Jalen Hurts and the Eagles exposed the Steelers’ defense with one basic concept

The Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts didn’t just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers up in the passing game — they did it over and over with the same basic concept.

The Philadelphia Eagles might just have the most dynamic offense in the NFL. They can expose defenses with one single look, and they did just that against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

Jalen Hurts ended the day with 285 yards through the air, four passing touchdowns, and their running back Miles Sanders rushed for 78 yards and one touchdown.

A lot of their success on offense came from one look in their run-pass-option scheme.

Hurts will have three options once the ball is snapped. Either throw the ball to the bubble screen in the flat, hand it off to Sanders, or tuck it and run it up the gut. They used all three of these options differently throughout the whole entire game and executed them perfectly.

In the first quarter, the Eagles came out with three receivers spread out to one side of the field and a tight end on the line of scrimmage on the other side.

With the Eagles constantly using their tight ends out in space, it was important for the Steelers’ defense to honor the other side. So, they came out with two safeties over the top and the linebackers over the right side of the offense.

In this first play, Hurts was reading the defensive end crashing down. As the defender played the handoff, Hurts kept the ball, resulting in a huge gain.

It was important that the Eagles started off this play call with a quarterback keep. It gave the impression that Hurts would be using his legs throughout the game. This forced the linebackers to honor that.

So, when the Eagles ran this same play again, the Steelers linebackers now separated:

One linebacker went to the flat and one crashed to the middle. When Hurts handed it off to Sanders, he ran between them, resulting in another huge gain.

Now, the next time the Eagles came out in the same look, they added a receiver to the opposite side. This spread out the secondary thin by pulling one of the safeties to the opposite side of the field.

When the Eagles ran the underneath bubble screen, the defense had to have someone else get into the flat, and since the Steelers had to change up the responsibilitied, both defensive backs crashed down, resulting in a busted coverage.

Each time the Eagles ran this same play, the Steelers defense attempted to adjust. So, it was inevitable that they would have miscommunications.

Once again, the Eagles came out with the same play, this time to the opposite side, testing the Steelers’ adjustments and communication.

The receivers showed that same bubble screen underneath, but this time, they fake the blocking to the outside and sent A.J. Brown deep.

The Eagles perfected all the progressions from this one single look, which all stemmed from the Hurts keep in the first quarter.

Hurts had this to say after the game, “You get into a point where you get different looks, and they try and get you, but you just want to try and be ready for all of those looks and have an answer for it. That’s a testament to the preparation and the people I have around me.”

There is no better feeling for an offense when you force a defense to make adjustments and then exposing those adjustments. It seemed like for the entire game the Eagles offense was just one step ahead of the Steelers defense.

This game showed us how deadly the Eagles RPO defense really is! We shouldn’t be surprised when offensive coordinator/play caller Shane Steichen wins the Offensive Assistant coach of the Year — and perhaps a few head coaching opportunities.

11 potential Panthers HC candidates for 2023

We’re still about three months away from figuring out who will lead the Panthers into 2023. But, as of now, here are 11 possible candidates to succeed Matt Rhule.

On Monday, the Carolina Panthers called it quits on Matt Rhule—firing their head coach after an embarrassing three-season run. So, who’s next?

For now, it’s the man you’re about to see on the first slide of this here list. But he won’t be the only name under long-term consideration.

Here are 11 potential candidates who could be named head coach of the Panthers come 2023.

Studs and duds from Eagles 20-17 win over Cardinals in Week 5

Looking at the studs and duds from the Philadelphia Eagles’ 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5

The Eagles remained undefeated after local product Matt Ammendola’s 43-yard field sailed wide right for the Cardinals.

After being outscored in the second quarter, Philadelphia was able to hang on for a 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals to stay one game ahead of the Cowboys and Giants in the NFC East.

With preparation for Dallas starting on Wednesday, here are the studs and duds from Sunday’s win.

Eagles have 4 assistants make a list of 2023 head coaching candidates to watch

The Philadelphia Eagles have four assistant coaches make a list of 2023 head coaching candidates to watch

The 3-0 Eagles are the hottest team in the NFL right now, and with success comes poachers from the opposition looking to lure your best coaches away.

When hiring Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia assembled one of the NFL’s youngest coaching staff, and that dynamic group will soon be broken thanks to their versatility and vast talents.

Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr listed the top 65 potential NFL head coaching candidates for 2023. The Eagles had four assistant coaches on the list, with their offensive coordinator landing the top spot.

Shane steichen impressed with Eagles trio of explosive pass catchers

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen had high praise for A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert as an impressive trio of explosive pass catchers.

The Eagles led the NFL in rushing last season behind the league’s top offensive line, but after trading for A.J. Brown and signing Zach Pascal, the goal is to integrate more downfield passing into the 2022 offense.

