On September 28, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium, the Philadelphia Eagles traveled to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game ended 31-25 in favor of the Eagles. That scoreline is more than just numbers — it reflects tight competition, bold plays, and a stat-filled fight for control. In this article you will get a full “Eagles vs Buccaneers player stats” breakdown: team numbers, stand-out individual performances, deeper metrics beyond the box score, and even what those stats mean for fantasy players and bettors.
You’ll see how both offenses moved the ball, who made big catches or key runs, which defenders or special teams players swung momentum, and how advanced stats tell a deeper story than seen in the highlights.
If you’re hunting for a clear, detailed, and easy-to-follow look at the “Eagles vs Bucs box score” — this is the guide for you.
Match Recap Snapshot – Scoreline, Turning Points, And Stat Story In One View
The Eagles jumped out fast in Tampa, scoring two quick touchdowns and returning a blocked punt for a score in the first quarter. By halftime, they led 24–6 after adding another touchdown and a field goal. In the third quarter the Bucs came alive — two long touchdown passes cut the gap. But Philadelphia responded with a strong rush that pushed the lead back. Late in the fourth, Tampa Bay tried to rally, but a goal-line interception and stout defense sealed the 31–25 win for Philadelphia.
That game saw big swings. The Eagles controlled offense early. The Buccaneers fought back hard on big plays. In the end, a mix of offensive balance, special teams, and defensive resolve decided it.
Quick Game Summary
| Final score | Eagles 31 – Buccaneers 25 |
| Top Eagles passer | 15/24, 130 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT (Quarterback) |
| Top Eagles rusher | 32 carries (team total), 88 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD |
| Top Eagles receiver | 4 catches, 37 yards, 2 TDs |
| Headline stat 1 | Blocked punt returned for TD (special teams play) |
| Headline stat 2 | Bucs scored two big passing TDs (77 yd and 72 yd), showing explosive-offense threat |
Team-Level Numbers – How Eagles And Buccaneers Compared Across The Box Score
Offensive Production Comparison
The Buccaneers outgained the Eagles overall. Tampa Bay totaled 376 net yards while Philadelphia managed 200.
Tampa Bay ran 68 plays; the Eagles had 58. Yards per play: Bucs averaged 5.5, Eagles only 3.4.
Passing vs rushing balance:
- Philadelphia passed for 130 yards (15/24) with 2 touchdowns, and rushed for 88 yards on 32 attempts.
- Tampa Bay passed for 289 yards (22/40) with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception; rushed for 104 yards.
Time of possession favored Tampa Bay: 31:52 versus 28:08 for Philadelphia.
Despite losing the yardage battle, Philadelphia made the most of their drives — two passing TDs and a rushing TD plus special teams score.
Mistakes And Discipline
Turnovers: Eagles had 0 turnovers. Buccaneers had 2 turnovers.
Penalties: Philadelphia was flagged 8 times for 83 yards; Tampa Bay had 5 penalties for 40 yards.
Sacks allowed / pressure (combined from box data): Both teams had 2 sacks each — Eagles’ QB was sacked twice, Bucs’ QB also sacked twice.
These discipline factors shaped the result heavily. The Eagles avoided mistakes and stayed clean on offense. The Bucs gained more yards, but turnovers plus some penalties — and maybe lack of red-zone efficiency — hurt.
Because Philadelphia kept possession under control and didn’t give up the ball, they turned fewer plays into points but made them count. Meanwhile Tampa Bay’s yard-heavy game was undermined by mistakes at key moments.
Offensive Player Stats Breakdown – QBs, Backfields, And Pass Catchers Who Defined The Game
Quarterback Performance
| Team / QB | C/ATT | Yards | TDs | INT | Sacks / Sack Yards | Yards per Attempt / Avg |
| Philadelphia – Jalen Hurts | 15 / 24 | 130 | 2 | 0 | 2-18 | 5.4 |
| Tampa Bay – Baker Mayfield | 22 / 40 | 289 | 2 | 1 | 2-17 | 7.2 |
Quick read: Hurts didn’t throw a lot, but he was sharp — zero interceptions and two touchdown passes. His average per throw was modest, but his decisions under pressure and red-zone execution made a difference. On the Bucs side Mayfield moved the ball well overall, but the sack pressure and one interception in the key moment hurt their comeback attempt.
