Eagles def. Jets: 3 Offensive Takeaways from Eagles vs Jets

An underwhelming win?

The Eagles blowout the Jets 31–6, was nothing but a leisurely day in the office. However, it felt like something was missing; something was lost; something was not clicking, especially offensively. After looking deeper into Sunday, here are three things the Eagles need to improve on, as the competition increases.

9 Penalties for 76 Yards

If nine penalties for 76 yards do not jump out in the stat sheet, stop reading this article. Seventy-six yards is ¾ of the field, and a touchback starts a drive at the 25. That’s essentially giving up a touchdown due to penalties. Furthermore, most of these penalties were holding on first and second down runs. The Eagles found themselves in third and long as a result of this, making it cumbersome to convert (5–13, 38% conversion rate on third down). The saving grace in this match was that the Eagles were playing the Jets, who also committed nine penalties for 52 yards. Against better competition, the Eagles cannot afford these miscues, the margin of error is merely smaller.

2.9 yards per rush

The run game and the deep ball take the Eagles offense from good to lethal, and Doug Pederson certainly understands that. In the first drive, most likely scripted plays, he ran the ball six out of the nine snaps. Nevertheless, he needs to realize that Miles Sanders (1.7 yards per carry) is a rookie, and although numerous running backs, for instance, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Lenard Fournette who come out of college swinging, that should not be expected from a rookie. Sanders’s role this year is to be the juice or energy bunny who comes in to gives Howard a break, the defense a different look, or on passing situations (Darren Sproles has a quad strain). Howard (4.8 yards a carry) must be the number one. He wears defenses down and can create holes when they are not there because of his strength and boulder mentality. Moreover, an elite run game halts the opponent’s pass rush, opens up the play-action-pass, and keeps the opposing offense off the field. It needs to be effective!

Longest Pass 36 yards (Miles Sanders)

Ironically, right as I criticized Miles Sanders’s rushing ability, I praised him for his pass-catching and route-running ability. These skills are why he is undoubtedly the back of the future. However, the fact that a runningback has the longest pass of the game demonstrates the lack of a serious deep-threat and big-play ability the Eagles receivers have. Of course, Deshaun Jackson will eventually return onto the starting line-up, but it seems like every week, there is a setback or delay in his rehab.

This four-game stretch

At the Vikings, Cowboys, Bills, and home against the Bears is crucial if the Eagles are eying a first-round bye. They need to create more game-changing plays on offense. With Darren Sproles also out, the Eagles should look to run more plays for Dallas Goedert because of his tackle-breaking ability or Nelson Agholor due to his nimbleness to create these explosive plays: assuming they hold on to the football.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Eagles dismantling of the Jets should be viewed as a positive for the Eagles season. Propelling the team to over .500 for the first time since week one and creating a tie for first place in the NFC east; this win is vital. Nevertheless, the victory exposed the flaws in this team, and they’ll learn from it. These lessons will be valuable in December and hopefully January, maybe February.

Statistics courtesy of NFL GameBook

Featured photo from Philadelphia International Airport