Eagles Hitting Critical Part of Season
To say that the Eagles dropped the ball on Sunday against the Patriots is a huge understatement both literally and figuratively.
With a win, the Eagles would have stayed on pace with the Cowboys, who pulled out a close win in Detroit. Instead, the Eagles are now once again a game behind the Cowboys in the NFC East.
Many people are not worried and still, say the division is in reach for the Eagles because of the Cowboys’ tough stretch of games ahead and the Eagles relatively weak schedule moving forward. They point to the December 22nd showdown between the Eagles and the Cowboys as the game that will decide the division.
As much as Eagles fans hate to admit it the Dallas Cowboys are a competent football team. The combination of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot, and Amari Cooper is driving them to success. The Dallas offense is averaging 332.1 yards through the air and 131.9 yards on the ground per game.
Compare that with the Eagles offense who is averaging over one hundred yards less through the air, sitting at just under 230 receiving yards per game. It is clear to see why Dallas is ahead in the division.
For December 22nd to have any meaning, the Eagles will have to continue and improve upon two things.
First, the Eagles must continue to rely on the running game. It is not ideal that Jordan Howard is currently out, however relying on rookie Miles Sanders is the way the Eagles need to go until Howard returns. Miles Sanders has the big-play ability in both the running and passing game as seen this season in games against Green Bay, Minnesota, and Buffalo to name a few. To rely on Boston Scott over Sanders like Head Coach Doug Pederson did against the Patriots would be foolish.
Secondly, the Eagles defense needs to continue to play at a high level. Ever since Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby returned to the line up the defense has gained new life. The Eagles pass defense in the last three games has allowed one quarterback to throw for over 200 yards. The pass rush that was nowhere to be found early in the year is turning up the heat at the right time and putting pressure constantly on quarterbacks.
The path to the playoffs at the moment relies on the Eagles getting to their second match-up with the Cowboys.
With teams like the Dolphins, Giants, and Redskins on the horizon, the Eagles should put themselves in a good position to make it to December 22nd. However, if there is one thing this team has proven this season, it is they do not make things easy.
Featured Image: Matt Rourke, AP Photo All Stats are sourced from Pro Football Reference
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