With their backs up against the wall on Sunday the Birds were able to push themselves back into their game against the Carolina Panthers and steal a victory. They likely want to avoid the same scenario this week, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a much stronger opponent and would likely keep the pedal to the metal if they get an early lead. The following five players will be key to keeping the Birds close in their Week 6 matchup against the reigning Super Bowl Champions:

Jalen Hurts

There’s no question the Buccaneers offense is going to point up points at the Linc, so that means that Hurts will have to keep pace and lead the offense on quite a few scoring drives to keep the Birds in the game. The Bucs are thin at cornerback, so maybe DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins can have big games. Hurts also needs to build more chemistry with his tight ends, speaking of which…

Zach Ertz

With Dallas Goedert likely out, Ertz will probably play close to 100% of the snaps. Lavonte David is out for the Buccaneers, so the middle of the field could be a little more open for #86.

Alex Singleton and Eric Wilson

Tom Brady has been on fire to start the 2021 season, so it’s not idea that the Eagles have subpar linebackers to try to contain #12. Brady has made a living off of carving linebackers in his career, so fans just have to pray that these two will have miraculous games.

Avonte Maddox

The only reason the Eagles even had a chance of making a comeback against the Panthers was because of Maddox’s heroic play to prevent a long touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Robby Anderson. If the play connected it would have been a 17-3 game and probably would have sucked the life out of the Eagles. Darius Slay and Steven Nelson will have their hands full. With three star receivers in the Bucs lineup (Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin) that means that Maddox will likely have to cover one of those three on every snap he plays.