PLAYOFF FOOTBALL IS HERE!!! Literally HERE. In Philadelphia, tomorrow. Even better, we’ll have QB Jalen Hurts back; and he’ll be leading an Offense that still managed 61 points in two games without him.
This week we get a Packers team that we already beat once this season. That was despite giving them four turnovers, and having to mount a comeback for the win. We however, aren’t likely to be as mistake prone this week, as we were in Week One, after not playing our starters at all in the preseason.
With a win, we move onto the Divisional Round, in a game that would also be played in Philly.
With a loss, we’re cleaning out our lockers.
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The point of Four Thingsisn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Packers.
WR A.J. Brown scoring on a 67 yard pass
1) Use Lots of Play-Action, Early:In our last meeting, RB Saquon Barkleykilled the Packers, so they’ll be looking to not let that happen again. Seeing an eight man front should immediately trigger a call to either play-action or an actual run. The idea being, to open up downfield opportunities, and possibly score early and easily.
2) Bottle Up Their Inside Run: The idea isn’t to shut down their run game, just to make it an unreliable contributor. We want to put the whole game on their young QB, and the elbow of his passing arm, which he fell on last week.
LB Zack Baun getting a sack, but our D-Line has to get us more pressure in this next meeting.
3) Get Hits On Their QB: If we get shots on their QB early, the Packers coaching staff will adjust to protect him better. That means more blockers, and thus fewer receivers. That will make life easier for our Secondary. Hits will also speed up how fast the ball leaves their QB’s hand. If we can convert just one or two of those rushed throws into turnover, it will help us pin this win down.
4) No Weird Shit:Don’t turn the ball over four times. Don’t miss more than one field goal. Don’t hit the friggin crossbar on any kick attempt. No drop-kicks. Just no weird shit in this one. Keep the game manageable, and in front of us.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
We have a million reasons to be confident about this one. That said, they are a playoff team, and based on that, they deserve our respect, and careful consideration.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
Drive Killer: S Sydney Brown (TD: 0/Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops:0 / FF: 0)
Sack Leader: NONE (Sacks: / FF: / Tackles: )
Special Teams Ace: N/A
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: GIANTS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
TE E.J. Jenkins catches his first NFL pass, and it’s for a touchdown.
1) Two Long Looks: The first look was supposed to be of McKee, and we got that. He looked in control and in command at all times. At no point did he ever seem flustered. Even when he had to corral two high snaps. He put up 269 and 2 scores with back-up receivers, behind a back-up O-line, with no run support, against starters. He has a few things to clean up, but McKee is legit.
The other long look was WR Johnny Wilson (5 – 3 – 24 – 8.0 – 0). He played 65 snaps (96%), but was wholly unremarkable. (DONE)
2) Give Elliott Some Practice:K Jake Elliottwas 2/3 kicking field goals. Sadly, his miss was from just 39 yards away. So he got some work, but I don’t know if that helped at all. (DONE)
3) Make It Make Sense: The idea was to get a look at what WR Jahan Dotson would do with 4 or more targets. What he did was lead the team in targets (11), catches (7), and receiving yardage (94). With zero drops.
WR Jahan Dotson.
Dotson did this with a third string QB, versus a starting secondary. This only points out that there’s been no good reason on Earth, why he shouldn’t already be a larger part of this Offense. Someone needs to get their shit together. (DONE)
4) Value Combo Players: I was looking at a few players, but CB Isaiah Rodgers(2 tackles) was the player I’d mentioned in FT. I was hoping to see some value in him as a kick returner. What he showed were two returns, one for 24 yards, the other for 51. That’s an average of 37.5 yards. Not bad. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was a perfect 4 of 4, which is a perfect way to close out the regular season. Now, onto the playoffs, to send the Packers, packing up for their offseason!
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Game Hero: QB Tanner McKee – Given his lack of support from the run game, McKee had to carry the Offense. No fancy runs. No 4th down punt fakes. Just a straight-forward, pocket passer carving up a defense.
Game goat: The Running Backs – Before we come down too hard on our back-up O-Line, consider that our two principle RB’s in this game, have been lackluster runners this entire season. Even behind the starting line. The fact is, we don’t have any depth to take seriously at this position.
