[jwplayer ktoPBQyq]
The Philadelphia Eagles build from the inside out and the dominating line play on both sides of the ball is a huge reason for the sustained success over the past three seasons.
The Birds enter the 2020 season with huge expectations and the offensive line is a huge reason for the Eagles to be confident regardless of what happens at wide receiver. The Eagles will rely on Miles Sanders at running back and based on a ranking from NFL.com, the second-year running back is slated for success thanks to the offensive line’s penchant for giving that extra push.
Using an advanced metric called expected rushing yards (blocking effectiveness) Sanders averaged a yard or better more than other running backs around the league thanks to the Eagles road-grading offensive line that opened holes upfront at an alarming rate.
Rank
2
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
2019 stats: 4.62 xYPC, 1,782 ERY, -98 RYOE, -0.25 RYOE per attemptOK, listen — I know the Eagles were incredibly banged up last season, and they weren’t exactly trotting out three versions of in-his-prime Terrell Owens in their receiving corps, so their running backs were at a bit of a disadvantage. But let’s take a moment to heap praise on the Eagles’ line, the lone group that remained somewhat intact throughout the season while everyone else took turns in the trainer’s room. Philadelphia performed better in xYPC than its NFC East rival Dallas — logging 4.62 xYPC versus the Cowboys’ 4.16 — it just lacked star ball-carriers to take full advantage (we talked about Sanders above already). The Eagles weren’t the only team with a negative RYOE to land in the top 10 in xYPC, either, with half of the group ending up in the red. But they were the only one of those teams with an offensive line (plus two solid tight ends) good enough to help clear space for what should’ve been over 4.6 yards per carry on average. The loss of guard Brandon Brooks this offseason could be devastating for 2020. Hearing the news of his Achilles injury pained me very much, but the return of Jason Peters in an unfamiliar guard role means the team might be able to weather that storm. Meanwhile, it’s time for Andre Dillard to own the left tackle job he was drafted to take. If the Eagles can stay healthy and find a way to replicate what they did up front in 2019, they should win more than the nine games they took home last season.
The only team better in the NFL last season was the Baltimore Ravens, who with the help of MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, ran the ball more effectively than any team in the league. Bringing Peters back brings some comfort to the unit and if Andre Dillard and Isaac Seumalo can mesh on the left side, Miles Sanders could be in store for a huge rushing season.
[vertical-gallery id=638108]
[lawrence-related id=638272,638255,638257,638249,638241]
