The 2025 season continues to get better and better. Another week deep and the Eagles are once again (for the third time) playing a team without a loss. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-0, winners of three games in the final minute of each, a playoff team a year ago, and one that believes it has the goods to make a deep postseason run ahead.

In Tampa for yet another season (this is the sixth time in five seasons the teams will meet, with four of those games at Raymond James Stadium), the Eagles know they have to bring their "A" game to defeat the Bucs.

There is so much to love about this matchup, so let's dig into the storylines for Sunday and Tampa, where the temperatures will be high as will the energy from Eagles fans taking over in the stands …

1. How do the Eagles attack Tampa Bay's defense?

We know that Tampa Bay likes to blitz – the Bucs have a blitz rate of nearly 40 percent this season, a top-6 number in the NFL. The Bucs have blitzed quarterback Jalen Hurts on more than 40 percent of his dropbacks in their previous meetings. Tampa Bay brings it, and behind that does an excellent job of disguising coverages and playing tough defense.

The blitz game is gaining all the attention, but the fact is that Tampa Bay has one of the best defenses in the league.

Period. Full stop.

"He's got every different coverage in the book. They do a great job of disguising every different blitz, so we've got to make sure our communication, our points, everything we do, is on the same page," tight end Dallas Goedert said. "It comes down to being on the same page and that's really what we've been working on all week."

But Tampa Bay is not a one-trick pony on defense. The Bucs allow just 3.6 yards per rushing attempt, a good number. They are big and stout up front and have not allowed any team to reach the 100-yard rushing mark in a game in 11 straight outings and not a single running back has gained 50 yards in a game this season against Tampa Bay.

2. Some early scoring would mean a lot here

Very important number here: In the five previous games here since Head Coach Nick Sirianni and Hurts have been together, the Eagles have scored a total of 10 points in the first quarter, while the Bucs have scored a total of 52 points. Starting in a hole against this kind of defense that will attack, attack, and then, with a lead, attack even more because the offense is leaning in a one-dimensional way, is dangerous.

In the three games this season, the Eagles have scored seven points each time. That is very encouraging. We've seen in the past the Eagles' offense look for more traction in the early action, but 2025 has been a fertile offensive ground on the scoreboard in the first quarter. Let's keep it going here, because the Eagles with a lead – like with every team – are in a far more favorable position to win.

3. Both teams have "next-man-up" scenarios

This just means that both teams have some injuries coming into the game. Philadelphia won't have edge standout Nolan Smith, but Sirianni and the players have talked all week about the depth at that position. We will see how they decide to spread out the snaps but they have a lot of options with Jalyx Hunt, Za'Darius Smith, Joshua Uche, Patrick Johnson, Azeez Ojulari, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. They'll look to that group to set the edge against the running game and get after the quarterback here. Cornerback is another area to watch with Jakorian Bennett on Injured Reserve and with Adoree' Jackson working through a groin injury. There are a variety of other players who are bumped up and bruised and, hey, that's the way it works in the NFL. Every roster spot matters. Every player is here for a reason.

4. QB Baker Mayfield and the challenge he presents

Speaking of Mayfield, he's one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL right now and the Eagles know they have a lot to handle here. He's really good, with 6 touchdown passes and zero interceptions this season. Playing with a makeshift offensive line that returns All-Pro Tristan Wirfs for this game after he missed the opening three, Mayfield has only been sacked six times. He moves well and he keeps plays alive.

"We have to be disciplined. No open lanes. Rush together," defensive end Za'Darius Smith said. "Get up on him so he can't see. We can't let him break the pocket."

Tampa Bay won't have WR1 Mike Evans and may not have Chris Godwin who is coming back from an ankle injury, but the Bucs find ways. They use their tight ends. They use their backs. They run the ball aggressively.

The defense is going to be tested in a lot of ways here.

5. It's hot, so what kind of impact will that have?

The team arrived in Tampa on Friday night and will practice on Saturday in the heat of Florida, trying to better acclimate to the searing temperatures expected on Sunday. Philadelphia practiced in temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s all week and we aren't that far from the hotter days of August, so ...

What does it all mean? The Eagles have been hydrating and they have been preparing. So we will see. The Eagles need to play a great football game and prepare for a physical battle and all that it entails. Both teams are playing in the heat. May the team that plays best on Sunday win.

6. At the end of the day, it's football, right?

Broken record alert: The things that matter, matter. And they are …

• The turnover battle. The Eagles stress this every single day of the year. Protect the football on offense. Take the football away on defense. Always important.

• Philadelphia's performance in the red zone has been so important this year with eight touchdowns in eight offensive trips and with a defense that took the football away against Dallas and Kansas City and then held the Rams to a 1-for-4 afternoon last Sunday.

• Penalties. Tampa Bay ranks 30th in the NFL, with 76.3 yards per game of penalties to date.

• Adjustments. So much of the game comes down to in-action adjustments and the Eagles are as good as any team in the league in this department.

• Special teams. We saw it last week, right? Enough said.