<
>

Buccaneers preparing to face inconsistent Eagles

TAMPA, Fla. -- Here are 10 things to know about the Philadelphia Eagles (4-5), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' opponent Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field:

1. The Eagles might be without Sam Bradford. The quarterback suffered a concussion and a sprained left shoulder in a loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. On Monday, coach Chip Kelly said, "I feel very confident in Mark Sanchez," but he declined to comment on Bradford's condition. If Bradford can't go, the Bucs will face a backup quarterback for the second consecutive game, having already faced Dallas' Matt Cassel. Sanchez threw for 156 yards with one interception in his season debut after replacing Bradford.

2. DeMarco Murray's production is way down. He has 451 rushing yards and four touchdowns this year, a large drop from his 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns through eight games for Dallas last season. He is averaging just 16 carries per game, down from 25.6 during the first half of 2014.

3. This could become Kelly's worst year in Philadelphia. If the Bucs win, the Eagles will match their loss total from each of the past two seasons under Kelly. Unlike previous years with Kelly, Philadelphia has had trouble producing a winning streak; the Eagles haven't won more than two straight this season.

4. Philadelphia has done a decent job of limiting opponents' point totals. The Eagles are tied for ninth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 20.4 points per game. Still, they've dropped some close ones: a two-point loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, a three-point loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 4 and a one-point loss to the Dolphins.

5. The Eagles are a threat to intercept the ball. They rank fifth in the NFL with 12 picks. Safety Walter Thurmond leads the team with three. Philadelphia is tied for third in the league with two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown nine interceptions, including two last weekend.

6. They can force fumbles. They're tied for fifth in the NFL with 13, with linebacker Brandon Graham, defensive end Fletcher Cox and safety Malcolm Jenkins causing three each. Philadelphia has recovered eight loose balls.

7. Their five losses haven't put them out of the NFC East race. They're tied for second with the Redskins, and they trail the division-leading New York Giants by just half a game. Philadelphia is 2-2 against the NFC East this season. Games against the Redskins in Week 16 and Giants in Week 17 might loom large.

8. Jordan Matthews is the Eagles' top receiving threat. He had 552 yards and two touchdowns on 51 catches this season. His best game came in a Week 9 win over the Cowboys, when he had 133 yards and one touchdown on nine catches. His only other outing this year with at least 100 yards was the season opener.

9. The Eagles hold a winning streak against the Bucs. Philadelphia has won three consecutive games against Tampa Bay, with the Bucs' most recent victory in the series happening in Week 7 of the 2006 season at Tampa. The Bucs' last victory in Philadelphia occurred in Week 1 of the 2003 season.

10. They are putting the NFC South behind them. Their matchup with the Bucs is their last against the division this season. Philadelphia's lone victory against the NFC South came over the New Orleans Saints in Week 5.