Will running attack be there when Eagles need it?

[time2rock]

Will running attack be there when Eagles need it?

 

 

 

Reuben Frank

EAGLES INSIDER

When the Eagles hammered the Giants by 26 points last month, they ran for 253 yards and four touchdowns and averaged 8.2 yards per carry.
 
Since then – for a variety of reasons – the Eagles’ running attack just hasn’t been the same.
 
Which running game will show up Saturday night? The Eagles could sure use their early season running game when they face the Giants in a conference semifinal playoff game at the Linc.
 
When the Eagles rushed for at least 100 yards this year they were 12-0. When they didn’t, they were 2-3. 

Yes, when they had big leads, they pounded the rock to finish the game. So that stat might be a little misleading.
 
But the reality is that the running game definitely wasn’t clicking at the end of the season the way it was earlier this year.
 
In their first 13 games, the Eagles averaged 4.9 yards per carry, 6th-highest in the league, and 162 yards per game, 2nd-most.
 
The last four weeks, the Eagles averaged just 3.6 yards per carry – 6th-worst in the league – and 100 yards per game – 7th-fewest.
 
Obviously, a big chunk of that was not having Jalen Hurts for two games. But even in the last two games he did play the Eagles averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. He clearly wasn’t close to 100 percent in the finale against the Giants and wasn’t even trying to run.
 
But the Eagles should be able to run the ball whether or not Hurts is playing or 100 percent. Last year, they ran for 185 yards when Gardner Minshew played vs. the Jets.
 
Part of the issue may be that Miles Sanders has been dealing with a sore knee and didn’t quite look like himself late in the year. He first popped up on the injury report after the Dallas game, wore a brace against the Saints and then was ineffective in the finale against the Giants, eventually giving way to Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell.
 
Those first 13 weeks of the season, Sanders averaged 82 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry. Last four he averaged 50 yards per game and 3.7 per carry.
 
Sanders had 31 runs of 10 yards or more in his first 13 games and just three in his last four. 
 
So much of the Eagles’ effectiveness running the ball stems from the threat of Hurts running. Defenses allocate so many resources to slowing down Hurts it often leads to huge holes for Sanders and the other backs.
 
With Hurts out or less than 100 percent, it becomes much more difficult for the Eagles to run, and when you factor in Sanders’ knee you get what we’ve seen the last few weeks. Also, missing Lane Johnson the last two games didn't help.
 
The Eagles remain confident the running game will be there when they need it. Presumably, we’ll see a healthier Hurts against the Giants Saturday night and that will give the ground attack a boost.
 
"I feel like if we want to run the ball, if we need to run the ball, we’re going to run the ball,” Dallas Goedert said. "We’ve got some of the best five o-linemen there and when they can pin their ears back and we call run plays that we want to work and are going to work, I have full confidence in the run game.”
 
Interesting to note that in the season finale, with Sanders ineffective early, Shane Steichen turned to Scott and Gainwell, who got 14 of 17 second-half carries and netted 89 yards while Sanders finished 11-for-33. 
 
This is why the bye week is so valuable.
 
The Eagles need a healthy Sanders - and a healthy Hurts of course – for this offense to function at a high level.
 
"We love the run,” Jordan Mailata said. "We’re always hungry to run the ball, dude. … It’s in our back pocket. It’s our Swiss Army knife right there. Pull it out anytime and it’ll be useful.”

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/will-running-attack-be-there-when-eagles-need-it

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Steichen needs to commit to the run. With Hurts back and this being a play off game they need to call a game like he's 100%. He is a huge reason why our run game is so successful. Let's get Sanders involved early and let's get Hurts going with his legs early. Force NY to have to chase the game rather than controlling the clock. 

[nipples]

On 1/21/2023 at 5:53 PM, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Steichen needs to commit to the run. With Hurts back and this being a play off game they need to call a game like he's 100%. He is a huge reason why our run game is so successful. Let's get Sanders involved early and let's get Hurts going with his legs early. Force NY to have to chase the game rather than controlling the clock. 

I think he heard you. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

2 hours ago, nipples said:

I think he heard you. 

