Tag: Christian Izien

Eagles updated 53-man roster vs. Buccaneers: News and notes for wild card matchup

We’re looking at an updated 53-man roster for the Philadelphia Eagles Wild Card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Eagles are in Tampa for an intriguing wild card matchup against the NFC South champion, Buccaneers, on ABC/ESPN, Monday Night Football.

After the Cowboys’ upset loss to the Packers and Lions win over the Rams, the Philadlphia-Tampa winner will travel to Detroit for a divisional-round matchup next Sunday.

The Bucs and Eagles have met five previous times, including Tampa Bay’s NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia in 2002 to close out Veteran’s Stadium. The most recent postseason meeting came just two years ago, in 2021, in Jalen Hurts’ first road playoff start; Tampa won 31-15.

With final preparations completed for both teams, we’re at an updated 53-man roster for the Eagles.

Eagles vs. Buccaneers: 3 ways Tampa Bay has improved since Week 3 matchup

We’re looking at three ways the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have improved since their Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles

On September 25, 2023, the Philadelphia defense shut down Baker Mayfield and the Tampa offense, while the road team had a 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver on a night when Jalen Hurts and the offense left points on the board.

Rookie defensive tackle and No. 9 overall pick Jalen Carter was dominant in limited pass rush opportunities, while the Eagles secondary adjusted without Avonte Maddox in the slot, moving James Bradberry and Sydney Brown around the field.

In that matchup, Tampa finished with 174 total yards and was 5-10 on third downs.

Fast forward four months later, and the two teams will meet for a second time this season after the Buccaneers won the NFC South, securing the fourth seed.

Both teams are vastly different since that matchup, and we’re looking at three ways that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have improved since the last meaningful contest.

Eagles vs. Bucs: 5 adjustments Dave Canales and Todd Bowles will make in Wild Card round

We’re looking at five adjustments Todd Bowles and David Canales will make when the Buccaneers host the Eagles in Monday’s NFC Wild Card game

The Buccaneers will look to avenge an early regular season loss when they host the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card Round matchup.

The Bucs and Eagles have met five previous times, including Tampa Bay’s NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia in 2002 to close out Veteran’s Stadium. The most recent postseason meeting came just two years ago in 2021 in Jalen Hurts’ first road playoff start, Tampa won, 31-15.

With final preparations completed for both teams, we’re looking five adjustments that Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, and OC Dave Canales will make on Monday night.

7 key offensive adjustments the Eagles have to make entering the playoffs

We’re looking at seven key offensive adjustments and changes the Philadelphia Eagles have to make entering the postseason

The NFL regular season is a wrap, and Philadelphia is the No. 5 overall seed in the NFC after a 27-10 loss to the Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 18.

The Eagles went 1-5 down the stretch, but Nick Sirianni’s team advanced to the postseason for the third year in a row, finishing with an 11-6 record.

They face a familiar foe on the road when they travel to Tampa to face the 9-8 Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium without an injured A.J. Brown.

The postseason is also about conforming, and we’re looking at seven critical adjustments Philadelphia must make entering the final game of the wild card round.

Wild Card Weekend picks: Who the experts are taking in Eagles vs. Buccaneers

We’re looking at who the NFL Experts are picking in the Philadelphia Eagles Wild Card round matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Philadelphia went 1-5 down the stretch, but Nick Sirianni’s team advanced to the postseason for the third year in a row, finishing with an 11-6 record.

They face a familiar foe on the road when they travel to Tampa to face the 9-8 Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium without an injured A.J. Brown.

The Bucs and Eagles have met five previous times, including Tampa Bay’s NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia in 2002 to close out Veteran’s Stadium. The most recent postseason meeting came just two years ago in 2021 in Jalen Hurts’ first road playoff start, Tampa won, 31-15.

With kickoff a little over 48 hours away, we’re looking at who the NFL experts are picking in this intriguing matchup to close out wild card weekend.

7 stats to know for Eagles vs. Buccaneers in wild-card round

We’re looking at seven stats to know ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles Wild Card Round matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The brackets are set on both sides, and the Eagles will hit the road on Monday night for their sixth playoff meeting against the Buccaneers when the two teams close out the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend.

Philadelphia dominated Tampa Bay in Week 3 during their first Monday night matchup, and it’ll be the second time quarterback Jalen Hurts has faced the Bucs in the postseason at Raymond James Stadium.