Aside from passing:
- Hurts added 9 carries for 62 rushing yards, longest run 29 yards — showing he helped with the run game when needed.
That mix of passing and rushing kept defenses honest and helped the Eagles convert when it mattered.
Running Game And Backfield Usage
Philadelphia backfield and running breakdown:
- Saquon Barkley — 19 carries, 43 yards, 1 rushing TD.
- AJ Dillon — 3 carries, 17 yards.
- Hurts (as noted) — 9 carries, 62 yards.
Total rushing: 32 carries for 88 yards, 1 TD, average 2.8 yards per carry.
What it meant: The Eagles leaned partly on the run game to control pace and give their QB some room. Even though average per rush wasn’t huge, using both a running back and quarterback on the ground helped stretch the defense and open up play-action. Barkley’s rush helped finish a drive with a TD, which matters.
For Tampa Bay: their rushing total came to 104 yards on 26 attempts — solid but not dominant given their passing success.
That showed Bucs stuck more with passing to chase points, rather than relying on the run to control tempo.
Wide Receivers And Tight Ends – Who Won The Matchups
For Philadelphia, the passing output was low overall, so few players stood out by volume. But the two passing TDs show tight execution when in scoring range. According to the box score, Eagles receivers combined for 22 catches, 289 receiving yards, 2 TD, long catch 77 yards.
On Tampa Bay side: they had explosive success through air. Their two big passing TDs — a 77-yard and a 72-yard play — came from deep throws.
That suggests Bucs’ wideouts beat coverage downfield more than once, and forced Eagles defense to respect long routes.
Clutch / Key plays to highlight:
- Deep touchdown of 77 yards that cut the gap and kept the Bucs in game late.
- Another long TD of 72 yards — shows aggressiveness and explosive offense from Tampa Bay.
Because Philadelphia’s offense was more balanced (run + pass + QB runs + special teams), they didn’t need big explosive plays to score. Tampa Bay needed them — so their receivers were tested in pressuring situations, deep routes, and quick decisions.
Defensive And Special Teams Impact – The Hidden Player Stats Behind The Scoreline
Defense & Turnovers
- The defense for Philadelphia Eagles forced a key interception late in the game — Jihaad Campbell picked off a pass in the end zone. That play stopped a potential go-ahead drive by Tampa Bay Buccaneers and helped seal the 31-25 win.
- On the stat sheet, the Eagles recorded a total of 70 tackles, including 47 solo stops. They also logged 2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss (TFL), and 13 passes defended (PD).
- That kind of pressure and consistency limited Buccaneers’ big-play potential and forced critical mistakes — e.g. the interception under pressure rather than allowing a go-ahead score.
Why it mattered
The Bucs had gained 376 net yards overall, but the Eagles defense bent without breaking. By staying disciplined, winning tackles, getting pressure on the QB, and seizing a turnover at the right time, Philadelphia prevented yardage from turning into enough points. The interception in the red zone acted like a dagger — it erased a likely Buccaneers touchdown and flipped momentum.
Special Teams: Game-Changing Block and Return
- Right from the start, special teams delivered: Cameron Latu broke through Tampa Bay’s punt protection and blocked the punt. The ball bounced free and Sydney Brown scooped and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, giving Eagles an immediate 7-0 lead.
- That play set the tone. Instead of starting on offense, Eagles got points — putting pressure on the Bucs from the opening drive.
- On the Buccaneers’ side, their kicker Chase McLaughlin hit a 65-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. That’s a huge distance and a statement of field-goal strength, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
Why special teams swung it
That blocked punt return wasn’t just extra points — it changed field position, seared momentum, and gave Eagles an early boost that shaped how both teams played thereafter. Later, even though Bucs showed their kicking leg with the 65-yard FG, they still trailed. Special teams gave Philadelphia a lead they never fully surrendered.
Advanced Metrics And Deeper Analysis – Efficiency, Situational Stats, And Red-Zone Trends
Efficiency And Situational Performance
When you look beyond raw yards and touchdowns, a few metrics show how well a team executes under pressure or in critical spots.
Red-Zone Efficiency
Red-zone efficiency measures how well a team turns trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line into touchdowns rather than field goals or no score. In this game the Eagles scored two rushing/passing touchdowns and got a special-teams TD, so they made their red-zone (or near-zone) chances count. Meanwhile the Bucs did reach the red zone, but long TD drives on deep passes were required rather than steady shorter-field scoring — that shows lower red-zone dominance despite yardage.
