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When the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles last met back in Week 7, Big Blue gained 160 yards on the ground and averaged 7.3 per carry. However, 92 of those yards came courtesy of quarterback Daniel Jones, including a now infamous 80-yard scamper.
Since then, the Giants have really turned the dial up on their running game thanks in part to a rather unique offensive line rotation that has seen rookies Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux factor in heavily.
“The only thing is we’ve just got to do our due diligence this week and just study all those guys up front, no matter who’s in the game. It’s just about doing your job and just executing the scheme defensively,” Eagles head coach Doug Pederson told reporters on Wednesday. “Offensive linemen, defensive linemen, it’s all about the one-on-one matchups and taking care of your job. Our guys, I know, will be prepared, they’ll study all those guys that have been in the rotation and have a plan for each one.”
But it’s not just the offensive linemen who have stepped up for the Giants. The running backs have also played substantially better in recent weeks and a chemistry is being built.
The player who has benefited most from the offensive line rotation is running back Wayne Gallman, who’s found a real rapport with his mates up front. He’s had 10 or more touches in three straight games and in each of those, he’s found his way into the endzone.
Gallman may not be Saquon Barkley, but Pederson recognizes that he presents his own threat. As does Devonta Freeman.
“Wayne, I tell you, he’s an explosive guy, he’s also good out of the backfield,” Pederson said. “It’s a good mix of backs that they’re using – of course, Devonta is kind of the new addition and picking up the system, but a veteran player along with [RB] Dion Lewis. I mean, these guys are three different styles and you’ve got to be prepared for all of them, and then you throw in Daniel Jones.
“They’re doing a lot more of the zone read with him and I think it’s something that has helped their run game, when you have an active quarterback like that that can run. It just adds to your defense – in this case our defense – to be prepared and to just continue to ready keys and be disciplined that way.”
If the Giants wish to finally end their dry streak against the Eagles, it will come on the backs of Gallman, the offensive line and the ground game.
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