On The Whole:
S Sydney Brown seals the game with an interception
We got the sweep, and we got to thoroughly out-class a division rival. That said, our inability to generate even a single sack, was a concern. It also needs to be said that everyone who’s played MLB for us this year has looked pretty good. Oren Burks(17 – 0 – 0 – 0) wore the green dot, and did a good job managing it. It makes me wonder if Zack Baun (DNP) is mostly a product of the system here. Not for nothing, but I think Jeremiah Trotter Jr(11 – 0 – 0 – 0) looked pretty good out there as well.
CAN’T win ‘em all. You should however, win the ones where you pull five turnovers from your opponent. Speaking of five turnovers, that’s how many we collected the last time we saw this week’s opponent. MLB Zack Baunwas in on three of those. A repeat performance would be awesome, as we go for the sweep.
The Cowboys don’t do a good job of scoring points, and our Defense is pretty good at not giving points up. So if both teams show our true colors, this one should be a walk for the Eagles, even without QBJalen Hurtsthis week, due to concussion.
A win will see us improve to 13 – 3, complete the sweep of the Cowboys, and clinch the NFC East crown. It will also technically keep us alive for the #1 seed in the Conference.
A loss will hold us at 12 – 4, but we can still clinch the NFC East, if Washington finds a way to lose to Cleveland. Highly unlikely? Yes. Impossible? N- Yes. Yes it’s impossible. Who are we kidding? We’ll have to win to clinch.
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The point of Four Thingsisn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots ofMan Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Cowboys
1) Establish the Pass Immediately: Last week after Hurts went down, the Commanders sensed that QB Kenny Pickett couldn’t hurt them as a passer, so they started selling out against the run. We became one dimensional and produced just 5 field goal attempts (4 makes) in three quarters of football. That can’t happen again.
Pickett cannot rely solely on Slants, Crosses, and Hooks this week. All of those routes can be played from a loaded box. The ball has to find the TE and Slot WR this week, in order to stretch the box laterally and open up running lanes inside.
2) Lean On the Run: Last time we faced the Cowboys, I suggested lightening RB Saquon Barkley’s load. We did that and it worked. That would be the wrong approach this time. We’re an Offense in a tight spot. This is where it’s important to have an identity and know what it is. Our identity is running the ball. Let’s not get cute.
Running the ball will also set up play-action, which MUST be employed this week to create space in the pocket for Pickett. Screens are not the same as running the ball, despite what many offensive coordinators seem to think.
3) Take Away Anything Simple: Keep the coverage muddy underneath and force their QB to throw the ball deeper than he usually does. He’s a bright guy and he reads well, but he doesn’t have the arm strength to reliably deliver what his eyes see downfield.
We may have to live with a few big plays, but on average, him taking shots, benefits us more. He is also not fleet of foot. If he’s holding the ball, then the pass rush has time to impact the game, by impacting him.
4) Use Five Man Fronts:Recently the Cowboys have found confidence running the ball vs bad teams. They are likely to try their hand at it with us this week. Get into some five man fronts and shut that shit down tout de suite. That same front can be used to eliminate the frequent double teams on DT Jalen Carter.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
This week revolves around how well we support Kenny Pickett. Last week he was thrown into live fire, but this week is still his first start of the season. He will not be capable of elite play, so it’s ridiculous to expect it. Hell, he had never been that guy before we signed him.
What I’m hoping to see more from him, is play-action and TE. Play-action and Slot. A couple of gutsy scrambles up the middle. We also need to attempt at least one Brotherly Shove with him. If teams think that we won’t run our “unstoppable play” when Hurts is out, it will paint a MASSIVE target on him. We can’t have that on the doorstep of the playoffs.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 4/5 FG (50), 3/3 XP
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: COMMANDERSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Gas Their Defensive Line: We started out doing this and it was working like a charm. Then we lost our starting QB, and our back-up proved to be no threat passing the ball. The Commanders simply loaded the box, and overwhelmed the running lanes.
