Eagles vs Bucs Studs & Duds

When you want the Eagles to win, they lose. When you wanted them to lose, they win. It's been that kind of season.

The Eagles' first victory since September came Sunday afternoon in Tampa. It came when Nick Foles led a furious comeback and tossed the game-winning touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin with no time remaining for a 23-21 victory over the Bucs.

Admit it, winning feels nice. It feels good. It feels somewhat refreshing, even if you wanted that No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL Draft. Savor it. Soak it in. Bathe in it. Let it consume you for 24 hours. It's still possible this will be the last Monday victory dance until next September. Nick Foles and the Eagles don't get to face the league's 32nd-ranked pass defense again.

Again, thanks for your votes.

People's Stud

Jason Avant - Avant could have earned this honor for the ridiculous one-handed grab he made in the second quarter alone. His palm actually swallowed the football on the play. But that was just an appetizer for what was to come. Avant had his biggest game since last October with seven catches on 12 targets for 133 yards. He even got downfield -- something he rarely does -- and made a HUGE fourth-down catch that put the Eagles at the 2-yard line for the eventual game-winner. Overall, Avant had one of the best games of his career.

Raanan's Stud

Nick Foles - It would be irresponsible of me to let this week's studs and duds pass without honoring the Eagles rookie quarterback. Really, I had no choice even though defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was my original choice. Bowles' defense may have only allowed 14 points, but Foles actually won the game for the Eagles. He went 11-of-18 passing for 135 yards and 2 TDs on the final two drives. He had two fourth-down conversions on the final drive alone and, of course, completed the game-winning touchdown with no time remaining. I was impressed by Foles last week (see Raanan Review). I was totally sold on him this week. Foles finished 32-of-51 passing for 381 yards and two touchdown passes. He was also the Eagles' leading rusher with 27 yards and a touchdown on three carries.

People's Dud

Bryce Brown - There is no doubt the rookie running back was ineffective. He rushed 12 times for a measly six yards. Seven of those dozen rushes went for no gain or worse. He had just one run of over five yards. Clearly, it was the worst start of Brown's young career. It's no coincident, however, that it came against the league's best run defense. The No. 1 run defense in the NFL! In fact, I wouldn't have gone in this direction. Brown had nowhere to run as the Eagles offensive line struggled all afternoon. But I'm just here to represent the people. You vote, I write.

Raanan's Dud

King Dunlap - The Eagles offensive line didn't just have trouble run blocking. Their pass blocking wasn't much better. Foles was sacked six times. He was pressured relentless, rarely given enough time to sit in the pocket and make traditional throws. Some of that had to do with the play of Dunlap at left tackle. He was brutal. Awful. Horrible. Find any other adjective meaning piss poor and insert it into this string of one-word sentences. Heck, Dunlap was beat clean by Daniel Te'o Nesheim. He was unable to keep from getting pushed five yards back on the Eagles' patented outside run -- the sprint draw. It was really an unsatisfactory effort, even by the King's standards.

Jordan Raanan has covered the Eagles and NFL since 2005. You can reach him at jraanan@hotmail.com on Facebook or Twitter.