Buccaneers downplaying 'battle-tested' Eagles showdown

The NFL world will be building up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Week 4 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles to within an inch of its life, but head coach Todd Bowles isn't making it bigger than it is.

With both teams undefeated coming into the game, a lot is riding on it. The Buccaneers may need a win more than the Eagles to prove their credentials as a genuine NFC contender, and perhaps even a Super Bowl contender.

The Buccaneers are dealing with several injuries along the offensive line, and with Mike Evans having a hamstring injury, Bowles might have to shuffle things around.

And he's ready for what will be a true test of his team's ability.

“They're battle-tested,” Bowles said. “They won the Super Bowl. That's where we're trying to get to. We know they're a quality team coming in here. We think we're a quality team that they're going to play, so, we just got to limit our mistakes and focus on us. It's a big game four. That's all it is. It's a big game four. It's not going to break us, and it's not going to make us, and we win.

"At the same time, it's a quality opponent coming in here that we get to test ourselves against and see where we are.”

MORE: Buccaneers get brutal Mike Evans injury update ahead of Eagles clash 

Buccaneers can prove Super Bowl credentials vs. Eagles

For most, the Buccaneers deserve to at least be mentioned as NFC contenders, and some are a little wary given the franchise hasn't exactly beaten good teams through three weeks.

But all of that can change in Week 4.

Does Tampa Bay have to win to prove it is worthy of being at the Super Bowl table in 2025? Most likely, but also if the Buccaneers are competitive and show they can go toe-to-toe with Philadelphia, that might be enough.

Of course, they want to win, as that would establish them as genuine challengers. If they were to defeat the Eagles, even with their injury concerns, many would be looking at Bowles' team, knowing they have a genuine shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this season.

MORE NFL NEWS:

• 49ers giving a look to Shilo Sanders | Sporting News
• Why did Titans trade Jarvis Brownlee? Making sense of Tennessee unloading young CB | Sporting News
• Drew Brees roasts Eagles offense despite 3-0 start | Sporting News
• Updated Week 3 Fantasy Injuries Recap: Limbo for CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, Terry McLaurin, but James Conner's season over | Sporting News
• Updated Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 4: Top pickups include Tre Tucker, Luther Burden, Trey Benson, more | Sporting News