With on-field preparation set to begin for both teams, we’re looking at seven stats to know for Monday night.

Eagles vs. Bucs Wild Card preview: 7 things to know about Tampa Bay

We’re previewing the Philadelphia Eagles NFC Wild Card matchup and looking at seven things to know about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Philadelphia went 1-5 down the stretch, but Nick Sirianni’s team advanced to the postseason for the third year in a row, finishing with an 11-6 record.

Despite the embarrassing conclusion to the regular season, the Eagles finished seventh in points per game. Still, they maintain the NFL’s top offensive line and a dynamic duo at the wide receiver position.

They face a familiar foe on the road when they travel to Tampa to face the 9-8 Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bucs and Eagles have a storied playoff history, having met five previous times, including Tampa Bay’s NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia in 2002 to close out Veteran’s Stadium. The most recent postseason meeting came just two years ago in 2021 in Jalen Hurts’ first road playoff start, Tampa won, 31-15.

This year’s playoff matchup is a rematch of a Week 3 meeting at Raymond James Stadium that Philadelphia won 25-11.

With on-field preparation set to begin at the NovaCare Complex, we’re looking at seven things about the Eagles Wild Card opponent.

Former Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien is the highest graded rookie safety in the NFL

In Week 13 of the NFL season, former Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien received the highest grade among rookie safeties in the NFL. 

In Week 13 of the 2023-23 NFL season, former Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien received the highest grade among rookie safeties in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Izien has appeared in 12 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his rookie campaign, recording 40 total tackles, one force fumble, two pass breakups, and two interceptions.

While attending Rutgers University, Izien started in seven games in 2019, recording 78 tackles and three pass breakups in 12 appearances. As a senior in 2022, Izien logged 84 tackles, five tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks, and four pass breakups, receiving honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors for his efforts.

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After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Izien got signed by the Bucs as an undrafted free agent. During the off-season, the former Scarlet Knight made an impression around the organization and made the final roster. Throughout the season, Izien started in the Bucs’ nickel package, recording interceptions in his first two games, becoming only the fourth undrafted player in NFL history to reach that milestone.

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Izien shone in his Week 3 matchup against the Eagles, recording six tackles for loss and two assisted tackles.

 

Bucs’ biggest surprises from the first quarter of the season

Despite media expectations, the Bucs are 3-1 and atop the NFC South — but that isn’t the only surprise in Tampa Bay this season.

Outside of Tampa Bay, expectations for the Buccaneers coming into the 2023 season were low. With no Tom Brady and $75 million in dead cap money, the Bucs were dead on arrival.

Tampa Bay clearly had other ideas.

At 3-1, Tampa Bay is firmly in control of the NFC South and a playoff contender. It comes as little surprise that the defense is above average, powered largely by 10 forced turnovers, the second-most in the NFL this year. The source of these turnovers and the defense’s resiliency, on the other hand, may be unexpected.

The biggest surprises come on offense. Things were going to be different under new offensive coordinator Dave Canales, but as a rookie playcaller, it was a mystery whether he would be a change for good or not. A quarter of the way through the season, it would be difficult to argue that Canales is not an upgrade for the Bucs offense.

Here are the biggest surprises from the first four games of Tampa Bay’s season:

Christian Izien impresses in NFL debut

Christian Izien makes a big play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in his NFL debut.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the underdog role in their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. In front of a crowd of 67,202, the Buccaneers found a way to win after a rough start. While the Bucs got contributions from throughout the roster, Rutgers football product Christian Izien shined.

In his first NFL game, Izien recorded one interception and three total tackles. He did not make life for Kirk Cousins easy while helping the Buccaneers’ secondary keep the Vikings offense in check. His best moment came in the second quarter when Minnesota was in the red zone.

With the Vikings on the verge of taking a 17-10 lead, Izien ripped the ball out of K.J. Osborn’s hands on the goal line. It was the only interception that Cousins threw, but it gave Tampa Bay much-needed momentum. Just as he did at Rutgers, Izien came through for his team during a clutch moment.

 

He also made history as Izien became the first undrafted Bucs rookie to intercept a pass in a Week 1 NFL debut since Cecil Johnson in 1977.

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As the season continues, the New York native will be a player to watch. He was signed by the Bucs as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft but earned a starting role due to his talent and hard work. While the NFL season is less than a week old, Izien has wasted no time making his presence felt.