The Eagles Offense Needs to Continue to be Simplified
To much of the football world’s expectations, the Philadelphia Eagles have started the season 2-0. Yet, many people have still been a little surprised about the performances of the Eagles and mainly their offense. Even coming off a 34-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings, more and more people are chiming in about concerns with the Eagles offense. While the Eagles offense should not be written off or discounted, there are clear problems with the way they are playing right now. In the last two games against the Vikings and the New England Patriots, they gave some fits to Jalen Hurts and company. A lot of people may think the answer is to develop more advanced schemes and more unique plays, but the answer for the Eagles was shown in the game against the Vikings. In a simple game, the Eagles talent will win out.
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Jalen Hurts Struggles
While in no way is this an indictment on Jalen Hurts potential career or even season performance, the truth is that he has not seen the field well the last two games. Specifically, in both games Hurts has struggled to deal with the blitz. There were several times the Vikings blitzed, and Jalen Hurts left the pocket too fast and missed opportunities. Hurts has the athleticism to leave the pocket early and make a bad play good, but there have been times against the Patriots and now the Vikings where he missed wide-open receivers. Whether it was Dallas Goedert in the flat, or Devonta Smith across the middle, Hurts must become more comfortable in the offense and the pocket and be less ambitious to run out.
The other defense Hurts struggled against was the three-man rush the Vikings used a lot during last Thursday night’s game. A three-man rush is not typically designed for sacking the quarterback, it’s main use is to put the extra defender in coverage and make the quarterback too ambitious and forceful. This happened with Hurts on his interception in the second quarter, where he made a terrible decision trying to throw to Devonta Smith who was nowhere near open. Other times, Hurts struggled to go through his progressions which led him to take sacks with open receivers on the field. Hurts is clearly not totally comfortable in the offense, and it is going to be a learning curve through the early part of the season. Especially, since other teams have been able to take away the Eagles preferred RPO plays for the most part.
Where Hurts and the Eagles Offense Are Still Great
While Hurts has struggled compared to last season, he still does some great things from game to game. While he has struggled with the blitz, Hurts has made some good plays while being blitzed as well. Particularly on short, simpler curl or in-cutting routes that are easy for him to read and get the ball out fast. Most importantly, the Eagles still are one of if not the best running teams in the NFL. The Eagles struggled to run the ball against the Patriots, but bounced back in a big way with a 260 rushing-yard performance against the Vikings. When the Eagles offensive line can get downhill, they are the best unit in the league. Running the ball is the best option for the team moving forward, but it’s also the best option for Hurts.
An effective running game scares defensive coordinators from blitzing or keeping weak three-man fronts. Not only that, but it makes the safeties take a step or two closer to the line of scrimmage as well, opening up opportunities for A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith deep down the field. And one thing Hurts will always be elite at, is hitting the deep ball. The bottom line is, there’s no reason for the Eagles for the Eagles to be throwing the ball all game or trying to reinvent the wheel. If they play simple, smart football, it’s going to be more than a handful for teams to stop.
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The Eagles Defensive Line Very Well May be Generational
It’s well-known the Eagles defensive line is among the best if not the best in the league. And it may be early to crown them as “generational” after going against two offensive lines that are not looked at as some of the best. But the performance of Jalen Carter, Josh Sweat, and Jordan Davis has been sensational. There may not be a game this season that the defensive line cannot take over or heavily influence. While the secondary of the Eagles is in question, the defensive line is going to be a problem regardless of who they play.
With Bradberry banged up early this season, and a likely season-ending injury to Avonte Maddox, the Eagles will give up points and explosive plays in games. But that defensive line and defense will create just as many turnovers. Which in turn, goes into the notion that the Eagles do not have to be this high-flying, incredibly explosive offense. Keeping it simple and being a run-first team just makes the most sense going forward while Hurts and company gain comfort with Brian Johnson.
The Eagles Offense is “Not in Panic Mode”
Nick Sirianni said it best after the win against the Vikings. “Have the pass numbers been down? Yeah. Does the defense play into that? Of course it does. And fortunately for us, we’re able to win on the ground and we’re able to win in the air. You are able to balance off of what the defense does.” Why would a team that just ran for 259 rushing yards be in a panic? The Eagles still have all the talent and the pieces to get where they want to be. By playing through the run first and foremost, Hurts will be able to get back to his best by the time the season really starts to ramp up.
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Main Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
