The meeting between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have been with a bit more playoff implications to it, but there’s still plenty to focus on, like DeSean Jackson facing Darrelle Revis, as the wide receiver is warming things up by challenging the popular pick for best cornerback in the game to stop him.
The Bucs are coming off a bye week but have been in the headlines to due to the quarterback coup performed by Greg Schiano, kicking Josh Freeman off the team and giving Mike Glennon the chance he didn’t think he’d get this early in his career.
The Eagles won for the first time since the opening week, although beating the Giants isn’t such a difficult thing to do these days. Jackson caught 7 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, his best performance of the season, giving him plenty of confidence going in to play the win-less Buccaneers.
I’m sure Revis will follow me around. He followed me around when he was with the New York Jets two years ago. I’m sure his coaches are confident in him. But I don’t think he can run with me. I don’t think he’s as fast as me. He was like, ‘You’re too fast, slow down.’ I’m just going to try to put my speed on him and stress on him as I can. I’ve got to do what I need to.
You’re always aware of who’s one of the best corners, and vice versa. He’s aware of who are the fastest receivers. He’s a great player. I don’t want to take away from him. He has elusiveness, he’s smart, he has intelligence, he has feet work. He’s one of those guys, he knows what he’s doing. He’s comfortable and he’s confident playing press or playing off the ball.
Jackson is 4th in the NFL among receivers with 525 receptions yards so far, and his 18.8 yards per reception is 5th best overall, but the highest among receivers with 28 catches or more. He is 10th in the league with 168 yards after carry, averaging 33.6 per game.
Revis and the Bucs are 0-4, but that’s mostly been an offensive mess. The Bucs are 4th in the NFL in total defense, allowing 332.3 yards per game, allowing only 238 yards per game through the air, keeping quarterbacks at a 74.7 passer rating and so far picking up six interceptions, scoring one touchdown off of them. Revis has one interceptions this season, along with 4 batted down passes and one forced fumble.
We’re not going to make it into a one-on-one battle. This isn’t me and Revis, it’s Eagles against Tampa Bay. As long as we’re winning at the end, that’s all that matters to me.
Jackson talks about both team and individual, but it’s clear that he’s trying to make this about himself and Revis. In all likelihood, we’ll see the Eagles return to more running against a secondary that’s very hard to throw against, although it probably will have a lot to do if Nick Foles or Michael Vick start at quarterback.
Jackson faced Revis once in his career – a 2011 game which the Eagles won 45-19 against the New York Jets. Jackson was limited to only two catches and 28 yards.