The Philadelphia Eagles face a tough task as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with their linebackers and safeties facing an uphill battle in coverage and their run defense being put to the test.

The Eagles' linebackers have had difficulties in coverage throughout the season, and this vulnerability could be exploited by the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay possesses a formidable weapon in running back Rachaad White, who has excelled in the passing game. White ranked fourth among all NFL running backs in receptions, hauling in an impressive 64 catches. Moreover, he has demonstrated a remarkable catch rate, converting 89.1% of his targets into receptions over his two seasons in the league. Although many of these receptions are short, White's ability to elude defenders in open space adds another layer of danger.

In addition to the linebacker struggles, the Eagles' safeties also face challenges. With Sydney Brown ruled out for the season and Reed Blankenship nursing a groin injury, there is a chance that the Eagles will rely on Kevin Byard and Tristin McCollum as starters in the defensive backfield. This potential shakeup in personnel could further weaken the team's ability to contain the Buccaneers' passing attack.

The Bucs' tight end, Cade Otton, could also pose significant problems for the Eagles' defense. Otton, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft, has shown promise in the passing game, with six receptions of 20 or more yards in his last nine games. To put this into perspective, Philadelphia's Dallas Goedert has only managed six such catches throughout the entire season. Given the Eagles' struggles in coverage, Otton could exploit the matchup and make an impact in the passing game.

Furthermore, the Eagles' once-stout run defense has faltered in recent weeks. In the first nine games of the season, Philadelphia held its opponents to under 100 rushing yards in eight of them, boasting the best rushing defense in the NFL, allowing an average of just 66.7 yards per game. However, in their last eight games, the Eagles have allowed at least 100 rushing yards to each opponent, resulting in an alarming average of 145.1 rushing yards surrendered per game. This recent decline in run defense leaves the Eagles vulnerable against the Buccaneers' rushing attack.

As the Eagles prepare to face the Buccaneers, their defensive unit will need to address their struggles in coverage and reignite their run defense to stand any chance of slowing down the potent Tampa Bay offense. Otherwise, the Bucs could take advantage of these weaknesses and dictate the outcome of the game on both the ground and through the air.