3 Keys to a Philadelphia Eagles win versus Dallas in Week 8
By Hunter Doyle
2. Doug Pederson and the Philadelphia Eagles need to get the run game going.
Outside of a few big runs from Miles Sanders, the Philadelphia Eagles haven’t been too effective running the ball. The offensive line hasn’t been executing and head coach Doug Pederson hasn’t gotten creative with the run scheme at all. Fans are tired of seeing inside zone runs with a fake jet sweep every play. Pederson hasn’t even given the run game much of a chance with Carson Wentz averaging 39.7 pass attempts per game compared to all Eagles running backs averaging just 17.3 rush attempts per game as a group. Miles Sanders was averaging 6.1 yards per rush before his injury but only 10.1 carries per game.
If there was any week for this run game to improve it’s this week. The Cowboys run defense is historically bad. They’ve allowed 11 rushing touchdowns and 1,248 rushing yards on 241 carries (5.2 yards per rush). All of those numbers are in the bottom three of the entire league. Boston Scott could have a day to remember versus this Dallas defense.
The defensive tackle position is awful. They recently cut Dontari Poe and Trysten Hill is on injured reserve leaving them with Antwaun Woods and Neville Gallimore. Outside of DeMarcus Lawrence and Aldon Smith, the defensive line as a whole has been atrocious as well as the front seven. Bringing Mike Nolan and changing to a 3-4 scheme has negatively affected what used to be one of the strengths of this Dallas defense. Jaylon Smith is currently on the trade block as he’s been performing at an unusually low level on a huge contract. There were hopes that Leighton Vander Esch could help to alleviate some of the poor linebacker play but he’s missed seven tackles already.
Not only does Boston Scott have a quick burst of speed once the offensive line creates some space but, as fans have seen, he can also do damage in the passing game. With the Cowboys defense criticizing coaches off the field making business decisions rather than team decisions on the field, Scott could be breaking ankles all night long as well as Jason Huntley. It would be fun to watch Elijah Holyfield bulldozing a run defense like this if he were to get elevated prior to the game.