Eagles X-Factor: Is Dallas Goedert the key to defeating the Buccaneers in Week 4?

Last weekend in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 15-12 road win over the New Orleans Saints, tight end Dallas Goedert was a major part of the fourth-quarter comeback. The Eagles’ second-round pick from 2018 was unstoppable on the day finishing with 170 yards on 10 catches. While the 6-foot-5 athlete did not reach the end zone, he helped set the team up for victory with a critical 61-yard reception on a 3rd-and-16 play call with the clock winding down

With no DeVonta Smith in the lineup and AJ Brown limited in practice this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will surely focus their game plan against trying to contain Saquon Barkley. Three teams in the NFL have tried this season, and three teams have failed as Barkley has averaged 117 yards and a touchdown over the initial three games of the season. Saquon punched in both Philadelphia touchdowns in the defense battle last week. 

If Tampa Bay placed their focus on slowing down Saquon Barkley, a huge opportunity exists for Dallas Goedert to be an important cog in the Eagles offense this week. The 29-year-old is averaging 14.1 yards per catch this season, however, he only was located by Hurts seven times over the first two games with four catches against Green Bay and three grabs versus Atlanta.  That number skyrocketed to double-digits (10) in last weekend’s win over New Orleans. 

It will not be an easy task for Dallas Goedert to find space against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to the NFL Fantasy research, the Bucs present the 4th best team defense against opposing tight ends this season. Tampa has allowed seven catches on ten passing attempts for a total of 60 yards and no scores yet in 2024. 

Sunday afternoon’s matchup with be Dallas Goedert’s fourth meeting against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season, Goedert scored Philadelphia’s only touchdown in a 32-9 blowout loss to the Buccaneers. The touchdown celebration was the highlight of the day as Dallas Goedert had 4 catches for 21 yards. Meanwhile, Tampa shut down Goedert in the 2023 meeting as well allowing only 41 yards on 5 catches in a 25-11 Eagles win.

Goedert’s best performance came in January 2022 during the NFC Wild Card Game in a 31-15 loss to end Philadelphia’s season. Goedert caught 6 balls for 92 yards as the Eagles were unable to overcome Tom Brady’s quest for another Super Bowl title. Brady and the Bucs claimed a 31-9 win over  Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs a few weeks later in Super Bowl LV. 

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both 2-1 heading into the Week 4 battle in the NFL regular season. If the Eagles can utilize Saquon Barkley to open up some space for Dallas Goedert, Philly might have the necessary weapons to enter the bye week with a 3-1 record following another massive early-season victory.

That would be the key ingredient to a much needed Eagles victory. The game plan doesn’t have to be airtight for them to win but Nick Sirianni and Kellen Moore need to make the game easier for Jalen Hurts and the offense. If the team can put together a complete game and utilize the weapons that they have then Philadelphia can build on this performance.

REUTERS/Carla Carniel