Eagles' Self-Scouting Session Laid the Foundation for Success in the Second Half of the Season
The Philadelphia Eagles have reached the halfway point of their season, taking a well-deserved bye week to analyze their performance and devise strategies for improvement. With a 6-2 record, which includes victories over five playoff teams from last year's postseason, it's clear that the team is on track, but there are areas where they can refine their approach.
One key area of focus for the Eagles' coaching staff is developing an effective outside run game. The team finally broke through in Week 8 against the Giants, with Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby both going over 100 yards rushing. This newfound emphasis on running the ball outside has been a welcome change, allowing the ground game to generate push up the middle without relying heavily on the interior line. By continuing to incorporate off-tackle runs and keeping Bigsby involved in the backfield, the Eagles can create more space for their tailbacks to operate.
The offense also needs to speed up its pace to capitalize on its no-huddle strategy. Jalen Hurts has consistently shown an ability to adapt tempo, but the team's average play time has been inconsistent. By picking up the pace and using no-huddle to dictate the flow of the game, the Eagles can prevent opponents from substituting in situational pass rushers and keep their offense on schedule.
In terms of A.J. Brown, the dynamic wide receiver is due for a boost in involvement on designed pass plays. The team has struggled to get him the ball in situations where he can showcase his skills as a receiver, particularly in the intermediary game. By incorporating more variety into Brown's routes and finding ways to get him open, the Eagles can unlock his full potential and create more explosive plays.
On defense, the top priority is figuring out who will fill the role of CB2, a spot that has been a challenge for the team so far this season. With injuries and player development issues plaguing the position, it's clear that the Eagles need to identify a reliable solution. Jakorian Bennett, the cornerback acquired in a trade, could be the answer, but his availability will depend on his health.
Finally, the team's pass rush needs to find its footing as they head into the second half of the season. With key injuries and an injury-prone edge rusher last year, the Eagles have had to rely on blitzing more frequently to generate pressure. But with the return of Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham, as well as other healthy contributors like Jalyx Hunt and Josh Uche, the team has options to find a dominant four-man pass rush. The addition of potential free agents could also bolster this unit.
As the Eagles enter their second half schedule, it's clear that they have laid the foundation for success. By fine-tuning their approach in these key areas, they can continue to climb up the standings and make a deep postseason run.
The Philadelphia Eagles have reached the halfway point of their season, taking a well-deserved bye week to analyze their performance and devise strategies for improvement. With a 6-2 record, which includes victories over five playoff teams from last year's postseason, it's clear that the team is on track, but there are areas where they can refine their approach.
One key area of focus for the Eagles' coaching staff is developing an effective outside run game. The team finally broke through in Week 8 against the Giants, with Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby both going over 100 yards rushing. This newfound emphasis on running the ball outside has been a welcome change, allowing the ground game to generate push up the middle without relying heavily on the interior line. By continuing to incorporate off-tackle runs and keeping Bigsby involved in the backfield, the Eagles can create more space for their tailbacks to operate.
The offense also needs to speed up its pace to capitalize on its no-huddle strategy. Jalen Hurts has consistently shown an ability to adapt tempo, but the team's average play time has been inconsistent. By picking up the pace and using no-huddle to dictate the flow of the game, the Eagles can prevent opponents from substituting in situational pass rushers and keep their offense on schedule.
In terms of A.J. Brown, the dynamic wide receiver is due for a boost in involvement on designed pass plays. The team has struggled to get him the ball in situations where he can showcase his skills as a receiver, particularly in the intermediary game. By incorporating more variety into Brown's routes and finding ways to get him open, the Eagles can unlock his full potential and create more explosive plays.
On defense, the top priority is figuring out who will fill the role of CB2, a spot that has been a challenge for the team so far this season. With injuries and player development issues plaguing the position, it's clear that the Eagles need to identify a reliable solution. Jakorian Bennett, the cornerback acquired in a trade, could be the answer, but his availability will depend on his health.
Finally, the team's pass rush needs to find its footing as they head into the second half of the season. With key injuries and an injury-prone edge rusher last year, the Eagles have had to rely on blitzing more frequently to generate pressure. But with the return of Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham, as well as other healthy contributors like Jalyx Hunt and Josh Uche, the team has options to find a dominant four-man pass rush. The addition of potential free agents could also bolster this unit.
As the Eagles enter their second half schedule, it's clear that they have laid the foundation for success. By fine-tuning their approach in these key areas, they can continue to climb up the standings and make a deep postseason run.