For the second week in a row, the Birds did a good job of staying with the running game.
They fell behind but didn’t get one-dimensional by throwing the ball every play. I think it helped them with their execution down the stretch.
“Sometimes Coach can get a little frustrated with the running game if it’s not really clicking,” center Jamaal Jackson said. “But the last couple of weeks, he’s been having faith in us.”
LeSean McCoy carried the ball 17 times for 76 yards. It seemed like the Skins were surprised that the Eagles were running the football, so much.
Your passing game is always better when there’s a run threat. It opens up things in the middle when the linebackers must respect the running game.
Fullback Leonard Weaver showed the ability to get yardage on those quick hitters up the middle. He avergaged more than seven yards a carry by running the ball six times for 44 yards.
Again that yardage which he picked up will force linebackers to stay honest.
The threat of the running game will always limit what defensive coordinators will do.
The key times that the Birds stayed with the running game was on the goalline with the game on the line. They gave the ball to Eldra Buckley on third down and one eventhough he had been stopped a couple of times before that.
He cutback to his left rather than run up the middle and that made the difference.
It also helps in blocking the pass rush. Defensive linemen can’t pin their ears back and rush the passer if they’re afraid of the running attack.