That job will fall to Shane Steichen, the team’s offensive coordinator, and chief play caller.

Steichen was asked by Bob Grotz about the excitement of having such a dynamic trio of weapons in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert that can be explosive at all three levels.

“It’s awesome. You know when those guys can touch the ball, they can score it at any point because they’re so explosive. To have three of those guys, I’ve been around some good ones, but those three are really impressive, so to have three of those guys on your team is really good for us.”

Steichen will be tasked with spreading the ball around to a plethora of pass catchers and versatile playmakers.

Anything less than Jalen Hurts improving as a passer and Philadelphia excelling on offense could lead to a change at quarterback and a move at offensive coordinator.

[listicle id=670952]

[listicle id=670929]

[listicle id=670878]

[lawrence-related id=670790,670973,670967,670962,670956]

1 burning question for the Eagles at every offensive position after first week of training camp

One burning question for the Philadelphia Eagles at every offensive position after first week of training camp

The Philadelphia Eagles are roaring towards week two of their 2022 training camp session, and questions still need to be answered.

Jalen Hurts is the unquestioned starter at quarterback, but the situation is murky at the third signal-caller spot behind Gardner Minshew.

The running back room is talented, but who will carry the load for the NFL’s top rushing attack?

These burning questions must be answered after the camp’s first week.

Shane Steichen on what A.J. Brown brings to the Eagles, starting RG battle, and more at OTAs

Shane Steichen on what A.J. Brown brings to the Eagles, starting RG battle, Jalen Hurts improvement, and more at OTAs

The Eagles are sticking to what works on offense, which means a continued dosage of Shane , Steichen, as the team’s primary play caller in 2022.

Even after Philadelphia led the NFL in rushing last season, the Birds will look to increase their downfield passing after acquiring A.J. Brown via trade.

Recently, Steichen met with the media and discussed Browns’ physicality, the battle at right guard, and Jalen Hurt’s progress entering year three with the Eagles.

Shane Steichen to handle the offensive playcalling duties for the Eagles in 2022

With Philadelphia looking to keep Jalen Hurts comfortable at Quarterback, the organization will continue to have OC Shane Steichen call the Eagles’ offensive plays in 2022

The Eagles found their groove on offense after Shane Steichen assumed the role of play caller and with Jalen Hurts finally achieving stability in an offensive system, Nick Sirianni isn’t interested in fixing something that’s not broken.

Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen confirmed that he’ll continue to call the plays in 2022, but the formula and outlook will certainly be different after the addition of A.J. Brown at wide receiver.

“I think last year, we were a new staff and we were evolving as an offense. And so as the season got going on, I ended up taking over more of the play-calling midseason,” Steichen said. “And then, again, Nick has a stamp on every single thing we do. So in the meeting rooms, he has a stamp on everything we do. Every play that’s on that call sheet, he makes sure it’s justified and we’re good to go. So going forward, I’ll be calling the plays next year and we’ll go from there.”

Philadelphia led the NFL in rushing during the 2021 season but finished near the bottom in passing (25th) and last in passing attempts (32nd), a stat that’ll clearly be closely monitored in 2022.

Hurts is playing for his future as a starter and the expectation is that the Eagles will now become a pass dominant offense, that looks to key in on mismatches while featuring several playmakers at the skill positions.

[vertical-gallery id=667231]

[listicle id=667349]

[listicle id=667329]

[lawrence-related id=667422,667419,667394,667400]

6 key offensive adjustments the Eagles have to make entering the playoffs

Using Jet motion, Fly motion, and getting athletes on the move is among 6 adjustments the #Philadelphia #Eagles offense must make entering the #SuperWildCard round of #NFC playoffs

The Eagles are headed to the playoffs just one year after a disappointing 4-12 season that saw Carson Wentz traded and Doug Pederson fired.

Philadelphia will enter the postseason with a quarterback that’s started 19 total games, a head coach and defensive coordinator finishing their first season in leadership positions, and a matchup with defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers.

All teams make adjustments entering the postseason and no team in the tournament will need to make more than the Eagles.

Here are six postseason adjustments the Birds need to make.

5 adjustments the Eagles offense must make in 2nd half of 2021 season

5 changes or adjustments the Philadelphia Eagles offense must make in 2nd half of 2021 season

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=DYdejfL88o-1615785-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

The 4-6 Eagles are rolling on offense, getting more disciplined on defense, and looking like a team that could make a playoff run.

With 7 games in 8 weeks, Philadelphia is more than halfway through the season and set to get both Miles Sanders and Brandon Brooks back in the near future.

Here are five changes or adjustments the Eagles’ offense must make in the second half of the season.