QB Jalen Hurts lost to a concussion
I don’t want to say that we didn’t do this, when we were CLEARLY doing it at the start. However, I said in Four Things: “It’s not about how we start. It’s about how we finish.” Well, we didn’t manage to erode their front. (NOT DONE)
2) Don’t Miss Seven Points On Kicks: While Jake Elliott did miss three points on the one kick (from 56), he made 4 of 5, including his first from 50 this year. Despite it being a three point loss, this game can in no way be laid at his feet (foot?). The Defense allowed 36 points in this one. So leave Jake alone. (DONE)
3) Take Away Quick Reads: It seemed like when we did this, all we did was open up room for their QB to run. (He had 81 yards on 9 carries.) Our pass rush simply didn’t do a good enough job of containing him. Good to spot that weakness now, but not a good one to have. (NOT DONE)
4) Jump A Couple First Half Passes:We got all over this! CB Darius “Big Play” Slay(7 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) broke up 2 first half passes and S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (1 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) intercepted a pass in the second quarter. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was 2 of 4. Next week we’re back home playing host the Dallas Cowboys.
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RB Saquon Barkley rips a 68 yard TD run
Game Hero: RB Saquon Barkley – Helped put us up 21 – 7 by the end of the first quarter. Two of those scores came after starting QB Jalen Hurts(1/4 – 25.0% – 11 – 0 – 0 / 3 – 41 – 13.6 – 0 – 0), was knocked from the game with a concussion.
Game goat:Head Coach Nick Sirianni – For three quarters, all that the Offense could muster was 4 field goals. Once Washington realized that QB Kenny Pickett wasn’t a threat as a passer, they loaded the box to stall our one dimensional attack.
As an offensive coach, to not have his back-up QB prepared to play, is egregious. It’s egregious, salacious, it’s downright preposterous!
On The Whole:
Weird shit, like this 12 Men On The Field penalty, which became a free play TD, is the sort of fluke thing that keeps me from being worried about the Eagles.
You may recall that I said this in FT: “We should run the table here. BUT, if there is going to be a loss in any of these next three division games, let it be this one.
Think back to the Monday night game on 11/14/22. We lost 21 – 32 to an inferior Commanders team, and at first, we were a little pissed about it. But the(n)we thought about it, talked about it, and as fans we came to call it “a good loss” because we felt it humbled us, and taught us valuable lessons. Turns out we were right, and we rode those lessons to a Super Bowl appearance.
I don’t think we need any lessons, but this is the only game in the next three, that has any form of possible lesson embedded in it.”
Hey! What can I say? This loss doesn’t have me panicked. Quite the opposite in fact! In a couple of months, we just might be thanking Washington for the wake-up call.
Drive Killer: CB Darius Slay (TD: 0/Int: 0/ FR: 1/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: OLBNolan Smith (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 3)
Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 2/2 FG 3/3 XP
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: STEELERS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Run Behind Becton:The Eagles didn’t run much behind RG Mekhi Becton, but that’s fine, because we weren’t finding much success there anyway. Man, did I swing and miss with this one! (NOT DONE)
2) More Big Fella: I mentioned how we’ve been running DT Jalen Carter (2 tackles) into the ground, with the number and percentage of snaps that we play him. This week he still had a high percentage (91), but his number of actual snaps were low (39), well under his average of 52 per game.
DT Milton Williams, DT Jordan Davis and S Reed Blankenship, stop by to say “hi”
My suggestion for getting Carter rest, was playing DT Jordan Davis (1 tackle) for at least 40% of the snaps in this game. Well at 18 snaps, that put Davis at 42% for the first time since our loss at Tampa Bay. The result was a Steelers team that ran the ball 17 times for 56 yards (3.2ypc), and a fumble. Some more of this please! (DONE)
CB Darius Slay recovers a fumble
3) Set the Edges:The Steelers repeatedly tried to get to the edge with their rushing attempts. Unfortunately for them, all they found out there, were Eagles jerseys and fumbles. Again, we gave up just 56 rushing yards for the WHOLE game! To the STEELERS! And this is a good Steelers team. They came in 10 – 3, leading their division! Yet we absolutely punked and bullied that team up front. (DONE)
4) Punish Their Single-high Coverage:Hurts made a point of punishing the Steelers when they were in this coverage. He sprinkled five deep shots throughout the game, completing three. The best one was the first one. A 22 yard strike to TE Grant Calcaterra (1 – 1 – 22 – 22.0 – 0), that set the tone for our Offense.
The Eagles managed SIX passing plays of of 20 or more yards, due to a few balls that were completed just beyond the box area. Allowing us to still take advantage of their coverage, since defenders were not in place to to cover, because they were playing the run. The result was not one, but TWO 100 yard WR’s. Good stuff! (DONE)
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This week’s Four Thingsscore was3 of 4, and the score reflects it. Especially on Defense. We’re going to need some of that mojo when Washington shows up on Sunday. The keys we used to beat them a few weeks ago, won’t work this time. We’ll need a whole new plan.
