Super Bowl 52 Matchup: The Eagles Report

Super Bowl week is upon us and it’s time to breakdown the final matchup for the ultimate prize, the Vince Lombardi Trophy!!! Both teams come into this contest with exact winning records (13-3), and both ranked first in their respective conferences. As most expected, the Patriots would represent the AFC in the Super Bowl where the road traveled for the Eagles came with tribulation as they lost their star Quarterback in the process. This game has the potential to be a great contest and shouldn’t disappoint. Let’s breakdown the Eagles and how they will shape up.      

The Eagles Offense:

When you breakdown the Eagles offense there’s plenty to get excited about even without Carson Wentz running the show. The Eagles finished the season ranking 7^th in total yards, 3^rd in total points, and tied for 2^nd in points per game. This team simply knows how to find the end zone and put points on the board. It’s no question the strength of this team offensively (without Wentz) is the run game. The Eagles have a great complement of running backs on this squad that are capable of getting the job done. The Philly rushing attack was good enough to finish 3^rd in the NFL this season gaining 2115 yards, good enough for 4.5 yards per carry. Surprisingly with all that yardage, the Eagles only managed 9 touchdowns on the ground the entire season. Reviewing the statistics and watching game film, the Eagles play calling was firmly bias toward pass plays to generate offensive touchdowns. When it comes to points per game the Eagles are tied with the Patriots in scoring at 28.6 per contest. The Eagles have proven without Carson Wentz the offense is able to move down the field with some precession.

In relief, Nick Foles has done a fantastic job moving the Eagles offense while playing near mistake free football. Since taking over in week 15, Foles has thrown for 1037 yards, 8 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions – with none in the playoffs. Nick has been impressive in both playoff games while both contests played out differently. Against the Falcons, Foles raised his level of play in the second half to lead the Eagles to victory. Against the Vikings in the NFC Championship, Foles hit fourth gear early and never took his foot of the pedal. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the Eagles are in the Super Bowl as this team was built perfectly to score points. Philly does employ an impressive running back core that should strike fear in its opponents. Jay Ajayi backed by LeGarrette Blount, have combined to make a nice one two punch of downhill power running. Even if the Eagles backs have a difficult time running the ball, Foles will be able to find his many weapons in the pass game. Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz will be the vocal points as per usual, but Coach Pederson has gotten creative these last couple weeks getting others more involved.

The Offensive Game Plan: 

It would be in the Eagles best interest to run a similar game plan to the one that was executed to perfection against the Vikings in the NFC Championship. Coach Pederson wasn’t afraid to throw the ball against a stingy Minnesota secondary known to shut down top notch receivers all season, we should see something very similar on Super Bowl Sunday. The Patriots defense is easily exposed but adjusts extremely well once the plan has been seen. The Eagles will have to generate some form of a run game while implementing screens to the backs and receivers to loosen up the Pats front seven. Play action will be the most important option for the Eagles to confuse this at times leaky New England secondary.   Creativity will be a very important for the Eagles offense as Coach Belichick is a master at forcing teams to become one dimensional while they capitalize. Players that might have increased roles in this contest could be rookie running back Corey Clement and wide receiver Nelson Agholor. The largest weakness for the Patriots defense is in the middle of the field, which was exposed by the Jaguars in the first half of the AFC Championship. This game will most definitely rest on the shoulders of Nick Foles and his ability to find holes in the Patriots defense. Even when the Patriots adjust, Foles will have to be on point and precise to take advantage where the Patriots allow him to. The Patriots defense since week five has adjusted their formula to lead the NFL in points allowed per game (14 PPG), meaning they have become a bend but don’t break unit. The talent level can be put into question for the Patriots opponents those final eleven games, so the Eagles could expose Patricia and his unit.             

The Eagles Defense:

When you discuss the Eagles defense it should start with one person – Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz! Once again, Jim has done a masterful job with a defensive unit that finished 4^th in the NFL in total yards given up per game, and fourth in total points given up per game, impressive. For those who have watched Schwartz work, they realize his scheme can be very simple but very effective. Jim employs an attacking style of defense that is conducive in generating turnovers with pressuring the Quarterback. The way the scheme is created, Jim attempts to mix up the front four in how they line up to confuse opposing offensive lines while bringing blitz packages ultimately generating sacks. The pressure from the front four this season allowed the Eagles to play more man coverage allowing Philly to come away with 19 interceptions good enough for 4^th best in the NFL.

The Eagles are one of the best front seven squads in the league behind one of the best defensive tackles in the game in Fletcher Cox. Their defensive front can easily rival any in the NFL as their sub packages are good enough to be starting units on other teams. Rookie Derek Barnett is starting to find his stride in becoming a great pass rusher off the edge. The Eagles line backing core is one that plays with speed and athleticism able to run sideline to sideline creating havoc. The Eagles back end on defense is a much improved unit from a year ago thanks in part to the offseason addition of former Bills standout Ronald Darby. Darby is a great cover corner that relies on safety help which he indeed enjoys with all-star Malcolm Jenkins manning center field. This unit as a whole is prone to give up chunk plays due to their attacking nature, but will make the opposition pay for mistakes with great frequency.

The Defensive Game Plan: 

First and foremost, Jim Schwartz and the Eagles defense must constantly adjust to the Patriots producing an answer for everything Coach McDaniels throws at them. Early on, the Eagles should employ a rush four scheme from the defensive line, allowing the line backers to run free to assist in coverage and stop the run. This should be the most important aspect to start the game, can the Eagles front four get to Tom Brady! Double coverage on Rob Gronkowski should be the one constant in this match. The likes of Nigel Bradham and Malcom Jenkins, should have their hands full trying to contain the passes out of the back field to Dion Lewis, James White, and Rex Burkhead. Jim Schwartz should employ a few blitz packages in hopes to catch Brady off guard, but will rely on his front four rotations to generate the pressure. Bill Belichick is very good at keying-in on one matchup and exploiting it to perfection. Rex Burkhead and Chris Hogan might be the options that are poised for a big day as Schwartz will focus his attention on Cooks, Gronk, Lewis, and White. With all the game planning that will transpire it should come down to how the Eagles defense rattles Brady. If Philadelphia can take a page out of the Denver Broncos 2015 AFC Championship game script, the will have a great opportunity to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Defense wins Championships and the Eagles sure have one that could take them over the top.

To all the Eagles fans out there – Fly Eagles Fly and the best of luck!