I think they'll need to do the same next week as well. I know it's an obvious statement but the key is going to be the turnover battle. SF rely on winning that battle to win a lot of their games. We need to turn the ball over a max of 1 time I think. Got to set up the pass via the run.

[birdman#12]

The eagles will need a really good run/pass ratio and some creativity on offense........control the ball & the clock, pile up first downs, win the field position battle.  

The eagles can run the ball on anybody, especially if they're patient and stick to it.  

It's going to be a good game, too much talent on both teams for a runaway.  I think the eagles feed off the crowd and grind SF down.  The D-line needs to make Purdy constantly looking over his shoulder.........I think the eagles are on a mission.  Again, they've heard how good SF is and the media still doubts the Birds.

Eagles 27 SF17

[nipples]

45 minutes ago, birdman#12 said:

The eagles will need a really good run/pass ratio and some creativity on offense........control the ball & the clock, pile up first downs, win the field position battle.  

The eagles can run the ball on anybody, especially if they're patient and stick to it.  

It's going to be a good game, too much talent on both teams for a runaway.  I think the eagles feed off the crowd and grind SF down.  The D-line needs to make Purdy constantly looking over his shoulder.........I think the eagles are on a mission.  Again, they've heard how good SF is and the media still doubts the Birds.

Eagles 27 SF17

Purdy had a few throws last night that should have been picked. Eagles need to crank up the pressure and actually hold onto the ball when he throws it to them, unlike Dallas. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

6 hours ago, nipples said:

Purdy had a few throws last night that should have been picked. Eagles need to crank up the pressure and actually hold onto the ball when he throws it to them, unlike Dallas. 

If Dallas keep hold of just one of those bad bad Purdy throws then they may well be getting ready to walk in to Philly this weekend. 

[Procus]

10 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I think they'll need to do the same next week as well. I know it's an obvious statement but the key is going to be the turnover battle. SF rely on winning that battle to win a lot of their games. We need to turn the ball over a max of 1 time I think. Got to set up the pass via the run.

The fly in the ointment is that unlike the Giants, the Niners have a good run defense.  It won't be as easy to run on them.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

4 hours ago, Procus said:

The fly in the ointment is that unlike the Giants, the Niners have a good run defense.  It won't be as easy to run on them.

No very true it won't be. But they've got to get creative, they've got to stick to the run and they've got to trust that OL.

[Cochis_Calhoun]

8 hours ago, Procus said:

The fly in the ointment is that unlike the Giants, the Niners have a good run defense.  It won't be as easy to run on them.

Statistically they have a good run defense on paper, but they've only faced five 1000yd backs all season, Walker (3 times), Allgeier, Jacobs, McCaffrey and Pollard (plus Justin Fields to make 6 if you count him) and one of them broke his leg in the first half on Sunday.

For comparison we've faced Jamaal Williams, Travis Etienne, Aaron Jones, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley (3 times), Tony Pollard (twice), Najee Harris and if you include him Justin Fields.

They're good but not as good as Elliott made them look Sunday.

[time2rock]

10 hours ago, Procus said:

The fly in the ointment is that unlike the Giants, the Niners have a good run defense.  It won't be as easy to run on them.

No doubt.  Looking at the stat sheet, SF has the 2nd ranked rush defense (in comparison NY's is ranked 27th) and the 21st ranked pass defense (NY 15th).  However, I don't think that means you create a game plan that purposely avoids or minimizes the run (not saying you were insinuating that).  I think it is critical to keep plugging away to keep them honest and not turning one dimensional making their job much easier to defend against us.  We also have one of if not THE top OLs in the league that thrive in the run game (plus we have some excellent run blockers at the skill positions in Goedert and Pascal) ... a large part is merely a matter of imposing your will upon them.  That will also play a large part in maximizing TOP and the extra time on the field will hopefully begin to wear down their defense opening up the running game even more.  I don't want to see a pass heavy attack where TOP is heavily in their favor in much the same way it was against Washington (game 2) and NO.  

[birdman#12]

The thing about the eagles running game is that they have 3 very good backs and Hurts.  Running behind a very good offensive line.  And it's Hurts unpredictability that make everything go.....