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Game Hero: Jalen Hurts – Accounting for 335 yards (290 passing, 45 rushing) and 3 scores (2 passing, 1 rushing), counts as carrying your team to victory. In recent weeks Hurts hasn’t really been driving the car. He’s been a passenger seat navigator. Not driving, but consistently contributing.
This week Hurts was asked to drive again. To his credit, he made it clear that despite his obvious and seemingly non-evolving flaws, he’s still one of the NFL’s more dangerous weapons.
Game goat: Special Teams Co-ordinator Michael Clay– Why on Earth, is CB Cooper DeJean (1 tackle) out there returning punts (3 – 23 – 9.6 – 0)!? As a regular defender, he has no business wearing a bull’s eye on a kick return of any sort.
Understand, this isn’t me lamenting the fumble that he lost. I don’t blame him for doing poorly, in a position that he should never have been placed in. His straight line speed is fine, but he is NOT elusive at the NFL level. Playing DeJean at PR is just an attempt to get him killed. And I 100% blame Clay for this.
On The Whole:
This week however, while national media wanted to try to make a story out of the players, I think the real story, was the offensive coaching staff feeling put on the spot by their own players. So this game was given a passing motif, as much to send a message to their own players, as any fan or pundit, or upcoming opponent.
Much will be made about the great job that we’re doing on Defense, and deservedly so. However, the offensive coaching staff just put the league on notice. The point was made against yet another physical, playoff caliber team, that the Eagles can hurt you any way we chose.
What’s more, when we have you torn and bleeding at the end of a 10 minute drive, with first and goal inside the 10… We can take a knee and mercy kill you. Folks, our Eagles team IS the monster under the bed. And we are 100% real.
LAST week we clinched a playoff spot. It wasn’t our best showing, but we didn’t panic, or point fingers. We just stayed at it, got the “W”, and then set-up to get this next one. This week’s opponent doesn’t have any glaring or obvious weaknesses. That means our stars like QBJalen Hurts, RB Saquon Barkley, WRA.J. Brown; as well as DT Jalen Carter, LB Zack Baun, and CB Darius “Big Play” Slay, are going to have to keep the troops focused and in the moment.
A win gets us to 12 – 2. Couple that with a Washington loss to New Orleans, and we would clinch the division. However, if Washington also wins, then we have to hold the confetti.
A loss would hold us to 11 – 3. It would also add significance to the upcoming row of division games for us.
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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Steelers
1) Run Behind Becton: The Steelers list themselves as a 3-4, but often present as a 4-3 with OLB T.J. Watt playing as a DE. Doesn’t matter what it is, or what it looks like. We need to beat on it. If they want to line-up a 250 pound LB directly across from our 320 pound RT Lane Johnson, we should run the ball that way.
What does that have to do with RG Mekhi Becton? If we run tosses and pitches behind Johnson, Watt gets to use speed to go around Johnson. However, if the runs go behind Becton, Watt has to put himself in Johnson’s cross-hairs to help make a tackle. Let Lane spend the day beating on a man 70 pounds smaller, to reduce his impact on the game.
2) More Big Fella: We’ve been running Jalen Carter into the ground. Against Washington, he played 100% of the 66 snaps. Since then it’s been 54 (84%), 71 (99%), and 64 (90%) vs Carolina. Most of this is vs double teams. If we want him to have anything left for the playoffs, we need to start subbing him out more.
On the flip-side, DT Jordan Davis hasn’t played 40% of snaps in any game, since our loss to Tampa. If he were 34 years old, I’d get it. But he’s a 24 year old, first round pick, in his third year. He can’t be productive on the bench, playing just 3 in every 10 snaps.
DT Jordan Davis runs over a Carr (QB Derek in N.O.)
What does any of that have to do with the Steelers specifically? They’re a physical, running team. Especially in a week where their number one WR will either be out with an injury, or not quite his actual self. Davis’s 6’6 frame and long arms, will also create vision issues for the Steelers 5’10” QB. Use this!
3) Set the Edges: We’ve been pretty bad at this lately, and have allowed 108 rushing yards to QB’s in the last two games. We have too much speed on the outside for this to be happening. The problem is that, our DE’s aren’t setting the edges. They are instead crashing down, and then being easily blocked out of the plays.
