NFL picks and predictions, Buccaneers vs. Eagles 2015: Philadelphia favored to hold off Tampa Bay

When Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were blown out 42-14 by Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, it looked like it would be another long season in Tampa.

Instead, with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the Buccaneers would pull to 5-5 and put themselves in position for a surprising run at a wild card spot. However, the Eagles are also trying to get to 5-5, which would not only put them in contention for a wild card berth, but in the abysmal NFC East, it would have them in the thick of the division race.

Winston is going to have a tough matchup against Philadelphia's seventh-ranked pass defense, which will put a lot of pressure on Tampa Bay's running game to open things up. Doug Martin is the centerpiece of a top-10 running game, averaging 78 yards a game, but he's getting plenty of help from Charles Sims and Winston. The three are averaging 128.4 yards per game, and will need every bit of it if they are going to give Winston time to throw the ball.

He is still struggling with that, but he hasn't been helped by top receiver Mike Evans' inability to hang on to the ball. In a vertical passing game like the Buccaneers use, Winston can't afford to lose big plays when he's on target.

As for the Philadelphia offense, Mark Sanchez is expected to get the start while Sam Bradford recovers from a shoulder injury and concussion he sustained last week. Ryan Mathews is also expected to be sidelined due to a concussion, so the Eagles will need DeMarco Murray and Darren Sproles to open up a tough Buccaneers rushing defense unless they want to rely entirely on Sanchez -- a scary thought.