Defense and a strong dose of Duce Staley proved to be too much for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Duce finished the day with 152 yards rushing on 24 carries. That is a 6.3 yards/carry average. Donovan McNabb rushed only 6 times for 4 yards total, but he scored the game-clinching touchdown with 8:18 remaining in the game. The final nail in the Bucs coffin happened with under 2 minutes left when Staley broke his longest run of the day. It went for 57 yards down to the Bucs 11 yard line. Two kneeldowns later and the teams were shaking hands. While Tampa is still a reapectible 5-2, they are 2-2 in the conference, while the Eagles are now 4-2 overall, but 3-0 in the NFC. Only Green Bay, New Orleans and San Francisco seem to be a barrier for the Eagles' dream of winning home-field advantage. The Eagles host the 3-3 New York Giants next week on Monday Night Football. It will also mark the the very last time that "MNF" will be at the Vet. After the Giants, the Eagles have some very winable games against Chicago, Indianapolis and Arizona before their next real opponent, the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles are very capable of finishing the season at 12-4 or better. If the Philadelphia Eagles do host the NFC Championship game, it will be one great way to close out the Vet.

Philly outgained the Bucs 269 to 207 in total yardage. On the ground, the Eagles managed 159 yards, while the Eagles defense held Tampa to only 81 yards rushing all game long. Donovan McNabb did not pass for great numbers as he finished the game completing 12 passes for 127 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. The game started out pretty rocky too as he was sacked by his old high school pal, Simeon Rice. On the play, McNabb fumbled and Derrick Brooks picked up the ball and scampered into the endzone for his 4th defensive touchdown of the year. On the next play, McNabb was intercepted by Brian Kelly, but Tampa was unable to do anything with ball. All game long, the Eagles defense ransacked the Bucs offense. It was old-time NFC East smashmouth football. It was the Bucs #1 NFL defense against the Eagles #2 NFL defense. But in the end, the Philadelphia Eagles made more plays with special teams leading the way with grabbing excellent field position led by Brian Mitchell.

Before and during the game, the Bucs were trash-talking Brian Mitchell. They called him old, dinosaur and retired. In the end, it was Mitchell who laughed last. He ran back 12 punts and 61 yards, while keeping Philly beyond their 20-yard line 9 times out of 12. On the other hand, Eagles punter Sean Landetta had a great day with Tampa starting inside their own 20-yard line 7 out of 12 times. Seven of the Eagles possessions started outside the 36 yard line. Mitchell also ran back 3 kickoffs for 83 yards. Late in the second quarter, Mitchell ran back a punt 29 yards to the Bucs 45 yard line. Two plays later, Donovan McNabb connected for 42 yard touchdown pass with Todd Pinkston. That also gave the Eagles a 10-7 lead at the half. On defense, the Eagles sacked Brad Johnson 4 times, but hit him another dozen or so times. Half way through the 4th quarter, Brad Johnson left the game with what was later described as cracked ribs. The other Johnson, Rob did not fair any better. Both Johnson's combined for a total of 155 yards passing. Tampa managed one redzone possession and ended up with a missed field goal.

It was a big win for the Eagles and very devastating loss for Tampa Bay. They have now lost 4 straight games versus the Birds, including two playoff losses at the Vet in 2 consecutive years. If Tampa Bay has any aspirations on travelling to San Diego, it appears their road will go through Philadlephia in late January. The average temperature in January is usually around 25 degrees. As we all know, Tampa is an all-time 0-20 when the temperature is below 40, let alone 25. The Eagles on the other hand, could very well end up 13-3 if they don't suffer any significant injuries and keep winning the games they are supposed to win. Next week will be another stiff defensive battle as the NFL's #2 & #3 ranked defenses will square off. The Eagles are only 8 yards from being the #1 overall defense. They also rank as the NFL #7 in total offense. It should be fun for Donovan and company on Monday. McNabb is undefeated in primetime games. The Eagles are also an all-time 5-1 against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. One other note, the Eagles and Giants have not split their yearly series since 1990.