3 rushing attacks the Philadelphia Eagles defense can stifle in 2022

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 26: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants is tackled by Fletcher Cox #91 and Marcus Epps #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 26: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants is tackled by Fletcher Cox #91 and Marcus Epps #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next

The Eagles face three teams in 2022 who struggled to move the ball on the ground last season.

The Philadelphia Eagles had the top rushing attack in terms of total yards in 2021 with 2,715 big ones. What’s scary is they could certainly put up top numbers again during the 2022-2023 campaign with Miles Sanders and Jalen Hurts leading the way.

No one wants to see this team shy away from what’s been their strength, but with the duo they have starting outside at wide receiver, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, there’s hope that their dependency on the run lessens and they air the ball out a little more often.

It would also be nice if one of their running backs leads the team in rushing this season. It isn’t wise to keep putting Hurts in harm’s way.

As good as the Eagles were in running the ball last season, they were equally as proficient in stopping the running game of their opponents. It was hard to rack up yards versus Philadelphia’s defense.

As a team, they gave up the ninth-lowest rushing-yards total in 2021 (1,834). Philly’s rushing defense wasn’t without weakness though. They gave up the eighth-most rushing touchdowns last season with 18. Go figure.

This time around, Philly will be aided by a favorable schedule. There are several teams on their regular-season schedule that struggled to move the ball on the ground last year, and many of them seemingly didn’t do enough to upgrade their running back room. Sure, there are other opponents that made moves, but will it be enough? Let’s take a look.

Here are three opponents on the schedule the Eagles’ defensive front should have no problems in bullying.