Losing Carson Wentz to a back injury (fractured vertebra) is the last thing the Eagles need right now. But Nick Foles is not the worst emergency replacement.
Now we know why, as Hoppy from Canada observed here several weeks ago, that Wentz appeared to be reluctant to step fully through his pocket throws, using “all arm” instead. His back was killing him. Tough to put full torque on that spine with a full weight shift forward…Wide receiver Jordan Matthews said he noticed Wentz playing through the pain and applauded his toughness.
Of course the Eagles are leaving the door open to the “possibility” of Wentz getting medically cleared to play on Sunday against the Rams. That way the Rams have to prepare for both Wentz and Foles.
But inside intel says Foles will get the start, and most likely every start the rest of the season, as long as there is any mathematical chance for playoff qualification.
At least with this Eagles offense you don’t have to worry about Foles’ effect on the continuity of the system—because there was little if any continuity to preserve.
“Obviously, we have a lot of confidence in Nick,” said wide receiver Nelson Agholor. “We know he’s played a lot of football. The city’s aware of that and in this locker room, we’re aware of that.”
Fran Duffy of PE.com says we should be more focused on the Eagles defense and its ability to slow down the Rams, than on anything above the norm expected from Foles:
“I know people think of McVay and Jared Goff and the passing game with this Rams team, but really it ultimately comes down to the run game. That’s the starting point here, and Los Angeles leans heavily on a zone blocking scheme to attack teams on the ground, particularly with the Outside Zone Run.”
“On Outside Zone, the objective is to stretch the front side and to cut off the back side. You’ll see the entire offensive line take a wide step toward the direction of the play, and the offensive linemen on the play side are trying to get their defenders moving laterally toward the sideline. On the back side, the linemen are trying to actually cut off their defenders, “reaching” them, and sealing them off from making the play. These actions help create a crease for the running back, Todd Gurley, and he’s able to hit the hole downhill for a big play. Even though the name of the play is Outside Zone, it is definitely an inside run.”
“Last week, Chicago Bears defenders on the front side were really stout at the point of attack. Khalil Mack did a great job of setting a strong, hard edge, either forcing the running back to cut back before he wanted to or to “run the hump,” meaning the running back is now going east-west instead of going north-south. Gurley carried the ball 11 times for just 28 yards (2.5 yards per carry) against the Bears, which were his lowest numbers since McVay took over last season.”
The Rams are one of the best play-action teams in the NFL thanks to the run game. They use play-action a ton, and Goff is very efficient when he drops back off of a run fake. The Rams love to attack downfield with two- or three-man route concepts off play-action, stretching the defense both vertically and horizontally.
But the Bears took all of that away, getting after Goff on those play-action fakes and getting into his face before he could get comfortable and step into a throw. Duffy suggests that is how the Eagles defense needs to attack the Rams, which if successful should take a lot of scoring pressure off Foles and his offense.
Translation: BIG GAMES needed from Fletcher Cox, Michael Bennett, and Brandon Graham, perhaps moreso than from Foles.
The sourpusses at The Inquirer aren’t buying into any of this:
Les Bowen: ‘Back to reality: nothing good is going to happen to the Eagles this season. That is truly the “new normal.” ‘
Rams 32, Eagles 13.
Paul “Domo”: Rams 37, Eagles 20
Jeff McLane: “The loss of Wentz, even if he had been playing at less than 100 percent, will hurt, and the Rams are just too explosive.”
Rams 30, Eagles 20
Zach Berman: “Look for the Rams to take an early lead, the defense unable to stop the big plays, and the Eagles’ wild-card hopes taking a major hit.”
Rams 38, Eagles 17
Gimme a break! (lousy choice of words)…EYE take the Eagles and the points. This could be a shocker.
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