The Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) boarded an early flight on Friday, September 26, 2025, heading to Tampa Bay, Florida, to prepare for their crucial Week 4 NFL showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Having lost three of their last four games in Tampa, the Eagles are not only adjusting their travel schedule but also revealing a surprise strategy to turn the tide after last season’s crushing defeat.
Breaking from their usual Saturday travel routine, head coach Nick Sirianni opted to fly the team to Tampa a day early to acclimate to the extreme heat and humidity (forecasted to feel like over 100°F on game day). According to NBC Sports Philadelphia reporter John Clark, the Eagles will hold a light walkthrough practice on Saturday to fine-tune tactics and ensure player readiness. “We’ve learned from past losses. Tampa is always a tough challenge, but we have a different plan this time,” Sirianni hinted.
Last season, the Eagles suffered a 25-11 loss to the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Playoff round (January 2024) at Raymond James Stadium. The oppressive weather and a lackluster defensive performance were key factors in their defeat. Determined to avoid a repeat, the Eagles are leaving no stone unturned in their preparation.
Team sources reveal that the Eagles will deploy a new strategy, leveraging recent signee Za’Darius Smith (DE, signed on September 26, 2025) to ramp up pressure on Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield. Smith, a seasoned veteran from the Browns and Lions, is expected to disrupt Tampa’s high-flying offense, which remains undefeated through three games.
Additionally, the Eagles plan to switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment in key situations, moving away from their usual 4-3 setup, to counter the versatile running game of RB Rachaad White and Mayfield’s short-pass efficiency. “We’ve studied Tampa’s game plan closely. They’re strong, but we have a few surprises in store,” defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon shared. Newly signed players like Marcus Epps (S) and Parry Nickerson (CB), added on September 24, 2025, are also ready to bolster the secondary if called upon.
On offense, led by QB Jalen Hurts, the Eagles will emphasize deep passes to exploit weaknesses in Tampa’s secondary, with support from WR Quez Watkins (recently re-signed to the practice squad). This approach aims to stretch the Buccaneers’ defense, creating openings for RB Saquon Barkley to break through.
With a 3-0 record and the lead in the NFC East, the Eagles are confident yet cautious. This matchup is not just a clash of two undefeated teams but also a chance for Philadelphia to break their “Tampa curse,” having lost three of their last four games at Raymond James Stadium. “We’re here to win. Everything is in place,” team captain Lane Johnson declared.
The Eagles vs. Buccaneers game kicks off at 1:00 PM ET and will be broadcast live on FOX. Fans are eagerly awaiting whether the Eagles can soar with their new strategy and finally conquer Tampa Bay. Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying showdown!
