Getting a Good Line on the Eagles
The reason the Eagles are having so much success is their strength on both sides of the ball with one of the best combinations of offensive line and defensive line in the NFL.
During Sunday’s 23-14 win against the host Los Angeles Rams, the offensive line was a big reason the Eagles had such a dominant time of possession advantage – 37:55 to 22:05.
The offensive line against the Rams was, left to right, Jordan Maileta, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Sua Opeta and Lane Johnson. Opeta was starting in place of Cam Jurgens, who went on the injured reserve list last week with a foot injury and will miss at least four games.
Still, the offensive line didn’t miss a beat.
The defensive line, even without Fletcher Cox, had another strong game, recording four sacks and putting plenty of pressure on Ram’s QB Matthew Stafford.
One of the big differences has been the play of Haason Reddick. In the first three games he wore a cast after having surgery on his right thumb.
The cast came off before the Eagles’ 34-31 OT win over Washington, a game in which Reddick recorded his first sack of the year. He had two more sacks in the win over the Rams.
(We know Reddick is listed as a linebacker, but we consider him an edge rusher and put him on the defensive line).
Jalen Carter, who had two sacks against the Rams, has been playing like the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Eagles are putting a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Sacks are a nice stat, for sure, but there hasn’t been a quarterback in each of the Eagles’ five wins, who has been comfortable in the pocket.
With dominant play on both lines of scrimmage, the Eagles can beat anybody. They proved it last year during a 14-3 season and Super Bowl appearance and the same is occurring during this year’s 5-0 start.
Another thing the Eagles are good at is showing teams such envied offensive depth.
Tight end Dallas Goedert entered the Rams game with just 13 receptions for 88 yards and no touchdowns in the first four games.
Against the Rams he set the tone early and was getting open all game. Goedert had eight receptions (on nine targets) for 118 yards and a touchdown.
He opened up the field for others in the passing game, especially AJ Brown, who had six receptions for 127 yards.
What is interesting is that DeVonta Smith was held without a catch against the Rams and the Eagles didn’t blink.
We’re sure there will be a narrative this week about getting Smith the ball more, just as there was with Goedert prior to the Rams game.
The Eagles visit the NY Jets on Sunday in a matchup that once looked like a premier attraction. That was before Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles during New York’s season opener.
Now the Eagles will face Zach Wilson, who has slightly improved this season, but still at times seems overwhelmed at running an NFL offense.
That is not the type of QB who should relish facing the Eagles, one of just two unbeaten NFL teams, along with the San Francisco 49ers.
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Author: Marc Narducci
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