TAMPA, Florida: With a devastating 32-9 loss to the Bucs on Monday night in the Super Wild Card Playoff conclusion of the weekend, the Eagles' 2023 season came to an end at Tampa Bay. With six straight losses, Philadelphia entered the offseason with a lot of unanswered questions.


The offense managed one touchdown drive with two big plays, but that was about it for the evening, missing wide receiver A.J. Brown. The Bucs made big gain after big gain, especially in the passing game, and the defense had obvious gaps throughout the contest, missing safeties Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship.

It was a terribly depressing way to close the season. Here are some takeaways from the 2023 season finale ...

1. The offense and defense both had faults as a two-possession run late in the third quarter extended Tampa Bay's advantage, which at 16-9 suggested the Eagles were still in the game, however slimly, to 25-9. Following an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone that resulted in a Tampa Bay safety, quarterback Jalen Hurts, under pressure for much of the game from Tampa Bay's blitzing (18 of his first 25 dropbacks), couldn't escape pressure with the offense backed up near its goal line. The defense then gave up a 56-yard touchdown pass to Trey Palmer, who caught a 6-yard out pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield at the 50-yard line, eluded a tackle attempt from cornerback James Bradberry, and broke clear with a sprint to the end zone, putting Philadelphia in a commanding lead going into the fourth quarter.


2. Philadelphia's offense has produced just 218 net yards through three quarters of play, with 11 first downs, 0 for 7 on third downs, and 36 rushing yards on 12 runs. In their triumph in Week 3, the Eagles hammered the defense for 201 running yards and nearly 500 total yards. The Eagles were unable to maintain any meaningful offensive pressure and lacked any counters for Tampa Bay's blitz strategy. During the game, Philadelphia was 0 for 9 on third downs.


3. Gaining yardage in huge gulps is key to score in this league and going up top to wide receiver DeVonta Smith lifted the Eagles' offense out of its early-game doldrums on Monday night. Smith was knocked down at the Tampa Bay 5-yard line after Hurts connected with him for 55 yards down the left slot. After one play, the Eagles trailed 16–9, but Hurts found tight end Dallas Goedert with an easy pitch and catch. Goedert moved from left to right across the formation and was clear at the snap of the ball. The Eagles scored their first touchdown to tie the score. The Eagles attempted a two-point conversion from the 1-yard line after Tampa Bay was called for offsides, but Philadelphia had already converted the point-after kick. Surprisingly, the Bucs stopped the Brotherly Shove, and by the end of the second quarter, the score was still 16-9.


4. Tampa Bay scored a touchdown and three field goals in its opening four possessions. With 15 running plays for 68 yards and 10 of 20 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown, the Bucs showed solid balance. Until Tampa Bay caused damage, the Eagles had a few stops. On their first drive, they scored three points with 12 plays, 65 yards; on their second drive, they scored seven points with 4 plays; on their third drive, they scored three points with 10 plays; and on their fourth drive, they scored three points with 13 plays and 45 yards. Into the last minute of the first half, Tampa Bay was ahead 16–3. Although Tampa Bay missed six passes in the first half, it could have been worse.


5. Wide receiver David Moore of Tampa Bay. Who was David Moore listed as the Bucs' Biggest Threat during their pregame scouting? After being promoted from the practice squad, he participated in seven games during the season and had five receptions for 94 yards and a score. Prior to Monday night, he had 83 career receptions in 57 career games since joining the NFL in 2017. But there he was, making a tremendous play in the first quarter, sprinting away in the middle of the field on a crossing route after Eli Ricks collided with Avonte Maddox and fell in the middle of the field, receiving a throw, breaking tackles to reach the end zone and complete a 44-yard scoring play. After the PAT, Tampa Bay had a 10-0 lead.