Playing the run on the way to the QB. That’s an old piece of NFL wisdom, and this is where we really miss DE Brandon Graham. Our younger Edge guys don’t do this. Instead, they strictly hunt QB’s, overrun the play, give up contain, and allow QB’s to improvise and rescue plays. This needs to stop.
4) Punish Their Single-high Coverage:Single-high means one S in deep middle coverage splitting the field into left and right halves. The other S will be playing close to, or in the box. What that means is, at least one WR will be in true one-on-one, vs this coverage. If that deep S declares that he’s leaning left or right, the read is to go deep the opposite way.
We can’t of course do this every time they come out in Single-high, but we can go to ths well more than just once or twice. And we should.
WR A.J. Brown had THREE touchdown catches in this 2022 game
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
I expect a better more focused Eagles team than we saw last week. While I don’t think the players were looking past the Panthers, I firmly believe that they didn’t really get “up” for them either. This is different. This is bragging rights, vs a playoff caliber opponent, while defending home turf.
This is also an opportunity to change the narrative from media click-bait, to serious discussions about this team’s role in this year’s playoffs. Last time we faced the Steelers, the Eagles needed to make statement to the world. Two years later and here we are again.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
Special Teams Ace: WRJahan Dotson (1 – 1 – 7 – 7.0 – 0) Onside recovery to seal game
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for theseFour Thingsarticles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: RAVENSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Control the Tackle Box: As prescribed, our Defensive Line didn’t get blown off the line of scrimmage. In fact, it as it was DT Jordan Davis (2 tackles) that spent most of the game getting double-teamed, DT Jalen Carter practically lived in the Ravens backfield with 3 of his 4 tackles being for a loss, including him blowing up a Jet Sweep on his own.
DT Jalen Carter blows up a Jet Sweep
We also did a solid job of setting the edges and bottling the runs inside. Maybe a little too good, as we ended up being gashed for a couple of RB Screens. But the adjustment was made on that, to the tune of rookie NCB Cooper DeJean de-cleating the Ravens 250 pound, starting RB. (DONE)
2) Unleash Goedert:We came out and punted FOUR TIMES, before Jalen Hurts attempted a pass to TE Dallas Goedert (4 – 3 – 35 – 11.6 – 1). It was good for a 17 yard touchdown and the Offense opened up from there. That pass didn’t happen until Goedert collided with the Ravens star S, who then had to be checked for a concussion.
It shouldn’t have to take nearly K.O.ing a guy, to get the QB to look Goedert’s way.
However, once that did, the complexion of the game slanted. The best example happened on RB Saquon Barkley’s 25 yard touchdown run: Goedert was lined up on the left side of LT Jordan Mialata. The ball was snapped. The hand-off went to Barkley who stepped right, going behind RG Mekhi Becton and disappearing into the swirling mass of Humanity. Ravens LB #23 Trenton Simpson (4 tackles) who was lined up in the box, doesn’t flow to his left to follow Barkley. Instead, he steps down and to his right, in the direction of a blocking Goedert. This ensures no back-side pursuit, and 25 yards later it’s Saquon and taxes. .
Once Goedert was established as a threat, the Ravens had to deal with him. Which made life easier for the entire Offense. We took our time getting around to it, but we got it (DONE)
3) Keep Our Linebackers Clean: Brother, the Ravens offensive line had more than they could handle up front with our Defensive Line. This let LB Nakobe Dean (10 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) and LB Zack Baun (13 – 1.0 – 0 – 1) bring two arms to their tackles, and not get dragged around by a RB bigger than either of them.
LB Zack Baun brings down RB Derrick Henry for a loss
We used some 5 – 2 alignments early, but shifted out of it later in the game, as our four man line proved able enough at clogging running lanes and keeping the opposing RBs trapped behind thetrash.(DONE)
4) Take Deep Shots Early: We took one early to WR A.J. Brown, and then backed away from any hint of a downfield passing attack. Part of it felt like the Eagles couldn’t force the issue with WR DeVonta Smithbeing out; but part of it feels like trying to preserve Brown, in a game that featured just 21 dropbacks compared to 24 hand-offs. There were also 9 QB runs, but those runs have to be thought of as a third category. (NOT DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was 3 of 4. We got off to a slow start with the Offensive stuff, but on Defense we were killing it from the door. Next week we host a Carolina team, that recently has forgotten that they are doormats. It’s time someone reminded them.
