The Tackle-Box Disaster: David Moore’s 44-Yard TD Becomes the Face of Eagles’ Collapse
Baker Mayfield fired a strike to Moore on a crossing pattern. It was a play designed to move the chains, not necessarily to change the scoreboard. But as Moore turned upfield, the Philadelphia secondary looked like they were playing on ice. Moore didn’t just run; he navigated through a series of “look-at-me” tackle attempts. Five different Eagles defenders had a hand on him. None brought him to the grass. By the time Moore crossed the goal line, the 32-9 rout was effectively underway.
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— Spooky (@DaSpookyMan) January 8, 2026
Fundamental Football Fails Philly
The Eagles entered the postseason with a defense in freefall, and the Moore touchdown was the smoking gun. From safety rotations to basic wrap-ups, the unit looked completely disconnected. Mayfield finished the night with 337 passing yards, and a staggering amount of that yardage came after the catch. This wasn’t a case of elite speed; it was a case of defensive apathy.
Tampa Bay’s coaching staff clearly saw blood in the water early. They repeatedly tested Philadelphia’s ability to tackle in space, and the Eagles failed every single test. The Buccaneers didn’t just outplay Philadelphia—they out-hustled them.
The “After The Catch” Damage
- David Moore: 1 Catch, 44 Yards, 1 TD
- Total Missed Tackles (PHI): 14 (Season High)
- Bucs Total YAC: 212 Yards
What They Said
“I just saw green grass and a lot of guys diving at my feet. In this offense, if you make one guy miss, you have a chance to go all the way. Tonight, we made a lot of guys miss.” — David Moore, Buccaneers WR
“Fundamental football. We didn’t do it. You can’t win in January if you can’t tackle. It’s that simple. We didn’t put them in positions to succeed and we didn’t execute.” — Nick Sirianni, Eagles Head Coach
The Aftermath: Offseason of Questions
The Eagles’ defensive identity is officially in the gutter. After a 10-1 start to the season, they finished the year losing six of their final seven games. This specific play—David Moore spinning away from half a defense—is the “lowlight” that defines the end of the Nick Sirianni/Matt Patricia defensive era in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers move on to Detroit. Baker Mayfield is playing with house money and a receiving corps that turns short gains into explosive scores. If the Lions’ secondary doesn’t wrap up better than Philly, they’ll be the next victim of Tampa Bay’s “YAC-attack” offense.
