leads all active players, and his energy permeated through a Bucs defense that allowed a season-low 227 yards of total offense. David is trending toward having his name forever glorified in the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor, and Sunday he proved there is plenty more where that came from. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Eagles-Buccaneers (via NFL Pro): The Buccaneers generated their highest pressure rate (48.6%) in a game since Week 6, 2021, which was also against the Eagles. The Buccaneers were effective on blitzes, recording eight pressures and four sacks on 15 blitzes. Lavonte David had two sacks and four pressures on eight pass rushes. On the season, David has nine pressures, second-most on the Buccaneers and most among off-ball linebackers in the NFL through the early slate of Week 4.

NFL Research: Following a touchdown catch in the first quarter, Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (596) passed kicker Martin Gramatica (592) to become the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.