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Game Hero: The Defense – Our Offense couldn’t muster a single point in two of the four quarters in this game. We opened up with four straight punts and our QB started 0/4 passing. The last 7 of the Ravens 19 points were garbage time cosmetics, in a half of football, that saw them essentially shutout when the game was still in question. Keep in mind this was done without the Defense garnering a single turnover. S Tristin McCollum almost had one, on a 4th down pass break-up.
Game goat: The Officiating – I am amazed at how the most penalized team in the league, played us so cleanly! And I would have liked to see a replay of the Ravens QB’s 39 yard run, which somehow resulted in a flag being picked up. Dear NFL, why no replay after a 39 yard run??? Is this a new policy?
On The Whole:
This game was a measuring stick, to assess whether or not the 2024 Eagles, are really a deep playoff caliber team. We answered that with a resounding FUCK YEAH!!
We out-ran, out-tackled, out-toughed, and flat out-played the Ravens in their OWN HOME. Save for a garbage time run, that should have been brought back by penalty, we shut this team out of an entire half of the game. The second half. You know, the important one.
And don’t ask me about the Barkley/Henry MVP match-up. I think we tucked that baby neatly into a crib, and shot him into space. Man, we even had two kicks downed inside the five, by two different players. So even Special Teams was crackling with energy.
The slow offensive starts have to be resolved, but I’m not sure what can be done to make that happen. As Barkley surges to prominence, it almost seems like Hurts is sleepwalking more and more. Poise is one thing, but a lack of urgency is quite another.
We’re a deep playoff team, but if a team can jump on us 14 – 0 like the Buccaneers did, (our loss 16 – 33), we’re in trouble.
Side note: For what it’s worth, I didn’t like the look in A.J. Brown’s eyes, during his post-game interview at his locker. He said all the right things, but… I’ll let you look it up for yourself. You tell me.
THAT Rams game was a statement win. Despite missing WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), the Eagles still scored nearly 40 points, while rushing for over 300 yards, and even got 100 yards and a TD from WR A.J. Brown.
If we get Smith back, we just might end up terrorizing this week’s opponent, as they are the second worst pass defense in the entire league. Their problem isn’t a lack of talent or experience. It’s a fatal flaw built into the very structure of their defensive philosophy, and it has reared it’s head in each of their four losses.
This is a measuring stick game. This game will tell us that we are either ready for a deep playoff run; or it will tell us what needs tightening up, before the playoffs start. Win or lose, we needed a game like this.
A win raises us to 10 – 2, and ensures that we will hold the division lead, at least until our Week 16 re-match with Washington.
A loss would stall us at 9 – 3. We would however, still enjoy a 2 game in-division cushion over Washington.
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The point of Four Thingsisn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; andTackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Ravens
1) Control the Tackle Box:We have to make sure that two keys happen against the Ravens offensive line. The first key, is not allowing the middle of our Defensive Line to get blown off the Line of Scrimmage. With DT Jalen Carter getting double-teamed a lot, we’re going to need DT Jordan Davis to blow up a couple of inside runs.
The second key, is setting the edge. This will also help contain QB scrambles, and any Jet Sweep action. Setting the edge is where we are going to miss DE Brandon Graham (I.R.), the most. If we do both of those things, we’ll congest the running lanes and make it harder for them on the ground.
2) Unleash Goedert: The Ravens play a 3 – 4 defense, and their primary pass rush comes from their OLB’s. It’s a fatal flaw built into the very structure of the Raven’s philosophy of defense. That plays right into the Kerrigan Plan(if don’t know what that is already, click that link), and TE Dallas Goedertis exactly the man to execute that plan.
For a TE to be disruptive to the Ravens, he doesn’t need a bunch of yards or catches. He just needs to be important enough to the offense, that the Ravens have to pull an ILB to the outside, or keep a S over the TE. Either of these moves will weaken interior of the box. And you know what happens if the box is loose! Ohhh, say can you ‘quon…
Just get Goedert going early. He doesn’t need to finish the day with a ton of stats. We just need to force the Ravens to cover him. Or, if they choose not to, let him keep doing damage. We don’t need specific numbers from him, but you’ll recognize his impact if the interior run game looks good.
