Watch: Eagles’ Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell cut the Buccaneers lead

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) makes the catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White (45) during the first quarter Sunday, January 16, 2022 at at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Third down, 8:55 left in the first. Read more

It could be too late, but Eagles running backs Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell have scored touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the Buccaneers’ lead to 31-15.

Scott scored on a 34-yard run with 12:08 left.

Gainwell had a 16-yard touchdown catch with 4:45 left, and the Eagles made it a two-possession game with DeVonta Smith catching a pass for the two-point conversion.

Philadelphia Eagles Free Agents 2022: Derek Barnett, Boston Scott, and Anthony Harris head underwhelming group

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Who are the Philadelphia Eagles’ free agents in 2022? Which of them will be high-priority for the Eagles to retain next season, and will any of them be set to earn big money on the free-agent market in the 2022 offseason?

Heading into the offseason, be sure to check out the top 2022 free agents at each position in the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles 2022 Free Agents

When you glance across the Eagles’ roster, there are several intriguing names. However, the majority of those players are under contract for the 2022 season. In general, the Eagles’ free agents for 2022 appear to be somewhat underwhelming. Yes, there are some important contributors, but are any of them a priority for the Eagles to retain?

All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.

Top Eagles offensive free agents

The situation regarding free agents for the Eagles on the offensive side of the ball in 2022 is not all that enticing. They have just two unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents on that side of the ball. Of those, none of them have played more than 50% of the snaps on offense this season.

Jordan Howard and Boston Scott (RFA) | RB

The fact that Jordan Howard and Boston Scott are the Eagles’ top free agents on offense is extremely telling. Both players aren’t a bad option at the position, but with Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell on the roster, neither should be priorities to retain at this point. Simultaneously, it wouldn’t be surprising to see both of them back in Philadelphia next season.

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The market for Howard or Scott is not likely to be that big. Both are contributors, but neither is a game-breaking option. Scott might get some interest after a 7-touchdown season, but he has just 992 career rushing yards and 499 receiving yards. Someone might be willing to throw him some guaranteed money in Year 1 to be a secondary option, but a big payday seems unlikely. As for Howard, we know what he is at this point — a part-time contributor best used as part of a committee.

Top Eagles defensive free agents

Some intriguing names on the Eagles’ roster are set to be available this offseason. However, when you dig deeper into their numbers and the tape, there are enough concerns that mean most of them will not be high-priority free agents for either the Eagles or other teams around the league.

Derek Barnett | EDGE

Judging this season for Derek Barnett is tough to do. On the one hand, his 2.0 sacks are a career-low mark, and his 11 QB hits are tied for the worst of his career. However, he has contributed more in terms of tackles with a career-high 46 combined tackles. The issue is that as a pass rusher, his value will largely be judged on his ability to get to the QB and force fumbles.

It is tough to see how the Eagles bring Barnett back without him testing free agency. His value on the field is not high enough to warrant a high-value, long-term extension. Meanwhile, he is not likely to be satisfied with just a one or two-year extension. Much like Scott or Howard, he could be back in Philadelphia in 2022 after testing what the open market holds.

Steven Nelson | CB

It has been a tough season with the Eagles for Steven Nelson. While he started 16 games and played 92% of the snaps, his stats against the pass are not all that pretty. Nelson allowed a 108.4 passer rating against, with 5 touchdowns given up. Those numbers are a concern for a player who could not command more than a one-year deal last offseason.

Nelson is going to struggle to make a serious dent in the CB market this offseason. Some premier options are available, such as J.C. Jackson, and Nelson likely sits in the third tier at the position. He could be looking at another one-year deal to prove he is a reliable option for a team. That could propel him back to Philly, who appear to have valued him this season.

Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod | S

Elsewhere in the defensive backfield, Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod could command some serious attention as free agents this offseason. After a tough season to wind out his career in Minnesota in 2020, Harris has bounced back with a passer rating allowed of just 68.7 and a 2.7% missed tackle rate. He should be far more in demand this offseason than last year.

McLeod has had a slightly more mixed year, but he could still garner significant interest in the free-agent market. His 2 interceptions and 69.8 passer rating allowed will make him a potential free agent the Eagles consider keeping around in 2022. There is a decent chance the Eagles might keep one of them around, but with both of them past 30, it will be intriguing to see who they choose.

