D’Andre Swift can (but won’t) hit 1,000 rushing yards in Week 16

One of the many talented Georgia Bulldogs on the Philadelphia Eagles roster, D’Andre Swift has been an absolute delight so far this season. At various points, we were told that he would experience difficulty in staying healthy for a full season. Some even said his up-side was limited. That’s simply not the case. He has been a wonderful addition to the offense.

Swift has 896 rushing yards on the season as we enter Week 16. That means he needs only104 to reach the 1k milestone for the first time in his career. That is huge for him.

Even if he moves on from the Eagles in 2024, that will increase his value in free agency. You have to be happy for the guy. 

D'Andre Swift is 104 yards shy of eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing threshold, but it won't happen in the coming Eagles game.

Week 16's game is setting up nicely as a showcase for the Eagles' running backs. They should play with a lead, meaning the game script could wind up being run-heavy.

The rushing attack was Philly's lone saving grace in Week 15. These are the 2024 Eagles though, not the 2021 version. There are three reasons he won’t get there... Or, should we say two players and a reason?

1. Kenneth Gainwell

The Eagles are addicted to their possible over-usage of Kenneth Gainwell. It kind of makes sense. He’s the best running back at pass protection, so he gets a lot of snaps in that sense.

They also use him as their red zone tailback. Kenny G is also the team's lone 'bruiser'. They say he has good ball security and they trust him.

A significant amount of playing time will undoubtedly affect Swift's ability to break 100 yards rushing this week.

2. Boston Scott

Yep! This is a game versus the New York Giants, and that means BoSco is going to get his due.

Head coach Nick Sirianni buys into the memes, and if the memes say Boston Scott is the Giant Killer, then Boston Scott is going to be the Giant Killer. We’ll see more of him this week than we have all year. Take him as an anytime TD scorer if you haven't already.

3. Big play hunting

Brian Johnson was asked about his offense at his Friday afternoon press conference. He said one of the things the offense needs to do is create more explosive plays.

The Giants’ defense is porous enough that those big plays are going to be there. If the Eagles want to regain their confidence in hitting on a few, this would be the week to do it.

Unfortunately for Swift, those big plays haven't come from the running game all that often this year. Additionally, big plays mean shorter drives, which means fewer plays, which means fewer Swift runs.

Again, tat leads us back to the original point.

D'Andre Swift will gain 1,000 yards rushing this season but just not this week. He’ll probably hit that mark against Jonathan Gannon’s Arizona Cardinals, which would be sweet vengeance, in some sort of weird way.

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