Prime Time Preview: Eagles vs. Buccaneers

As the evening sun dims on Monday night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles, both 2-0, will light up the field in one of the most anticipated matchups of the week. Here's a deeper look into what you can expect:

The Stakes:

• The Buccaneers are eyeing their fifth ever 3-0 start, a feat they haven't achieved since 2005. After notable victories over the Vikings and Bears, Tampa Bay is looking robust early in the season.

• The Eagles, last year's NFC champions, aren’t strangers to a winning start. A victory over the Bucs would mark their second consecutive 3-0 kickoff to a season, bolstered by recent wins against the Patriots and Vikings.

Kickoff Time: 7:15 p.m. ET.

Betting Odds:

• The Eagles are the five-point favorites, with an over/under set at 45 total points. For those keeping an eye on betting angles, Micah Roberts of SportsLine, with an impressive 16-6-1 record on picks involving Tampa Bay, is the analyst to follow.

Key Stats:

• Philadelphia's offense is soaring, ranking second in the NFL in rushing, boasting an average of 178.0 yards per game.

• Tampa Bay's defense is a force to reckon with, having forced five turnovers in their first two games, ranking them second in the NFL.

Players to Watch:

• Philadelphia: Running back D'Andre Swift recently dashed for a career-best 175 yards against the Vikings, the highest for an Eagle since LeSean McCoy in 2013.

• Tampa Bay: Baker Mayfield, who stepped into the massive shoes left by Tom Brady's retirement, has been impressive, ranking fifth in the NFL in passer rating.

Trending Factors:

• Philadelphia's defense has proven to be a ball-hawking unit, forcing six turnovers so far, putting them just behind the Cowboys in the league rankings.

• On the flip side, Philadelphia's pass defense showed vulnerabilities against the Vikings, something Mayfield might look to exploit.

Final Thoughts: While the Eagles are favored by -5 points, this game is bound to be closely contested, with both teams showing strength in different areas. For bettors, while Roberts leans towards the Under on the total points, he hints at a critical X-factor determining the game's outcome. To get the full insight, a trip to SportsLine might be in order.

Prediction: Eagles win 31-14

Bet to Take: Eagles -5