Welcome to the Philadelphia running back factory

Boston Scott and Jordan Howard combined for three rushing touchdowns, on the same design, to give the Eagles a big lead.

After drafting Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, general manager Howie Roseman stated that when it comes to roster development, the Philadelphia Eagles “want to be a quarterback factory.”

That set sail an armada of memes, including the name of a podcast…

However, while that factory might have stalled production, on Sunday in Detroit the Eagles looked like more of a running back factory against the Lions. With Miles Sanders sidelined with an ankle injury, head coach Nick Sirianni turned to Boston Scott to jump-start a stalled Eagles’ rushing attack.

Whether it was Scott, the Lions defensive front, or a combination thereof, something clicked for Philadelphia.

The Eagles run game looked rejuvenated through the early going on Sunday, allowing Philadelphia to build a 24-point lead through the middle of the third quarter. Scott led the way, carrying the ball 11 times for 56 yards during that stretch and a pair of touchdowns.

The first came on this short touchdown plunge to give the visitors the early lead:

Keep this run design in mind as we roll on, for…reasons.

The second of Scott’s touchdowns came midway through the third quarter, on nearly the same exact design, just to the other side of the field:

Also getting into the action? Veteran running back Jordan Howard, who chipped in with a short touchdown run of his own:

And yes, that is the same formation and design as the two touchdown runs from Scott. A pair of tight ends in a wing alignment to one side, slot to the opposite, and the inside zone look with the quarterback meeting the running back in the backfield at the mesh point.

The success of the ground game has taken a great deal of pressure of quarterback Jalen Hurts. As time ticks away in the third quarter, Hurts has attempted just 12 passes, completing eight for 88 yards. He has also carried the ball for 50 yards on six attempts, including a long of 20 on the day.

In all, the rejuvenated RB factory has built a 24-0 lead in Detroit, and look in good position to salt this game away.