Reasons for the Eagles enjoying a faster start than seen in years past

The 2022 Eagles look nothing like the team we watched last season.

The Philadelphia Eagles‘ undefeated train keeps rolling along as they defeated their NFC East division rival, the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday Night Football to push their record to 6-0. Now, Philly has a chance to rest up and get healthier in Week 7 before moving on to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8.

The first seven weeks of the 2021 season were a different story as they limped to a 2-5 start. Truthfully, this team has become accustomed to fast starts. Last year, Dallas had all the fun at the top of the NFC East’s standings. There was a bright spot. Philly was scoring, averaging 22.8 points per game through those first seven contests.

Hope sprang eternal that things would improve this time around. It most certainly did. Yes, Philadelphia has upped their offensive production as this season they average 26.8 points per game. The addition of wide receiver A. J. Brown has helped elevate this offense. Philly has hit another gear. They aren’t just a running team anymore. Opposing defenses are on notice.

The Eagles’ defenders had a hard time stopping opponents from scoring through six weeks in 2021. They gave up an average of 25.3 points per game.

It’s been quite the turnaround for this defense this year, as they only allowed an average of 17.5 points per game this season. That’s one reason for the turnaround. What follows are three more. These are the improvements that transformed an average team that improved to one of the top-tier teams this time around.

Philadelphia was one of the best teams at running the ball last year, but they might have gotten even better this time around. The rushing attack is spearheaded by a hungrier Miles Sanders, who is trying to prove in 2022 that he is worthy of a big payday in the offseason.

 

Sanders definitely has started fast this year, as he rushed for 485 yards and four touchdowns during the first six games. A year ago, the Penn State Alum wasn’t anywhere close to those numbers as he posted 260 yards through six weeks.

It also seems the Eagles trust Sanders with the ball more this year, as he’s toted the rock 105 times. That’s a far cry from the 63 attempts he had through seven weeks in 2021.

It seemed like the coaching staff had more faith in  Jalen Hurts as a runner than they had in the running backs. QB1 led the team with 300 yards on 53 carries through six weeks. He also scored five rushing touchdowns during that time.

Hurts has carried the ball 77 times in 2022, but it’s great to see the effort to entrust the running game to the tailbacks. QB1 has done his thing with his speed as a scrambler this year. He’s added 293 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns through Week 6 to his resume.

It is pretty hard to stop a potent running attack when the defense has to keep its eye on both the quarterback and the feature running back. Both can break games or shift momentum on any given play.

Not only is Jalen Hurts tearing the opposing opponents on the ground this year, but he is also doing it through the air, leading an improved passing attack while he continues to take the next step as a signal-caller.

 

Through seven weeks in 2021, Philadelphia’s starting quarterback had 1,716 passing yards on his resume. He had thrown for ten touchdowns versus four interceptions. He was also completing just 59% of his passes.

Fast forward to the 2022 season, he has become more efficient. He’s completing passes at a 66.8% clip while throwing for 1,514 yards and six touchdowns versus only two interceptions. He’s also averaging 8.2 yards per pass attempt through six games.

It doesn’t hurt to have a big-bodied wide receiver in A.J. Brown, who can push around defenders and create opportunities for teammates. The Eagles didn’t have that in 2021.

Brown has not disappointed in his debut season with the Birds so far. He leads the team in receiving yards (503), and he’s done it on 33 receptions. He’s also scored two touchdowns.

Fellow wide receiver DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert hope to make an impact in games. Smith is second on the Eagles in receiving yards with 397. Goedert is right behind him with 357.

The offense isn’t the only unit that has elevated its play. The defense has made some huge strides as well.

Philadelphia’s general manager Howie Roseman is looking smarter as each week of the current NFL season passes. Most of his recent additions to the offense and defense have contributed to this six-game winning streak that has started the season.

 

Opposing quarterbacks aren’t finding any comfort in the pocket whenever the Eagles are on the schedule. Neither are their coordinators. The Eagles’ defenders are making life tough on every signal-caller they face, and through six weeks of action, they’ve already tallied 17 sacks.

It wasn’t the same story last season through Week 6. The Birds only had 11 sacks to their name during that time.

Something else that the Eagles are doing well is forcing turnovers. Try Another thing this 2022 defense has been good at is getting turnovers, as they have forced nine fumbles (five were recovered). They’ve also snagged nine interceptions through Week 6.

Five of the nine interceptions have come from offseason acquisitions C.J. Gardner-Johnson and James Bradberry. Linebacker Haason Reddick has been making a giant impact as well. He has three forced fumbles on the year.

Turnovers were hard to come by for the Birds last year as they only had one forced fumble and five interceptions through six games at this same point a year ago.

In recent years, the Eagles have started slow. That’s no longer the case. The mix of high-character veterans and talented young players have them as the last sole remaining undefeated team in the NFL. This won’t last forever, but it’s good to see the Eagles playing competitive ball.

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