3) Keep Our Linebackers Clean: Tackling the Ravens RB will be a chore. Especially if he gets up a head of steam. Fortunately for us, he’s really big, at roughly 250 pounds. So he won’t fit through the smaller holes, and we can trap him in the trash on early downs, to help set up third and longs.
However, for those downs when he does see a decent hole, we need LB Nakobe Dean and LB Zack Baunto meet him in those holes. So blockers have to be kept off of them, so that they can see, and bring both arms cleanly to their tackle attempts. That might mean using more of the 5 – 2 alignment than we have been recently.
4) Take Deep Shots Early: To make Goedert more effective, and thereby open up the run, we need to get the ball downfield. That will clear space for the intermediate stuff. It’s not about making the catch (though it would be nice if we do). It’s about making the attempts. So don’t be bummed if a couple of early bombs don’t connect. Those passes are for stabilizing the Offense.
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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
This game is a Test. This is to see if we are Conference Championship game material. While a road win over an 8 – 4 team, would strongly suggest that we are ready for a run; a loss (at this point in the season), doesn’t mean that we aren’t. It would just be pointing out the things we need to work on.
Understand, right now, as long as we don’t get blown out, either result is a good result, due to the caliber of our competition. Why pad our late season, with bottom-feeder wins? That’s what the Cowboys do, and what happens to them in the playoffs? Like clockwork, you can almost set your calendars to Dallas losing in the Divisional round. It should damned near be a holiday!
Look, let’s take this test, and dissect it afterwards. Win or lose. The goal is a parade in February, and this Sunday in December, is an important study tool in helping us to accomplish that.
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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
Sack Leader: DT Milton Williams (Sacks:2.0/ FF: 1/ Tackles: 2)
Special Teams Ace: TE Dallas Goedertonside kick recovery
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: RAMS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Don’t Get Cute:As the second part of this key, I said that TE Dallas Goedert (5 – 4 – 19 – 4.7 – 0) should see eight targets in this game. He didn’t, because we were already killing them with the first part of this key. My exact words were: “We are a running team, and our rushing attack is led by RB Saquon Barkley. Stick to that.”
SHEESH! Did we ever! We ran for 314 yards and 3 TD’s. Our Offensive Line cut off backside pursuits, while providing holes big enough for a motorcycle. Saquon had a 70 yard touchdown run, on the first play of the second half; and a 72 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter. He was hardly touched for either. This is unfair. I love it!(DONE)
2) Send the Dawgs:The Rams tried to scare us early, with their rushing attack. On their first drive, they notched 47 of the 92 rushing yards that they’d get all night. Then we forced a fumble and recovered it, ending that drive. As I said in FT, they can’t make a living on their run game, so they must lean on the pass (17 runs, 38 dropbacks).
DT Milton Williams gets one of his his two sacks here
So the call in FT, was to beat up on the opposing QB. Well, we sacked him four times, and knocked him down a bunch more. He didn’t turn the ball over, but we did get him to fumble, and kept him rattled to the tune of 0 for 8 on third down. (DONE)
3) Get An Early Touchdown:We got just one drive in the first quarter, and it became a field goal. (NOT DONE)
4) Blitz Over Their Right Tackle:I don’t recall a single edge blitz in this game. When we did blitz, it was through the middle. We didn’t really need to bring extra bodies, since our Front Four were doing such an effective job. (NOT DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was 2 of 4. We need to solve our first quarter scoring issue. We can’t have a serious discussion about a deep playoff run, if we don’t. Playoff caliber teams will make short work of us.
Speaking of playoff caliber teams, our next match-up is a measuring stick against one. Specifically the Baltimore Ravens, who come in with the NFL’s #2 rusher. Take a guess at who’s #1.
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Game Hero: RB Saquon Barkley – (Admit it. That segue was Hall Of Fame worthy.) He piled up 255 rushing yards, on 26 carries, vs Hurts 22 pass attempts. He set an Eagles all-time rushing record for a single game, and he even showed off as a receiver (4 – 4 – 47 – 11.7 – 0), bringing his individual yardage total to 302 yards.
Game goat: Injuries – It was bad enough to lose CB Darius Slay (3 tackles) to a concussion; but losing DE Brandon Graham(2 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) to a torn tricep for the remainder of the season, was a stab in the belly. Finding out that the injury could be the epitaph of his career, was just twisting the knife.
