Week 3 action in the National Football League sees the Philadelphia Eagles visiting Raymond James Stadium to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Undoubtedly one of the matches of the footballing weekend.

Two unbeaten sides, and though it’s incredibly early days, it’s hard not to be thinking what might lie ahead, in terms of hopes for the season.

Kick-off is Tuesday 26th Sept, @ 00.15 UK.

Team news

The Eagles have issued warnings about DeVonta Smith, Josh Sweat, Jordan Davis, Zach Cunningham, Jack Stoll, and Boston Scott, but they remain hopeful as to their availability. Quez Watkins is more of a doubt. Reed Blankenship is in line to return after missing last week.

Terrell Edmunds is another under a cloud, illness this time. A late check on the walking Eagles’ wounded is highly recommended.

As for Tampa, their website advises that Devin White (groin) and Cody Mauch (back) were noted as limited participants in Friday’s practice session. In addition, SirVocea Dennis (hamstring) and Calijah Kancey (calf) were non-participants entirely.

Eagles -4.5 @ 20/21

NFC royalty meet here – and post-Brady (well, post their Super Bowl season) my feeling is that TB are a level below that of the Eagles. Famous last words, I hear you cry!

It’s a game of opinions, and while for me the Eagles will be itching to get back to try and win the big one, Tampa will be hoping rather than expecting their season to head in the direction of Super Bowl LVIII in Nevada.

Both teams are 2-0, and while Bucs’ QB Mayfield and his weapons Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have excelled thus far, they haven’t met anyone of the Eagles’ calibre yet.

Philly have achieved their perfect start without impressing me – which is, in its way, quite impressive. That old cliché – win while you’re not at your very best, and then when you really do click – whoosh! I’m seeing them covering here, and in style.

Eagles win by over 12 points @ 14/5

D’Andre Swift joined the Eagles from Detroit earlier this year and has made a very important ball-carrying contribution this far. He could again be crucial at Raymond James. Smith, if available, and AJ Brown are top-quality receiving outlets for star QB Jalen Hurts, who will be scampering with the rock himself to dangerous effect no doubt, as per.

Hurts is a shade odds-on to score a TD at some point – astonishing, really.  To give a bit of context, a vaguely comparable example like Pat Mahomes of the Chiefs is a 12/5 shot to do just that in their match at home to the Bears.

So – I’m expecting the Eagles, even on the road, to put their Conference rivals in their place. Despite being knocked around a bit the Eagles’ D has depth, if cover is needed. Hurts can stretch his legs; Swift, too. Can I see the Eagles being 2 TDs or more superior to their rivals? In a word, …

Tampa can stay in the game, but later in the piece Philly might just show their hand. Cracking game in prospect, this, and it might come late in the weekend schedules but will be well worth waiting for.