Bucs vs. Eagles Preview: Can Baker Mayfield Bounce Back?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) host the Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) on Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.

The last time these two teams played, the Bucs walloped the Eagles 32-9 in the Wild Card round of the playoffs last year; capping off Philadelphia’s late-season collapse and sending them home for the winter.

The biggest question for the Bucs is how they will slow the Eagles' defensive front and protect Baker Mayfield. The Bucs quarterback was under pressure the whole game last week, taking 7 sacks in a 26-7 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Can Mayfield bounce back? In the first two games of the season, the former No. 1 overall pick was playing at an MVP level beating the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions. The offensive line has battled through injuries but has to be better against the very strong defensive front of the Eagles.

Defensively, the Bucs will be facing an injury-plagued offense as the Eagles will likely be without receiver A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. With their two best receivers, the Eagles will like call a steady dose of runs from Saquon Barkley.

Related: What's Bowles' RB Depth Chart Plan vs. Eagles?

Barkley leads the league in rushing with 351 yards on the ground with four touchdowns, and another receiving. The former Penn State standout has changed the offensive dynamic in Philadelphia to a more run-centric game.

The Tampa Bay defense could struggle to stop the run as it is missing big Vita Vea in the middle of its defensive line and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. on the back end.

This should be a closely contested game as both teams battle through injuries early in the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.