Vic Fangio cannot ever leave here.

He continually guides the Eagles’ defense to success. Even when things are looking bleak and the unit isn’t completely having a great game, his defense just always seems to come through. 

And, boy, did the Eagles really need that in the second half Sunday of their 31–25 victory over the previously undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The bright spot? 

It was the Eagles’ 20th win in their last 21 games. Their last loss was last season to the Washington Commanders, when Jalen Hurts left in the first half. Hurts is now 18-0 in his last 18 starts.

Despite some imperfections this season, the Eagles improved to 4-0 for the third time in the Nick Sirianni era.

The negative?

The offense had just 19 yards in the second half Sunday, not counting the last drive when Braden Mann ran back 34 yards and out of the end zone for an intentional safety. The Eagles had three three-and-outs and punted on six second-half drives.

That’s unacceptable, especially on the road. They gave the Buccaneers unnecessary momentum. 

It was not like that in the first half, and Kevin Patullo and his offense were lucky Fangio’s unit bailed them out, and more than once. I thought the offense found its groove after the way last week ended and this game began.

Maybe it was the heat? But both teams dealt with the same conditions. So, we might be back to blaming the play calls and Patullo, because there’s too much talent on this offense to have a second half like Sunday.

But again, thank you Fangio and the defense. 

Just when Tampa Bay found some sort of momentum in the third quarter, the defense stepped up.

Rookie Emeka Egbuka caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to cut the Eagles’ lead to 24-13.

Tampa Bay then forced a punt and had a chance to inch even closer, but on the ensuing drive, Jihaad Campbell forced a Bucky Irving fumble and Keele Ringo, filling in for injuries, recovered the loose ball.

That was one of the major turning points in the Eagles’ win.

That led to a great play call — a fake brotherly shove on third-and-1 (which we all expected in that situation and even threw me off), resulting in Saquon Barkley 6-yard TD to make it 31-13. Where were calls like that late in the game? That was such an amazing design.

The defense also made a great stand on Tampa Bay’s first drive on the third quarter, stopping the Buccaneers on fourth-and-3 at the Eagles’ 33

Still, Fangio’s unit wasn’t perfect.

Tampa Bay responded with a 72-yard TD pass to Irving to cut its deficit to 31-20. After the Buccaneers defense forced another punt, they got into field goal range and cut the Eagles’ lead to 31-23.

The Eagles’ offense again failed to move the ball and punted, and the Buccaneers marched to Philly’s 11 with 7 minutes, 54 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter with the chance to possibly tie the game. 

Tampa Bay was moving the ball with ease in the second half, but Fangio’s defense never ceases to amaze, even in 90-plus degree heat and having to constantly be on the field.

Campbell made an interception in the end zone 7:48 left, taking away the Buccaneers’ chance to potentially tie the game.

Another massive turning point.

Still, the second-half and seemingly lifeless offense again punted. It was their second three-and-out in a row, and failing to capitalize on that turnover could have haunted them.

Was there a need to panic? Absolutely!

But the defense shined again when they needed to make a play as Moro Ojomo made an incredible sack with 1:56 left in the game to put Mayfield and the Buccaneers in a third-and-21 situation.

That was essentially the game. 

Eagles’ fans can thank the defense and Cameron Latu’s blocked punt earlier in the game, which Sydney Brown returned for 36 yards to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead, as major reasons the Eagles won this game. 

But let’s not take away from the first-half offense, which was great. 

Hurts rushed for 28 yards to set up first-and-goal, leading to his 2-yard TD pass to Dallas Goedert to extend the lead to 14-0

Hurts had a big 20-yard pass to DeVonta Smith, setting up Goedert’s 5-yard TD pass to make the score 21-3.

I’m not taking anything away from the players. The Eagles have a fantastic offense. 

It’s the play calls.

Patullo is not putting them in good situations. Some calls made no sense, like screens or runs up the middle on third-and-long. It’s been that way all season.

I’m upset with the play calls, not the players.  

It needs to improve, and fast. 

Still, Sunday’s win felt good overall.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had defeated the Eagles in six of their last seven meetings, including in the 2022 and 2024 NFC Wild Card games.

It was great to get a win against Tampa Bay.

Now, the Eagles just need to get ready for the Denver Broncos.