Eagles' Nightmare in Tampa: Mike Evans' Hamstring Horror Hands Philly a Golden Ticket to 4-0 Glory!
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Bird Gang, the gods of gridiron karma just delivered Philly a divine intervention: Buccaneers' supernova Mike Evans is out with a devastating hamstring injury for Sunday's scorching Week 4 bloodbath, ripping the heart out of Tampa's 3-0 offense and handing the Eagles a silver platter to their first 4-0 start since 2004. As the defending champs roll into Raymond James Stadium—where they've bled in three of the last four visits, including last year's 33-16 heatstroke nightmare—the absence of Evans (a wrist casualty last season, now this) exposes Tampa's O-line like a pirate ship with no sails, already coughing up 12 sacks and ranking 31st against the rush. For Eagles Nation, still buzzing from Jordan Davis' 18.59 mph scoop-and-score TD vs. the Rams, this is payback poetry—Vic Fangio's blitz-happy scheme (top-5 points allowed under 17 per game) will tee off on Baker Mayfield, who's thrived on late-game magic but now faces a secondary primed to shadow a hobbled Chris Godwin (groin question mark).
Philly's prepping like warriors in the wild: An early Friday flight to beat the 91-degree inferno (real-feel triple digits), saunas for sweat mastery, and Sirianni's discipline drill after TE Cameron Latu's flight fiasco—fines looming to keep the locker room locked in. Jalen Hurts, breaking his ice-man facade with sideline fire last week, demands a "different version" of himself, crediting OC Kevin Patullo's midgame tweaks for the Rams rally. Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley's ground pound (5.2 YPC) eyes Tampa's 5th-ranked run D, but with Vita Vea lurking, expect A.J. Brown (109 yards last outing) to burn deep. Bucs' silver lining? A rushing attack ranking 7th league-wide, but Eagles' 25th run D (despite Jalen Carter and Davis anchoring) could flip that script.
Experts are split but leaning green: USA TODAY's panel sees Philly covering the -3 spread, citing Tampa's injury apocalypse (Evans out, Wirfs and Goedeke banged up). X buzz from Pewter Report hypes Bucs' upset potential, but with Philly's 4-1 ATS last five and 6-1 road ATS, this feels like coronation—projected 28-17 rout, Hurts tossing three TDs while the D sacks Mayfield four times. Bird Gang, the Lombardi whispers louder: Tampa's house of horrors? Nah, it's Philly's playground now. Fly Eagles Fly—revenge is a dish best served scorching!