Reasons why Miles Sanders is primed for a huge NFC Championship Game

Miles Sanders has developed into an elusiveness and patient runner, making him a technician and tough to game plan for.

Josh Jacobs’ power and speed are both elite. That helped him become the NFL’s leading rusher in 2022. Miles Sanders relied on a much different style of play, but it didn’t prevent him from crafting one of pro football’s top five rushing seasons.

Miles has developed into one of the game’s more elusive and patient rushers. No longer looking for the home-run carry on every play, the older and wiser Sanders now waits for blocks and plays to develop before deciding where to run and picking his opponents apart.

Check out this masterpiece from the Divisional Round. It’s an excellent example as Miles transforms a two or three-yard run into one of over five yards.

His patience and maneuverability are reminiscent of a young Le’Veon Bell or, dare we say, the Eagles’ all-time leading rusher, LeSean McCoy. The 49ers haven’t seen anyone like this since Week 5, one of Christian McCaffrey‘s final appearances as a Carolina Panther.

In that one, Christian earned 104 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown versus his future teammates. Sanders topped McCaffrey in attempts, rushing yards, and touchdowns during the regular season, and he is no stranger to big games.

During Sanders’ first playoff appearance as a rookie, he helped lead the Eagles’ offense after former quarterback Carson Wentz left the game with a concussion in the first quarter. Miles finished the game as Philadelphia’s leading rusher (14 carries for 69 yards). He also hauled in three receptions, displaying his elusiveness with one of them. His moonwalk-like juke was something that showed just how badly Sanders wants to win in the NFL Playoffs.

The most recent regular season was the best of Miles Sanders’ career: 259 carries, over 1,269 rushing yards, and 11 touchdowns. That’s also the most accomplished season by an Eagles running back since LeSean McCoy eclipsed 1,300 yards in 2014.

His talent, competitiveness, and intelligence have played a huge role in contributing to a team that has a chance to be remembered as the greatest Eagles team ever. It may also earn Sanders quite the payday from the Eagles in March. We’ll see what happens when that time comes.