Alex Singleton (RFA) | LB

Alex Singleton responded to his breakout 2020 season with a 137-tackle season for Philadelphia. He has established himself as a solid tackling linebacker in the last two years. However, his value as a free agent in 2022 (if he does leave the Eagles) is blemished by his performance against the pass.

In 2021, Singleton allowed 5 passing touchdowns and an 85.1% completion rate against. In each of the past two seasons, he has allowed a passer rating over 100, which will prevent teams from offering him a big contract this offseason. Singleton is likely best suited as a two-down inside linebacker, but the value of that type of player is not usually that high.

The Eagles’ remaining free agents in 2022

Miles Sanders and Boston Scott Playoff Fantasy League Strategy: Do you really trust Philly?

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The fantasy football season might be over, but there are still ways to enjoy this game, like playoff contests. The Philadelphia Eagles’ backfield has been a source of fantasy points throughout the regular season, but can Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Kenneth Gainwell be trusted in playoff settings?

Miles Sanders leads the backfield

The Eagles got boat raced by the Cowboys in Week 18, but it doesn’t matter. The Cowboys and the Eagles were locked into their respective playoff spots, with the Cowboys winning the division and the Eagles clinching a Wild Card berth.

Sanders was held out with a hand injury that sidelined him in Week 17, aiming to keep him fresh for their Wild Card matchup. Sanders was knocked out of their Week 16 game with the injury but had been heavily utilized in recent weeks.

In their two games prior, Sanders received 42 carries, turning them into 251 rushing yards at a strong 5.98 yards-per-carry clip.

Shockingly, Sanders has yet to find the end zone this season, but he’s the clear lead option in one of the most run-happy offenses in the NFL.

The Eagles can rotate in three other backs

Behind Sanders, the Eagles have shown they have three capable backs that they trust. Philly has deployed Howard, Scott, and Gainwell in heavy workloads at times this season. However, it can be tricky to figure out who will end up with the most opportunities.

Lately, it looks like Scott is the second option behind Sanders. Scott has seen double-digit carries in six of his last eight games in which he’s been healthy. Additionally, he scored 3 rushing touchdowns between Weeks 16-17.

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Gainwell started his first career game in Week 18 as the Eagles rested their starters. He took 12 carries for 78 yards (6.5 ypc) and 1 TD. He also saw 7 targets in the game, catching 4 for 9 yards. Gainwell is elusive and capable of big plays.

Howard has also had his moments in the sun this season and saw double-digit carries in all but one game for which he’s been active this year. Literally, every running back on this roster sees enough workload to be viable for fantasy purposes, which is unlike any other backfield around the NFL.

How to approach Philadelphia’s backfield in playoff contests

There are a few ways to think about playoff contests. One thing to consider is the likelihood that a team can make a deep run in the postseason. Another is whether or not they’ll be able to contribute to your roster on the opening weekend.

This week will be a little different, with only one team from each conference getting the bye. Everyone else will be in action, meaning I’ll be less likely to invest heavily in Wild Card teams and more heavily in better teams that I think can make a run. To me, the Eagles don’t fit that mold.

Yes, Sanders and the other running backs can potentially provide good numbers in the first round of the playoffs, depending on who they face. Still, it’s looking more and more likely that they’ll be lining up across from the Buccaneers’ staunch defense. I’m not trusting the Eagles to get out of the Wild Card round. I still like Sanders if they can somehow pull off that upset, but I won’t value the other running backs highly in playoff contests.

Brady throws for 2 TDs, SB champions dominate Eagles 31-15

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans after Evans caught a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

TAMPA, Fla. – As the game clock expired, Tom Brady raised his arms in triumph along the sideline, whirled and tossed a football into the stands.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their jubilant 44-year-old quarterback took the first step on what they hope will be a journey back to the Super Bowl, dominating the Philadelphia Eagles 31-15 in a NFC wild-card playoff victory Sunday.

“It only gets tougher from here,” said the seven-time Super Bowl winner, who’s trying to help the Bucs become the first team to repeat as NFL champions since the Brady-led New England Patriots won back-to-back titles in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

Tampa Bay (14-4) set the tempo from the start, with Brady leading a pair of long TD drives in the opening quarter and building the lead to 17-0 by halftime.

The three-time league MVP finished off the Eagles with TD passes of 2 yards to Rob Gronkowski and 36 yards to Mike Evans, improving his dazzling playoff record to 35-11 in a record 46 postseason starts.

