Eagles' Bye Week Self-Scouting Session Paves Way for Success in Second Half
As the NFL takes a brief pause with Sunday's games, Eagles coaches are using their bye week to self-scout and analyze areas of improvement. With a 6-2 record, including wins over five playoff teams from last season, the team has built a strong foundation. However, they still have some key adjustments to make in order to sustain success.
One area that stands out is the run game, which was revitalized in Week 8 against the Giants. The under-center formations and extra offensive lineman proved beneficial, but more importantly, the Eagles refocused on running the ball outside of the tackles. Outside zones, pin-pull sweeps, and off-tackle runs allowed Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby to find space with lead blockers on the outside, reducing the burden on the interior line. This approach is more sustainable and impactful than relying solely on six-man o-lines.
The offense also needs to speed up its tempo, particularly in the second half of games. No-huddle has been a key factor in keeping opponents off schedule, preventing situational pass rushers from getting on the field at the right times, and wearing down defenses. The Eagles need to get their plays in quicker and take advantage of no-huddle to move the chains more efficiently, which should positively impact their third-down offense.
The team's most dynamic playmaker, A.J. Brown, has been underutilized, particularly on designed pass plays. Brown's biggest strength is his ability to make yards after the catch (YAC), but he hasn't seen enough involvement in intermediary games with routes designed to have him turn upfield. The Eagles need to find better ways to get the ball in Brown's hands and capitalize on his strengths.
The defense, meanwhile, needs to figure out its best option at cornerback 2. The team has made some recent moves, including trading for Jaire Alexander, but it remains to be seen whether this will pay off. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio needs to find a reliable corner to pair with Jakorian Bennett, who has shown promise in training camp.
Finally, the four-man pass rush is an area where the Eagles can make a significant impact. With the return of Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham, Fangio's edge rush is set to get a boost. However, finding the best combination of players to shore up this unit will be key to disrupting quarterbacks and keeping offenses off balance.
If the Eagles can address these areas of improvement, they'll be well on their way to sustained success in the second half of the season.
As the NFL takes a brief pause with Sunday's games, Eagles coaches are using their bye week to self-scout and analyze areas of improvement. With a 6-2 record, including wins over five playoff teams from last season, the team has built a strong foundation. However, they still have some key adjustments to make in order to sustain success.
One area that stands out is the run game, which was revitalized in Week 8 against the Giants. The under-center formations and extra offensive lineman proved beneficial, but more importantly, the Eagles refocused on running the ball outside of the tackles. Outside zones, pin-pull sweeps, and off-tackle runs allowed Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby to find space with lead blockers on the outside, reducing the burden on the interior line. This approach is more sustainable and impactful than relying solely on six-man o-lines.
The offense also needs to speed up its tempo, particularly in the second half of games. No-huddle has been a key factor in keeping opponents off schedule, preventing situational pass rushers from getting on the field at the right times, and wearing down defenses. The Eagles need to get their plays in quicker and take advantage of no-huddle to move the chains more efficiently, which should positively impact their third-down offense.
The team's most dynamic playmaker, A.J. Brown, has been underutilized, particularly on designed pass plays. Brown's biggest strength is his ability to make yards after the catch (YAC), but he hasn't seen enough involvement in intermediary games with routes designed to have him turn upfield. The Eagles need to find better ways to get the ball in Brown's hands and capitalize on his strengths.
The defense, meanwhile, needs to figure out its best option at cornerback 2. The team has made some recent moves, including trading for Jaire Alexander, but it remains to be seen whether this will pay off. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio needs to find a reliable corner to pair with Jakorian Bennett, who has shown promise in training camp.
Finally, the four-man pass rush is an area where the Eagles can make a significant impact. With the return of Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham, Fangio's edge rush is set to get a boost. However, finding the best combination of players to shore up this unit will be key to disrupting quarterbacks and keeping offenses off balance.
If the Eagles can address these areas of improvement, they'll be well on their way to sustained success in the second half of the season.