The Eagles are currently 5-7, beating their win total from last season where they went 4-11-1. After defeating the New Orleans Saints, who have arguably one of the best defenses in the NFL, Jalen Hurts’ lead offense looked like a playoff team. A huge difference in the offensive game plan between the beginning of the season and now is coach Nick Seriani’s willingness to run the ball. 

Despite the absence of star running back Miles Sanders, the Eagles are currently second in the NFL in rushing yards per game, averaging 153.4 yards per game and 211.3 yards over their last 3 games. A major part in this improvement is the Eagles using veteran running back Jordan Howard. In his first game after being called up to the 53-man roster, Howard achieved over 50 yards and 2 touchdowns. This pattern has continued since. Within four games this season, Howard has averaged 68.5 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry, well above the NFL average. 

Now that defenses are occupied by stopping the running backs from hurting them, Jalen Hurts used this to his advantage and utilized his mobility to make big plays for the Eagles. In the last five games, Hurts averaged 63.6 yards per game, putting him up with some of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL. Not only is Hurts running to extend plays, he’s looking to score. Last week, he became the first Eagles quarterback to ever rush for three touchdowns in one game. His athletic ability is just too much for the defense to contain when the Eagles attempt to run the ball as often as they have been recently. 

The threat of running the ball also makes passing easier for the Eagles. Early on in the season, there were many concerns about Hurts’ ability to throw the ball. While there are still some questions, Hurts has greatly improved his skills since the Eagles have been running the ball more often. Obviously, running the ball more means less passing yards, but Hurts has been very efficient with the ball and has been making the correct reads. Over the last five games, Hurts has thrown only ONE (1) interception compared to 4 in the first six games of the season. Hurts has also shown improvement in getting the ball to the Eagles’ playmakers. Over the last three games, former Heisman winner and Eagles’ rookie DeVonta Smith made three touchdowns on 18 total targets, 6 in each game. He’s also averaging exactly 81 yards per game. 

With the end of the season quickly approaching, I think the Eagles should continue to run the ball as much as possible in order to put pressure on the defense and put Jalen Hurts in less difficult situations. With the threat of the running back and quarterback running on any given down and receivers that can make plays when called upon, the Eagles offense could do some major things. With a strong push to end the year, the Eagles could silence all of the haters and sneak their way into the playoffs.