Most dominant elements of the 2022/23 NFL playoffs: What to look out for in the postseason

#4. Philly’s physicality up front

NFL Regular Season - New Orleans Saints v Philadelphia Eagles

It’s rare to see an NFL team truly dominate in the trenches on both sides of the ball in the vast majority of matchups. However, that’s what we’ve seen from the Eagles this season. They are the only NFC to be top-five in offensive and defensive DVOA right now (along with the Bills in the AFC)

Before having to rest Jalen Hurts at quarterback, they were comfortably atop the NFL with a 13-1 record. Despite having two of their bottom-four marks these last couple of weeks, they’re still fifth in rushing yards (2374) and have seven more touchdowns on the ground than anybody else (31). More importantly, they’re easily number one in rushing success rate (51.0%) in the NFL.

The run defense has had some issues in the middle of the season, with interior D-linemen hurt and a couple of ways teams attacked their five-man surfaces with. However, they’re still tied for number in yards per play surrendered (4.8) and second in takeaways (27). This is thanks in large part to the way the consistently affect the pocket. They have 68 sacks and rank behind only the Cowboys in pressure rate (25.0%).

The reason Philly isn’t even quite at the top of the NFL in total or average yards per rush is because they don’t have those legit home-run hitters in the backfield. They have more five/six-yards runs on first downs than anyone, have been more successful at converting in short-yardage situations and are consistently able to move the chains.

Jason Kelce - NFL Regular Season - Minnesota Vikings v Philadelphia Eagles

Looking at that front five, they can really run any concept. They take advantage of the mobility at the center position with Jason Kelce. Right tackle Lane Johnson (injured but back soon) can create lanes and the way they create displacement off short and long pulls lets Jalen Hurts tank ahead on sneak plays. On those, he’s converted an absurd 27-of-29 into first downs (on third and fourth).

Hurts and Miles Sanders have moved the chains on 75% of rushing attempts on third and three or less. That’s a big reason they’re converting an NFL-best 72.2% of red-zone trips into touchdowns, along with their 60 total runs of 10+ yards between their top two ball-carriers.

Defensively, I mentioned some of the issues they’ve had in terms of how opposing teams have given their five-man front problems at times. Especially when using those angles against them with pin-and-pull or GT power schemes. However, they did add some depth to that unit with veteran free agents and their splits with rookie D-tackle Jordan Davis on the field versus when he’s not are stunning. As he’s getting healthier and more acclimated, we will see him become a bigger part of their formula.

More importantly, this D-line has been crushing pockets all season long. They have some of the most impressive snaps on tape. They often truly collapse the space around the quarterback from all angles and force him to release the ball off his back-foot. Those don’t even show up on the stat sheet, other than ending up in incompletions and interceptions.

They also have a commanding lead on the rest of the NFL with their 68 sacks. Combine that with the way they have their corners funneling everything inside and their safeties aggressively driving on routes in quarters or cover-six and it forces QBs to attack tight windows. As an effect of that, balls being popped up for grabs.

With temperatures low and teams will likely need to come through Philadelphia (including a New York Giants team up on the slate this Sunday, which is locked into the number six seed) and being able to win on the ground will be huge.