5 bold predictions for Eagles against Buccaneers

3. Zach Ertz catches 8+ passes, also scores

While Smith is going to attack the injury-ravaged secondary of the Buccaneers, the fact of the matter is that Tampa Bay has another area where they could be susceptible in this game. With linebacker Lavonte David out of the lineup for Week 6 along with Antoine Winfield Jr., the middle of the field is going to be a bit more open than normal.

For as athletically freaky as Devin White is, the biggest area where he’s struggled over the past season and a half has been in coverage. He’s improved from his rookie season but he still has warts when he drops back. And if they don’t even ask him to do that all that much, that leaves a backup to defend the likes of Zach Ertz.

So far in the 2021 season, the two tight ends for the Eagles are basically splitting looks right now with Dallas Goedert having 15 catches on 19 targets and Ertz having 14 receptions on 25 targets. However, Goedert is out for this game, which finally means that one of the tight ends is going to get the full workload at the position.

With attention likely focused on aiding this patchwork secondary, the middle of the field is going to be open. As such, Philadelphia will pepper their tight end throughout the night and Ertz will have a resurgent game (one that might boost his trade value).