5 Keys to a Philadelphia Eagles win versus Seattle Seahawks in Week 12
By Hunter Doyle
5. The Philadelphia Eagles need to lean on the ground game.
This is unlikely to happen with Pederson still playcalling. However, this piece is not our predictions for the game but rather what we think the Eagles need to do to win. Pederson needs to get back to what this team does best on Monday Night. They need to go at their own pace and run the ball effectively. If they go away from the run, it’ll be the same result as the past two games.
Last year, the Eagles had Andre Dillard and Matt Pryor on the right side at one point and we know how that turned out. With Jason Peters at right guard and Lane Johnson out for the year, Pederson needs to get the ball out of Wentz’s hands quickly and get him comfortable early. Peters and Pryor have shown some capability in the run game. Their run blocking isn’t quite as awful as their pass protection has been. Miles Sanders can make something out of nothing even if they don’t play well. Boston Scott has done well with inside runs and zone reads with Wentz with his quick burst.
Then there’s Jordan Howard who the Eagles could call up from the practice squad for this game. Many fans will point to Philly bringing back Darren Sproles, Corey Clement, and Jay Ajayi in recent years to suggest Howard won’t produce. However, those three running backs suffered severe injuries. Howard had a shoulder injury.
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This year, he got stuck behind a horrendous Miami Dolphins offensive line. Plus, he was only used as a short-yardage back. In his minimal playing time, he put up four touchdowns and six first downs. Even if he has lost a step, the Eagles don’t need Howard to be a superstar. They just need a bruiser for short-yardage situations. He could also help make the second and third down more manageable.
It would’ve been nice to give Elijah Holyfield a shot at that first but for whatever reason, he didn’t even see the field versus Cleveland. The point being, Howard still has a chance to provide what this running back room is missing.