Yards Per Play (YPP) and Success Rate
YPP measures how many yards a team gains on average every play. If a team generates high YPP, it shows efficiency — more “bang for each snap.” In this game the Bucs often had higher yards per play, especially through big passes, which translated to total yardage. But the Eagles, while less explosive in YPP, made each possession efficient enough when it mattered (scoring or flipping momentum).
Third-Down and Fourth-Down Conversions (Situational Stats)
Third-down conversions are critical because they keep drives alive. Teams that convert third downs often control tempo and sustain scoring chances. Even if we don’t have full public data on each third-down attempt from this game, we know the Eagles managed to convert enough drives — combining their balanced offense with special teams and defense — to build and preserve their lead.
These efficiency and situational stats help us see that success isn’t only about raw yardage, but about making plays count and avoiding wasted opportunities.
Pressure, Protection, And Coverage
A big part of NFL analytics now comes from looking at how well a team handles pressure — not just clean-suit numbers. Pressures, sacks, and QB performance under duress can shift games.
Pass Protection vs Pass Rush
In this game, both teams recorded sacks on the other’s QB — the Eagles sacked the Bucs quarterback twice; Bucs had two sacks on the Eagles QB as well. That balance suggests both offensive lines got tested. For the Eagles though, their QB’s ability to scramble and run helped relieve pressure and added a dual-threat dimension, which boosted their offensive efficiency even when passing lanes were tight.
Coverage and Defensive Discipline
While we lack full advanced coverage-stats like target depth or completion rate allowed, the fact that the Bucs needed explosive plays to score (long passing TDs) instead of steady short-to-medium yard gains shows the Eagles defense likely forced tight windows, limited conventional gains, and only gave up big plays when Bucs gambled deep.
Play Value Over “Looks Good” Plays
Modern analytics often use metrics like “Expected Points Added (EPA)” or “Success Rate” to gauge whether a play improved a team’s chance of scoring, not just raw yards or TDs. So an efficient run or short pass converting third-down might be more “valuable” than a long 30-yard play followed by a three-and-out. The Eagles seemed to get more high-value plays in sustained drives, even if their yardage totals looked modest compared to Bucs.
What This Deeper Analysis Reveals
- The Bucs gained more yards and moved the ball in bursts, but their reliance on explosive plays made their success volatile. Their yardage wasn’t always sustainable — when the Eagles defense contained the deep ball or generated pressure, the Bucs struggled.
- The Eagles, with balanced offense + QB mobility + special teams + defense, maximized every possession and avoided waste. Their efficiency in key situations (red-zone, third-down, pressure moments) outperformed what the raw box score suggested.
- Advanced-style evaluation shows that yardage isn’t everything. Consistency, situational execution, and minimizing risk often win close games — and in this matchup, that balance tipped in favor of the Eagles.
Historical Context – How This Eagles vs Buccaneers Stat Line Fits Into Recent Meetings
Over the years, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have met many times. As of 2025, the Bucs hold a narrow edge overall.
In their recent games:
- In the 2025 regular-season clash, the Eagles defeated the Buccaneers 31–25.
- In the 2024 meeting, Tampa Bay beat Philadelphia.
When you look back at their past head-to-head history since 1977, the Eagles lead slightly in rushing totals — 2,357 rushing yards versus Tampa Bay’s 1,895 over all those matchups.
Patterns and Trends
- Games between the two teams often swing back and forth: sometimes they favor a run-heavy approach, other times they turn into high-yardage, pass-heavy showdowns. The 2025 game leaned toward balance — a mix of special teams, run, rush-by-QB, and limited but efficient passing.
- Historically, the Eagles have managed slightly better on the ground in their matchups, giving them an edge when the weather or conditions called for grinding drives.
- In playoff history, the Bucs have had more success against the Eagles: among postseason meetings, Tampa Bay leads the series.
Does This Game Fit Or Break The Trend?
This 31–25 result shows a little of both continuity and departure. On one hand, it echoes the trend of balanced, tough games — not one team simply steamrolling the other — where running, defense, and special teams all matter. On the other hand, the mix of a blocked-punt return touchdown, a dual-threat QB, and modest rushing averages suggests a shift away from pure run-dominance toward a more hybrid, situationally adaptive style.
