One of the most intriguing rivalries in sports returns to center stage. Tom Brady vs the NFC East.
Playoff record since 2017 for each team:
- PHI: 4-2 (3 appearances)
- TB: 4-0 (1 appearance)
Bruce Arians’ playoff history: 5-2
- Has only been head coach at home for 1 playoff game (with ARZ, 26-20 win against GB in 2016 NFC Divisional Round)
There has only been one instance of a first year HC matching up with Tom Brady in the postseason
- Brady led his Patriots to a win over Eric Mangini and NY Jets by a score of 37-16 in the 2007 AFC Wild Card
- Nick Sirriani looks to be the first Eagles HC since Ray Rhodes in 1995 to win a playoff game in his first season
Philly rushing vs TB rushing defense
Strength meets strength for this game, as the number 1 rushing offense in the NFL meets the number 3 rushing defense
| PHI (offense) | TB (defense) | |
| Rushing yards per game | 159.7 | 92.5 |
| Rushing first downs | 163 | 94 |
| Rushing TD’s | 25 | 11 |
| Yards per attempt | 4.9 | 4.3 |
* Miles Sanders expected to play in this contest for PHI (missed 5 games in regular season)
Eagles D-Line lives up to reputation as strong and physical unit
| Sacks | TFL | Forced fumbles | QB hits | |
| Javon Hargrave | 7.5 | 9 | 1 | 18 |
| Fletcher Cox | 3.5 | 7 | 2 | 12 |
| Josh Sweat | 7.5 | 7 | 1 | 13 |
| Derek Barnett | 2.0 | 7 | 0 | 11 |
Rob Gronkowski has turned back the clock in 2021
We have seen a return to form for one of the all time great TE’s in Rob Gronkowski’s second season with the Bucs.
- 802 receiving yards
- 14.6 yards per catch
- 3 games with 2+ touchdowns
- 3 100+ yard games (had two of those three in the last two weeks)
Darius Slay’s impact on Eagles
- 3 interceptions
- 2 recovered fumbles
- 3 touchdowns
- Allowing a 74.4 passer rating when targeted
Jalen Hurts compared to Tom Brady in 2021
| Jalen Hurts | Tom Brady | |
| Passing yards | 3144 | 5316 |
| Passing TD’s | 16 | 43 |
| Interceptions | 9 | 12 |
| Games with 3+ total touchdowns | 4 | 9 |
Tom Brady’s career postseason numbers
We all know by now how good this man is when he enters the arena. These numbers are just here for a reminder.
- 34-11 record (20-4 at home)
- 62.7 completion percentage
- 12,499 passing yards
- 90 touchdowns
- 14 game winning drives
- And of course, 7 Super Bowl trophies with 5 Super Bowl MVP’s
Who will walk out of Tampa Bay victorious? Let me know on Twitter @James_Costanz.