And SF's pass defense is below average.....so it's possible the eagles lean more towards the quick passing game......maybe 60/40 pass/run ratio.  Steichen will have to get creative in the red zone as SF is one of the best RZ defenses.......this is where AJ Brown could make a big difference.

Defensively, the pass rush has to really get into Purdy's head.....he hasn't been really tested with a crazy pass rush.......the DLine could make this a nightmare for him.

I don't think this goes down to a late score.......I think the eagles chip away slowly and the defense comes up big again.

Eagles 27 49ers 17

[jsdarkstar]

They need to make a commitment to run the ball, pound the 49er's defense and tire them out for the 4th Quarter. 

[nipples]

42 minutes ago, birdman#12 said:

The thing about the eagles running game is that they have 3 very good backs and Hurts.  Running behind a very good offensive line.  And it's Hurts unpredictability that make everything go.....

And SF's pass defense is below average.....so it's possible the eagles lean more towards the quick passing game......maybe 60/40 pass/run ratio.  Steichen will have to get creative in the red zone as SF is one of the best RZ defenses.......this is where AJ Brown could make a big difference.

Defensively, the pass rush has to really get into Purdy's head.....he hasn't been really tested with a crazy pass rush.......the DLine could make this a nightmare for him.

I don't think this goes down to a late score.......I think the eagles chip away slowly and the defense comes up big again.

Eagles 27 49ers 17

I think they’ll attack Bosa the same way they did Micah in the first Dallas game. Run RPOs all day right at him to try to neutralize him. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

37 minutes ago, nipples said:

I think they’ll attack Bosa the same way they did Micah in the first Dallas game. Run RPOs all day right at him to try to neutralize him. 

I thought the way they neutralised Micah was by forcing him to commit one way or the other? In effect they let him beat himself over and over. I'm not sure that'll work with Bosa I think he's more savvy.

[PoconoDon]

With this O-line, they can run on anybody.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

6 minutes ago, PoconoDon said:

With this O-line, they can run on anybody.

Can and should. They've got to be smart and get the balance right against a very good Niners defense.

[birdman#12]

Sometimes it takes a running game a series or two to get rolling.....or if they can grind out a first down on the ground.

I just hope Steichen keeps with it and doesn't have Hurts throw 40 times.  ToP is always a big factor.

[Portyansky]

Running game effectiveness is gonna come down to Hurts. SF hasn't played a true mobile QB all year. Could make the case for Fields, but that was week one before he started actually using his legs.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

21 hours ago, Portyansky said:

Running game effectiveness is gonna come down to Hurts. SF hasn't played a true mobile QB all year. Could make the case for Fields, but that was week one before he started actually using his legs.

And also Fields isn't as smart as Hurts. He may be a better athlete but he's not as smart. Hurts will read the defense and know when he can take off and where the space is. 

[Procus]

On 1/24/2023 at 7:53 AM, time2rock said:

No doubt.  Looking at the stat sheet, SF has the 2nd ranked rush defense (in comparison NY's is ranked 27th) and the 21st ranked pass defense (NY 15th).  However, I don't think that means you create a game plan that purposely avoids or minimizes the run (not saying you were insinuating that).  I think it is critical to keep plugging away to keep them honest and not turning one dimensional making their job much easier to defend against us.  We also have one of if not THE top OLs in the league that thrive in the run game (plus we have some excellent run blockers at the skill positions in Goedert and Pascal) ... a large part is merely a matter of imposing your will upon them.  That will also play a large part in maximizing TOP and the extra time on the field will hopefully begin to wear down their defense opening up the running game even more.  I don't want to see a pass heavy attack where TOP is heavily in their favor in much the same way it was against Washington (game 2) and NO.  

The Washington game was an outlier.  Freak pick on a pass right in AJ's hands.  Plus Jordan Davis was out and the run D suffered.  That game precipitated the Eagles' signing of Livnal Josephh and Suh, so there was some good that came out of it.

On 1/26/2023 at 7:19 PM, Portyansky said:

Running game effectiveness is gonna come down to Hurts. SF hasn't played a true mobile QB all year. Could make the case for Fields, but that was week one before he started actually using his legs.

Niners lost that game, as they also did to the Broncos.  The team record against mobile QB's is spotty.