Zone Read: Eagles-Titans, the Day After


GAME BALL OFFENSE: LESEAN MCCOY

The Titans entered Sunday with the worst run defense in the NFL (per Football Outsiders), and McCoy took advantage with a 130-yard performance on 21 carries (6.2 YPC). He had 100 yards in the first half, helping the Eagles take a 27-17 lead going into the break. In the previous two games combined, McCoy totaled 107 yards on 35 carries (3.1 YPC).

“I’m happy whenever Shady gets numbers,” said Jason Kelce. “I think that a lot of things have been made out in the media that have kind of been a little bit of an insult to him. Quite frankly, I think LeSean’s the same guy he’s always been. He’s just been waiting for us to really get going. And I think early on today, we got going. We got going so well that they ended up erasing their nickel personnel at all in nickel situations and they just ran base. Whenever you can dictate that to a team and force them into certain personnel that they’re not used to running throughout the game in certain situations, that’s an advantage for us.”

At this point in the season, we know what we’re getting in most areas with this Eagles team. But the run game is an exception. It’s been up-and-down through the first 11 games. But whether or not the Eagles can effectively run the ball will likely determine how far they can go down the stretch.

GAME BALL DEFENSE: TRENT COLE

Cole was credited with two sacks, three tackles for loss and two QB hits. He gave rookie left tackle Taylor Lewan all he could handle.

Cole and Barwin did a great job of working together, and this defense loves facing pocket quarterbacks who can’t escape.

Cole is in his 10th NFL season, and at the age of 32, he sounds like someone who thinks the Eagles can make some noise the rest of the way.

“Every game counts,” said Cole. “I think the league is up for grabs right now. A lot of teams are losing, and I feel like we have a very strong team. I think that we can keep winning games as long as we go out there and play mistake-free, be disciplined and beat the man across from us. I think we can win games and keep this train rolling.”

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THAT’S WHAT HE SAID

“If you’ve been playing football this long, Thanksgiving hasn’t been a part of your life for the vast majority of your career.” – JASON KELCE

At first, this seemed like one of the saddest quotes of the season. But the overall sense is that the guys in the locker room are jacked up to be playing the Cowboys on Thanksgiving in front of a national audience.

We all know about the hypocritical nature of the league preaching player safety and then incorporating Thursday night games every week. But one thing players like is that they get a full weekend off afterwards, like a mini bye.

The coaches went right back to the NovaCare Complex after Sunday’s game to get ready for the Cowboys. And the players head back today for a short week of practice before flying to Dallas on Wednesday.

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FIVE THOUGHTS AND LEFTOVERS

1. The Titans seemed to have a lot of trouble with the Eagles’ stunts and twists on Sunday. Billy Davis didn’t do a lot of blitzing, but the guys up front messed with Tennessee’s protections. I asked Barwin how he and his teammates determine who is stunting where on those calls.

“Sometimes we pre-determine before the snap,” Barwin said. “Sometimes we call it right before the ball is snapped. Sometimes we read a formation and we have an answer per formation. There’s all kinds of different things that come up.”

The Eagles currently have 38 sacks on the season, second in the NFL to the Buffalo Bills.

2. I think Sunday’s game was pretty representative of who the Eagles are. The offense can move the ball, but will turn it over. The defense can stop the run and get after the quarterback, but will allow big plays in the passing game. The special teams unit is among the best in the NFL.

The one thing that could potentially get much better down the stretch is the run game. The turnovers will likely continue to be an issue. And because of a lack of talent in certain areas on defense, the Eagles will give up big plays on that side of the ball.

There are defined strengths and weaknesses on this team. But through 11 games, the Eagles are in a great spot at 8-3.

3. I think the biggest matchup to watch Thursday will be the Eagles’ front seven against the Cowboys’ offensive line. Dallas put together a seven-play, 80-yard drive to win Sunday night’s game. Tony Romo had all day to sit in the pocket, survey the field and find open receivers. He eventually hit Dez Bryant for a 13-yard touchdown.

DeMarco Murray, meanwhile, carried 24 times for 121 yards.

The Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in the league. The Eagles’ front seven has exceeded expectations all season long. Whichever group wins the battle Thursday night will likely win the game.

4. I also consider this a big Chip Kelly game. The offense is going to have to score points and convert in the red zone. Dallas went into Sunday ranked 21st on defense. The Giants scored touchdowns on their first three possessions Sunday night, putting together drives of 80, 66 and 80 yards, respectively. In the second half, Eli Manning missed badly on a throw that could have given the Giants a touchdown, but instead was intercepted. He also checked one down late when Odell Beckham, Jr. was running free down the left sideline.

The bottom line is that the Cowboys are far from a shut-down defense. They’re more of a try-to-survive defense. The Eagles will have opportunities to put points up, but this can’t be a game of missed chances on offense. Kelly will have to dial up the right calls and the right game plan to put the Birds in position to succeed.

5. Extra points… I think that Graham should be closing in on a double-digit sack season right now. How many times has he had a QB in his grasp only to let him escape? Graham has 4.5 sacks on the season, but has done an admirable job as the Eagles’ third outside linebacker. …Nice changeup to McCoy’s celebration with running backs coach Duce Staley. From TV, it looked like they first faked the move where they clang biceps together and then actually hit them the second time. McManus and I may have to incorporate this into our repertoire. …What was Bradley Fletcher doing on the 40-yard touchdown to Justin Hunter? I watched it multiple times and am still not sure how he didn’t force Hunter out of bounds. …If I’m an opposing offensive coordinator, I’m taking advantage of Casey Matthews and Emmanuel Acho in coverage every week. …There’s snow in the forecast for Philadelphia Wednesday night. Anyone around to give me a lift to Dallas if my flight gets cancelled?

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