According to Lane Johnson, the Philadelphia Eagles have found their identity.
The 24-hour rule should definitely be in effect, but the Philadelphia Eagles fan base is still buzzing after seeing their team walk into Lambeau Field on Thursday night with plenty of questions surrounding them and walk out with a victory. Lane Johnson believes they came out of that game with an important answer to the questions that were being asked about them.
It took nearly every second of the game clock to get it done, but Philadelphia was able to outlast Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on the road on Thursday Night Football.
The Eagles offense was paced by a deadly, dual-rushing combination of Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard. That rushing attack produced a season-high 176 rushing yards for Philly and starting right tackle Lane Johnson can’t seem to stop smiling about it.
The Eagles perennial All-Pro was feeling himself after Thursday night’s victory and had this to say to NBC Philly’s John Clark. ‘I think we have found our identity’. Johnson’s words must feel like sweet relief to Eagles fans across the Delaware Valley on Friday. This was an Eagles team that desperately needed to identify their strengths and play to them, and Johnson believes they found their spark against Green Bay.
Howard’s performance, in particular, was a historic one. Per NFL Networks James Palmer, Howard became the first player in the Super Bowl era to score two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown in a game at Lambeau Field.
Eagles fans were clamoring for Howard to get more opportunities out of the backfield, and it seems Doug Pederson has taken notice in a big way.
A power-running game paced by Sanders and Howard would take a great deal of pressure off of Carson Wentz in the pocket, and it should give the Eagles a chance to control the clock in each game they play moving forward. This team invested in the running back position for a reason, and they showed exactly what they’re capable of with their new weapons in a must-win game on the road.
If Johnson’s hunch is correct, this could be more than just a season-saving victory for Philadelphia. This could be a crucial turning point in their campaign.