The Bucs defense did its part, too, intercepting Jalen Hurts twice in the Philadelphia quarterback’s playoff debut.

“We did some good things,” Brady said. “I think we’re just going to have to keep doing what we did today. Everyone’s got to touch it, make some explosive plays. Did a good job possessing it, the defense played great, so it was a great team win. Special teams played awesome — one of the best days we had on special teams all year.”

Brady completed 29 of 37 attempts without an interception while extending his postseason record for TD passes to 85.

But the Bucs had matters well in hand before the reigning Super Bowl MVP found Gronkowski wide open in the middle of the end zone to make it 24-0 midway through the third quarter. The 6-foot-5 Evans punctuated his TD catch for a 31-0 lead with a front flip over the goal line.

Brady targeted Evans 10 times, completing nine of the throws for 117 yards. He’s 5-0 in postseason games since joining the Bucs in 2020 after 20 seasons with the Patriots.

“I don’t ever take it for granted,” Evans said of Brady’s leadership. “When he came to this team I knew he was going to change the franchise. He’s done that and then some. He makes sure we’re always ready to play. He makes sure that we know what we’re doing and he makes sure that we give it our all. That’s all you can ask for from a leader.”

The Eagles (9-9) scored on Boston Scott’s 34-yard run and Hurts’ 16-yard TD pass to Kenneth Gainwell both in the fourth quarter. A 2-point conversion trimmed Philadelphia’s deficit to 16 with 4:45 remaining, but that was as close as it would get.

“We didn’t play good enough today, I didn’t play good enough today,” said Hurts, who was wearing a protective boot on his left foot after the game.

“This game does not define us, does not define who we are. We know all the different things that we’ve overcome. I know as a football team we’ll be back," added Hurts, who at 23 is the youngest QB to start a playoff game for the Eagles. “We’ll be back. This is a feeling that will kind of simmer in our hearts, simmer for us all.”

Giovani Bernard scored on a 2-yard run and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a second-year pro filling in for injured running backs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, covered the final yard of a 70-yard drive that put the Bucs up 14-0.

Brady led the NFL in passing yards, touchdowns, attempts and completions this season, but Tampa Bay gained the upper hand in this one by running the ball and keeping it away from Hurts and the league’s leading rushing attack.

The Bucs ran 25 plays to Philadelphia’s eight in the first quarter, outgaining the Eagles 137 yards to 17 and compiling an 11-1 edge in first downs.

It didn’t get much better after that, with a Tampa Bay defense fortified by the return of injured linebackers Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul turning away Hurts’ most promising drive of the opening half with Mike Edwards’ end zone interception.

The Eagles won four of their last five games to earn the No. 7 playoff seeding in the NFC, however the turning point in their season came when running the ball became a focal point of the offense during the second half of a 28-22 home loss to the Bucs.

The Eagles ran for at least 130 yards in their next nine games, including seven in a row with more than 175. Hurt led the team with 784 yards and 10 yards rushing, becoming the eighth quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 3,000 yards and run for more than 750.

Hurts finished his playoff debut 23 of 43 passing for 258 yards. He ran for a team-high 39 yards on eight attempts, with the Eagles finishing with 95 yards rushing overall — well below their season average of 159.7 per game.

“I didn’t sense for a moment that the moment was too big for them. I just think we made some mistakes,” first-year Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “We just didn’t make some plays. We didn’t coach good enough at the end of the day.”

INJURIES

Eagles: LB T.J. Edwards (elbow) left in the second half and did not return.

Buccaneers: While David and Bernard were activated from injured reserve, RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring) was not. With RB Ronald Jones (ankle) inactive, that created a bigger role for Vaughn. … All-Pro RT Tristan Wirfs limped off with an ankle injury a little over a minute into the game. He returned briefly in the second quarter, before taking the rest of the day off.

UP NEXT

Eagles: Enter offseason with lingering questions about whether Hurts is the answer at quarterback moving forward.

Buccaneers: Host NFC divisional game next Sunday afternoon against the winner of the Cardinals-Rams game being played Monday night.

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Eagles vs. Buccaneers

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TAMPA, Fla. – — As the game clock expired, Tom Brady raised his arms in triumph along the sideline, whirled and tossed a football into the stands.