The Philadelphia Eagles snapped their playoff streak after finishing a tumultuous 2020 season with a 4-11-1 record.
Doug Pederson lost the team’s support during that year, and Carson Wentz did not play to expectations.
It was a steep decline from their Super Bowl-winning campaign three seasons ago, and it looked like the lousy fortune would continue in 2021.
This season, the Eagles lost five of their first seven games despite a coaching change and Jalen Hurts locking down the starting quarterback role.
But the tides started to turn for Philadelphia after winning three of their four recent games.
Their only loss in that stretch was courtesy of a last-second field goal by the Los Angeles Chargers’ Dustin Hopkins.
From looking dead early in the season, it’s time to revive the playoff talks for the Eagles because of these reasons.
3. Jalen Hurts Finally Figured It Out
There were doubts whether Hurts was the long-term solution at quarterback when the Eagles fell to 2-5.
Those doubts are gone now that the team is on a roll.
Throughout their last four games, Hurts threw three touchdowns and only one interception.
.@danorlovsky7 says there’s “no question” the Eagles have found their QB1.
“It is not a question anymore. Jalen Hurts is the quarterback now, he is the quarterback for the future.” pic.twitter.com/uaKALfPuC6
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 22, 2021
He also had three rushing touchdowns in their latest win against the New Orleans Saints.
Hurts might not be reaching 200 passing yards, but he’s picking his spots correctly.
He’s showing more command of the Eagles offense and looks more comfortable under center.
2. Eagles Defense Is Stepping Up
It’s hard to defeat the Eagles defense when they dominate.
They gave up 31.3 points per game when they lost and surrendered consecutive 40-point games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs.
But in the games that they’ve won, the Eagles give up only 14.4 points per game.
Those games include allowing six points apiece to the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons.
Philadelphia Eagles Darius Slay showing a great amount of patience while using scooch technique in an off man situation pic.twitter.com/qObvCnA57i
— DB Coach Nation (@DBCoachNation) November 21, 2021
The Eagles also had two interceptions in their win over the Saints.
They also had six sacks versus the Lions.
Javon Hargrave leads the Eagles in sacks with six, while Darius Slay has three picks.
After Week 11, Philadelphia climbed to the 13th spot in yards per game allowed with 348.1.
1. Their Run Game Is Doing Wonders
It took a while before head coach Nick Sirianni embraced that they are a run-first squad.
But when it was clear that the ground game was their priority, the Eagles kept on winning.
In their game versus the Saints, Miles Sanders returned and rushed for 94 yards.
As a team, the Eagles outgained New Orleans with 242 rushing yards.
Solid @Eagles team win again today. The run game is looking good. Good adjustments by the coaching staff to hit the run game more.
— William Seiders (@BseidersPhotog) November 21, 2021
They also had 216 rushing yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 10 and 176 in their loss to the Chargers.
Opponents do not have a choice but to pick their poison from Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Kenneth Gainwell because any one of them can have a big game.
Credit also goes to their offensive line led by Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jack Driscoll, and Lane Johnson.
Their efforts make the Eagles the second-best rushing team in the NFL, averaging 153.4 yards per game.
"He's as good as advertised." – Coach Sirianni on Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Jeff Stoutland pic.twitter.com/XWwcp9sFPz
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 22, 2021
Only the Cleveland Browns are better but only by 3.4 yards.
But while the Browns backfield unit has concerns due to Kareem Hunt’s injury, the Eagles ground game looks like a well-oiled machine.
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