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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The Tampa Bay Hot Buccaneers have the impression that their first 2-0 start in eight years is a surprise.
"I think that's what we expected," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said after scoring 402 yards and four touchdowns in the 27-21 win over defending Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles.
"I do not know if everyone expected us to be here," said 14-year-old rookie Jameis Winston, "but we will continue this momentum."
The next game will be a clash at prime time next Monday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Suddenly, what appeared to be a potentially difficult start to the season with a three-game suspension from Winston for violating the NFL's personal driving policy is turning into one of the league's best wellness stories.
The Bucs, who finished 5-11 last season, have not participated in the playoffs since 2007.
"You can not reach a peak too soon. We have a lot of football left, "said receiver DeSean Jackson. "I just know this team and this locker room is a different team than last year."
The same goes for the Eagles (1-1), who were late in receiving TD 75 yards from the first game of the game and were never fully recovered.
Nick Foles racked up 334 yards and a TD without interception, but an attack decimated by an injury is hurt with turnovers, penalties and other mistakes.
Eagles coach, Doug Pederson, was not in the mood to make comparisons with last season.
"I will not go back and bring out old memories," Pederson said. "New team, new faces. We have our own set of circumstances now. "
Some information on the Bucs' victory over the reigning Super Bowl champions:
QUICK START
Fitzpatrick had more than 400 yards and four touchdowns for a second week in a row. In addition to teaming up with Jackson in the first scrum match, the 35-year-old was tied to the end-of-round team. Howard on a 75-yard score in the second quarter.
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans also caught the TD and Jackson finished with four receptions for 129 yards.
"It's amazing," Jackson said of Fitzpatrick, who had 819 yards and nine touchdowns in two games. "He's playing on this world now."
SLOW START
Philadelphia's defense yielded 271 yards and three touchdowns in the first period. The attack, which has been played without Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffery and Darren Sproles, was not helped by the loss of running back Jay Ajayi, receiver Mike Wallace and tackle Jason Peters in the first period.
Nick Foles ended up throwing for 334 yards, but by the time the Eagles started moving the ball consistently, they led 27-7.
"A lot of self-inflicted injuries," Pederson said of his team's sloppy play early.
"The guys are intensifying all the time and that's what we've done," Foles said. "We gave ourselves the opportunity to win this game."
NO TIME AT PANIC
The Foles, who replaced Wentz after the Eagles lost their starting quarter with an injury at the end of last season, tried to put the team's loss and difficulties into perspective.
"We did not win every game last year. I think people forget that, "said Foles. "We have a lot of expectations for us, but we can not put such pressure on us."
Nelson's 2-yard TD touchdown reduced Philadelphia's deficit to 27-21 with 2:46 remaining.
"We had our shots. I just have the impression that if we had recovered that ball one more time, we would have a chance to try to win it, "Peters said. "But we had 20 seconds left and we did not have many options."
THE LAST TIME
The Bucs are 2-0 for the second time only since 2005, when they finished 11-5. They also won their first two games en route to a 10-6 record in 2010, but did not win a playoff qualifier.
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