The Philadelphia Eagles continued their strong start to the 2025 NFL season with a 31-25 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, moving to a 4-0 record. This win leaves them as the only undefeated team in the NFC.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni commented on the team’s performance and approach: “We just (have) guys that work their butts off,” Sirianni said. “We stress it. We talk about it, how the hard work … that’s really what we talked about all week is that the game and the work that you put into the game never lie to you. We have guys that put the work in, we have coaches that put the work in. Listen, we (have) a lot to clean up, but to be 4-0, that’s good. What we talked about was, ‘Don’t let good get in the way of great.’ So, we have a lot to clean up. We’ll enjoy this. Again, I feel like a broken record, we’ll enjoy this tonight, we’ll enjoy this in the locker room, we’ll enjoy it on the plane, and then (Monday) is going to be tough for all of us. We’ll get the corrections made that we need to make.”
Quarterback Jalen Hurts echoed his coach’s sentiment: “That’s been his message all week: ‘Don’t let good get in the way of great,’ and it’s a challenge to not settle for good,” Hurts said. “It’s a challenge to be critical of yourselves, as players, as coaches, everybody, and say, ‘How can we be greater than what we are?’ So like I said, it’s a humbling game. If you don’t have that mentality, then you’re really doing a disservice to the game itself. We play this game to win, and we take great pride in winning. We also take great pride in improvement.”
Hurts delivered an efficient first half against Tampa Bay’s aggressive defense led by Head Coach Todd Bowles. He completed 15 of 16 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns before halftime and finished with no turnovers and a quarterback rating of 104.5 while also leading his team with 62 rushing yards.
“I think it was a great team win. Another gritty win, coming in and finding a way to win,” Hurts said after avenging his last loss as starter from Week 4 of last season against Tampa Bay—a run which now stands at 18 straight wins for Hurts as starting quarterback.
“You can be on top one day and at the bottom the next. This game is very humbling and I take that approach in it,” Hurts added.
Last year after four games Philadelphia stood at 2-2 before going on an extended winning streak culminating in a Super Bowl title; this year they hold both an undefeated record through four weeks and a two-game lead within their division.
“We had a lot of opportunity in front of us. I think we’re in a good place now, no different because we have a lot of opportunity in front of us, and so we’re looking at the standard of execution,” Hurts said.
He continued: “Talent wins you games, but a certain level of team – collective play, collective attacking and intelligence in the game – that wins you championships. So, we just want to continue to build in that direction.”
The Eagles began Sunday’s contest with another special teams touchdown—tight end Cameron Latu blocked Tampa Bay’s opening punt which safety Sydney Brown returned for 35 yards into the end zone.
“I think what we do great on this team – and what other teams don’t do – our special teams guys have roles,” Brown explained postgame.”Everybody has a role throughout the week and it’s not like we (mess) around. I think everybody goes out there they play hard they understand what we need to do to be successful.
“What (special teams coaches Michael) Clay and Tyler Brown and Joe (Pannunzio) are giving us – that’s what we do.We dominate it,and I think that when you play complementary football,I think special teams is one of those three phases that can really impact the game.”
Running back Saquon Barkley contributed one touchdown despite being limited by Tampa Bay’s defense.”I like winning.I like winning football,” Barkley stated.”I don’t know that’s just me.I like winning football games,and I don’t care what it looks like.Whether it’s me rushing for 20 yards or me rushing for 200 yards.Whatever it takes.I don’t care if score is 6-3 or 36-4.We’re 4-0.”
Barkley emphasized improvements needed from Philadelphia’s offense especially regarding second-half performance.”The way we played second half this week…we’re going to have hard time winning football games,” he noted.”We’ve just got continue improve continue jell find…identity within offense…That’s what season’s for.We’re going continue get better…”
Rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell recovered from allowing an explosive touchdown by intercepting Baker Mayfield late in fourth quarter—a key play helping secure victory.Campbell reflected:”As I learn game…I think biggest thing is it’s all about ball…It’s just blessing just being on this team having knack for ball,having mindset go get ball.”
Under Sirianni since 2021,the Eagles are tied with Kansas City Chiefs for best road record (.722).Jalen Hurts has now surpassed Joe Montana for fifth-best quarterback win percentage since NFL merger.The defense produced its highest pressure rate since early last season,and rookie Quinyon Mitchell recorded five passes defensed while limiting opposing receivers.
