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No stopping Cowboys' run game
Archer By Todd Archer
The Philadelphia Eagles have a fine running game. LeSean McCoy is an elite running back. Darren Sproles can give teams fits, too. The offensive line has been good enough for the Eagles to average 118.7 yards per game on the ground.
But the Eagles running game is no Dallas Cowboys' running game.
The Cowboys have the NFL's second-ranked run game, averaging 150.1 yards on nearly 32 carries per game. DeMarco Murray leads the NFL with 1,354 yards and could push the 2,000-yard mark if he increases his pace a little bit more.
The Cowboys can beat teams with the simple zone play. They can use the power game. The ability to be all things in the running game makes them almost impossible to defend. Even if teams want to load the box, the Cowboys have shown they are able to run the ball anyway.
Things have not been as smooth as they were earlier in the season, but Murray is still averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Teams might be able to slow him for a little bit, but offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan, assistant line coach Frank Pollack and playcaller Scott Linehan have been able to figure out ways to beat defenses during the game.
The in-game adjustments have been crucial to the success, but so, too, has just been the physical dominance of the offensive line. Zack Martin might be the best guard in the NFL this season and he is a rookie. They don't have a weak spot on the line and if you want to consider Doug Free one, then you haven't been paying attention.
McCoy is dangerous for the Eagles. He is even more dangerous with backup quarterback Mark Sanchez playing over the starter, Nick Foles. After leading the NFL in rushing last year, McCoy is averaging just four yards per carry and has scored just three touchdowns. But Sproles is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has five touchdowns. The Eagles' running game is built more on elusiveness and gashing defenses that get out of their gap responsibilities. It's not so much about power. At least not compared to the Cowboys.
The Cowboys and Eagles are proof you can run the ball well and differently.
It's just that the Cowboys are better at it. The statistics show that as does the eye test.
Archer By Todd Archer
The Philadelphia Eagles have a fine running game. LeSean McCoy is an elite running back. Darren Sproles can give teams fits, too. The offensive line has been good enough for the Eagles to average 118.7 yards per game on the ground.
But the Eagles running game is no Dallas Cowboys' running game.
The Cowboys have the NFL's second-ranked run game, averaging 150.1 yards on nearly 32 carries per game. DeMarco Murray leads the NFL with 1,354 yards and could push the 2,000-yard mark if he increases his pace a little bit more.
The Cowboys can beat teams with the simple zone play. They can use the power game. The ability to be all things in the running game makes them almost impossible to defend. Even if teams want to load the box, the Cowboys have shown they are able to run the ball anyway.
Things have not been as smooth as they were earlier in the season, but Murray is still averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Teams might be able to slow him for a little bit, but offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan, assistant line coach Frank Pollack and playcaller Scott Linehan have been able to figure out ways to beat defenses during the game.
The in-game adjustments have been crucial to the success, but so, too, has just been the physical dominance of the offensive line. Zack Martin might be the best guard in the NFL this season and he is a rookie. They don't have a weak spot on the line and if you want to consider Doug Free one, then you haven't been paying attention.
McCoy is dangerous for the Eagles. He is even more dangerous with backup quarterback Mark Sanchez playing over the starter, Nick Foles. After leading the NFL in rushing last year, McCoy is averaging just four yards per carry and has scored just three touchdowns. But Sproles is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has five touchdowns. The Eagles' running game is built more on elusiveness and gashing defenses that get out of their gap responsibilities. It's not so much about power. At least not compared to the Cowboys.
The Cowboys and Eagles are proof you can run the ball well and differently.
It's just that the Cowboys are better at it. The statistics show that as does the eye test.