Fantasy Football And Betting Takeaways – What Player Stats Mean For DFS, Props, And Future Lines
Fantasy Winners, Busts, And Trend Watch
Jalen Hurts was a solid fantasy play. He threw two touchdowns and also ran for 62 yards. The rushing boost alone kept his floor high. That kind of dual-threat production always helps fantasy managers because the QB is scoring even when passing yardage is low.
Saquon Barkley found the end zone but his yardage was quiet. Nineteen carries for 43 yards is low for yards per carry, so his fantasy value came from scoring, not from volume efficiency. If his usage continues, he stays startable, but expectations should stay reasonable unless run-blocking improves.
The Buccaneers wideout group was more boom-or-bust. Two long touchdowns saved fantasy value and gave big DFS spikes, but outside of those big plays, volume was not steady. That makes Tampa Bay receivers risky. When they hit, they can win a week. When defenses keep them in front, they disappear.
Going forward, fantasy managers may see three trends:
- Hurts continues as a reliable weekly starter due to rushing.
- Barkley has touchdown upside but is yardage-dependent.
- Buccaneers receivers are best used in matchups where deep shots are likely.
Player Props And Betting Lessons
Hurts hitting two passing touchdowns would cash most TD prop bets. His rushing yard total would also beat common QB rush lines. Barkley scoring a rushing TD would also help touchdown prop bettors, though his yardage might fall short on over bets.
The most surprising outcome was the two explosive passing touchdowns from Tampa Bay. Those plays could cash yardage or long-reception props in a single snap. That kind of offense is risky for betting because value comes from low-volume, high-impact plays.
For bettors, two quick lessons stand out:
- Eagles are safer in props that reward balance: rushing yards for QB, rushing attempts for RB, short touchdowns.
- Bucs receivers and quarterback props will swing wildly because yardage often comes from chunk plays, not steady drives.
In future games, bettors may look at opponent defensive speed, not just total defense ranking, to judge whether Tampa Bay deep passes are likely to connect.
Conclusion
The numbers show a game shaped by balance, toughness, and one big special-teams play. Philadelphia didn’t win the yardage battle, but they made their plays count. Their offense used ground game, quarterback movement, and smart red-zone execution to finish drives. Tampa Bay gained more yards and hit explosive passes, but turnovers and missed chances kept them behind.
Looking at team stats, individual performances, and the deeper efficiency trends, you see a clear story: the Eagles were cleaner and sharper when it mattered. Their quarterback avoided mistakes, their run game protected possessions, and their defense held up in tight moments. The Buccaneers had firepower but not control. Big plays gave them life but couldn’t fix the structural gaps.
The numbers also point to both teams’ future identity. The Eagles can keep winning with a balanced plan that mixes run, quarterback mobility, and patient defense. Tampa Bay will live by the deep ball and high-reward throws, which can win games fast but also fail fast. For fantasy players and bettors, that difference is important: one team is predictable, the other can explode or collapse depending on matchup and game script.
Question And Answers
Q1. Which players delivered the best performance in Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats
Jalen Hurts stood out because he passed for two touchdowns and also had strong rushing yards. Tampa Bay wideouts delivered big plays, but overall team efficiency favored the Eagles.
Q2. Who had the most disappointing output in this match
Some Buccaneers players had high yardage but could not convert drives into touchdowns. For Philadelphia, rushing efficiency was low even though it helped control tempo.
Q3. How did defense affect the match outcome
A late interception and a blocked punt for a touchdown changed momentum. Defensive pressure slowed down scoring chances and forced mistakes.
Q4. Does this match help predict future fantasy value
Yes. Hurts remains a safe starter because of rushing. Buccaneers receivers are unpredictable but have high upside when deep passes work.
Q5. Is this match useful for betting decisions in upcoming games
It suggests that Philadelphia props around rushing or short touchdowns are safer. Tampa Bay props are high risk because scoring often depends on long plays.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available game data and is shared for general sports information, entertainment, and discussion. Statistics and insights are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing, but game results, player performances, and team trends can change over time. This content is not financial, betting, or professional advice. Please check updated sources or official platforms if you need the latest stats or verified data.
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