On The Whole: Except for a few big plays by the Eagles, this game was largely a fist-fight in a phone-booth. The Rams seemed like they wanted to go toe-to-toe with us on that, but in the end, they simply didn’t have the stamina for it. Once a few of the LB’s were thrown out the club, they seemed to lose the desire to play tough.
Funny thing is, the Eagles were shorthanded with WR DeVonta Smith, out with a hammy. And it didn’t seem to disrupt much. We largely didn’t do anything fancy, and honestly, it felt like we were trying to milk the clock, from the moment we first got the ball.
Drive Killer: S Reed Blankenship (TD: 0/Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: DE Brandon Graham (3way tie) (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 3)
Special Teams Ace: TE Dallas Goedert (5 – 5 – 61 – 12.2 – 0) Onside kick recovery
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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: COMMANDERS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Run ‘Em Down:I said lean on the run. We did it. We ran the ball 40 times and threw it 28. I said do it, even if it’s not working early. We did it. And eventually the Commanders ran out of gas and were gashed for a 23 yard TD, followed by a 39 yard TD run. Those two scores are what won us the game.
C Cam “Beef” Jurgens throws a dude “out the club”, during RB Saquon Barkley’s 39 yard touchdown run, right through the heart of the Washington defense.
I called for 30 non-QB runs in this one, and we hit that number exactly on the head. I said Barkley needs to go over his typical 22 carries and he logged 26. We stuck to our guns in this one, and were rewarded for it in the end. (DONE)
2) Torment Single-high Coverage:We really didn’t get anywhere close to this one. While Washington didn’t give us a lot of Single-high looks, when they did, the routes seemed to shy away from exploiting it. Which is what helped make things more difficult for Saquon early on. (NOT DONE)
3) Hit Their Quarterback: You know what’s hard to heal while playing football, every week? Broken ribs. Especially on a frame without much padding. I had my suspicions that QB Jayden Daniels (22/32 – 68.8% – 191 – 1 – 1) would still look labored while playing and this game absolutely confirmed what I thought.
MLB Zack Baun and S Reed Blankenship force QB Jayden Daniels out of bounds on 4th down, short of the first down.
We sacked him three times, and hit him a bunch more. When he ran the ball, instead of being a weapon, he was almost a liability (7 – 18 – 2.57 – 0 – 0). He also threw a number of passes that hit the ground short of their target. (DONE)
4) Jump A Couple of Short Passes: Oh yeah! LB Zack Baun (14 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) had a nice pass breakup of a crossing route over the middle with a diving swat. And while it wasn’t exactly a “short” route, Reed Blankenship’s interception out of Robber Coverage, was a TEXTBOOK example of jumping a route.
A few more picks like that, and more opposing QB’s will start holding the ball longer, simply because they don’t trust their eyes. This game helped to set a beautiful precedent. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was 3 of 4things. If not for the sluggish start, this game could have been a runaway. Regardless, we got the ‘W’. Now we get a little extra rest, and prepare for the Rams not tomorrow, but the following Sunday night. That’s right, kiddies! It’s a prime time game. So those of us with a gray hair or two, may want to get a nap around 2:00. Wake up around 6 and have some chili. Damn. I have a plan now.
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Game Hero: RB Saquon Barkley – The team kept hammering him into the defense. Not like the slashing blade, but like the pommel of a sword. Beating, and badgering forward, stubbornly. We made it a war of attrition, and we just kept hitting Washington in the ribs.
We worked the body until the head came down, and once it was exposed, Saquon JFK’ed them. Twice. He scored on a 23 yard run off the right side; and a 39 yarder directly through their heart. If I hadn’t already turned off my conscience, I would have felt bad for the poor Redsk- oops! Commanders.
Game goat: K Jake Elliott – (2/4 FG, 2/3 XP) That’s seven points that he LEFT on the field. Three kicks that went wide left of the uprights. Three in a row! It wasn’t particularly windy. His LS and Holder were the same as always. He just was off. And stayed off for too long.
On The Whole: Believe it or not, unlike most, I have not spent the season harping on the team’s slow starts. However….
Look, this is a problem that needs to be solved. We are seven games away from the playoffs. That caliber of team will not just let us up for air, if we find ourselves drowning 3 – 10, in the third quarter. We have got to get better at hurting opponents early.
That said, let’s get to enjoying being in first place.
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