“It’s been different every time we’ve played them,” Jalen Hurts mused to News 8 Channel. Little did he know, Mother Nature was about to toss her curveball into this highly anticipated rematch.

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to swoop into Raymond James Stadium, they’ll face more than just the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ defense. The forecast calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms, with a 38% chance of precipitation threatening to turn this gridiron battle into a slip ‘n slide showdown.

But rain isn’t the only weather wild card in play. The mercury is set to soar, with temperatures hitting a sweltering 88°F at kickoff. Factor in Tampa’s notorious humidity, and we’re looking at a feels-like temperature of 102°F. It’s enough to make even the toughest linemen melt faster than ice cream on a Florida sidewalk.

Wind could also play a role in this clash of NFC titans. Gusts up to 12 mph are expected, potentially turning long passes into adventures and field goals into games of chance. It’s a meteorological mixing pot that could level the playing field or tilt it dramatically, depending on how each team adapts.

For Hurts and the Eagles, these conditions present a double-edged sword. The slick ball might hamper their passing game, especially with a receiving corps that’s been hit harder than a tackling dummy. A.J. Brown’s hamstring issues and DeVonta Smith’s concussion have left Hurts with fewer targets than a dartboard in the dark. But the wet field could also play into Hurts’ strengths as a dual-threat quarterback, turning broken plays into impromptu scrambles.

Jalen Hurts seeks revenge in hostile territory

This isn’t just another game for the Eagles. It’s a chance to exorcise the demons of last season’s playoff collapse. That 32-9 drubbing at the hands of Baker Mayfield and the Bucs still stings like a jellyfish on a Tampa beach.

Hurts, sporting a less-than-stellar 1-3 record against Tampa Bay is itching to flip the script. But he’ll have to do it with a patchwork receiving corps. With Brown and Smith questionable, tight end Dallas Goedert might find himself busier than a one-armed juggler. His 170-yard performance against the Saints could be a preview of things to come.

In contrast, Baker Mayfield might be figuring out a way to prove that last year’s playoff win wasn’t a fluke. Baker Mayfield will possess home-field advantage, but as we all know in Florida, this gift comes pre-packaged with its own set of trials. The stadium’s weather, unpredictable as it may be, could one minute turn Raymond James into a sauna and the next thing when you least expect it make it flood the floor.

Regarding the Eagles’ recent slide, it was clear that coach Todd Bowles would not take them lightly.“They were already a good team before they got him,” Bowles said about Saquon Barkley. “You put that behind one of the top two or three offensive lines, and you’re going to have nothing but success.” Barkley’s speed and elusiveness could be the factor that decides this contest–with the weather forecast showing slippery conditions it might just turn into Slide Ninja South Florida special.