Eagles’ Ground Game Evolving: Bigsby, Barkley, and Hurts Form a Three-Headed Rushing Threat
PHILADELPHIA - Tank Bigsby isn’t here to take Saquon Barkley’s job - but he’s certainly carving out a role in an Eagles backfield that’s becoming more versatile by the week. And when you add Jalen Hurts into that mix, what you get is a rushing attack that can come at you in three very different, very effective ways.
Let’s start with Bigsby. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, the second-year back runs with the kind of urgency and physicality that lives up to his name.
His approach is simple: “See a hole and hit it,” he said. “Don’t be tiptoeing.
Hit it.” That downhill mentality is exactly what the Eagles have been tapping into more and more.
Bigsby’s journey to this point hasn’t been linear. The Eagles acquired him from the Jaguars after Week 1, giving up a fifth- and sixth-round pick to make the deal.
Initially, he was used primarily as a kick returner - a role that didn’t stick after a tough outing against the Giants in early October. But the Eagles were willing to be patient.
Bigsby needed time to learn a new offense, one that was clearly built around Barkley, who’s coming off a 2,000-yard season.
He got his first carry in midnight green on Oct. 19 against Minnesota, picking up 11 yards. Then came a breakout performance against his former team, the Giants - 9 carries, 104 yards.
But after that, his touches dwindled. Over the next five games, he never had more than four carries in a game.
That changed in a big way on Dec. 14 against the Raiders. Bigsby got three carries in the first half for 15 yards, then took over in the fourth quarter after the Eagles built a 31-0 lead. He finished with 17 carries for 57 yards - not eye-popping numbers, but a clear sign that the coaching staff is beginning to trust him with more responsibility.
And now, heading into a key divisional matchup with the Commanders, the Eagles have a legitimate three-headed monster in the run game. Barkley brings the all-around explosiveness - power, elusiveness, and breakaway speed.
Hurts, of course, is always a threat to pull the ball and make a play himself, especially when defenses key in on Barkley. And Bigsby?
He’s the hammer - a straight-line runner who gets north-south in a hurry.
Bigsby’s numbers back it up. He’s averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season on 41 attempts - a total that includes his short stint with the Jaguars. It’s taken some time, but he’s found his footing in Philly.
“It’s been difficult, crazy,” Bigsby said. “Coming from Jacksonville and coming here, I wasn’t expecting that.
It’s here now. I got it down, so let’s go.”
Hurts echoed the importance of keeping the run game multifaceted: “It doesn’t matter who’s running it. It’s just about being able to run it.”
And in December - when the weather turns cold and playoff football looms - being able to run it matters more than ever.
Adoree Jackson Finds His Groove in the Eagles’ Secondary
While rookie Quinyon Mitchell is drawing national attention with elite numbers - the lowest catch rate allowed among all NFL cornerbacks (41.7%) and the second-lowest passer rating against (61.4), all without giving up a single touchdown - his veteran counterpart is quietly playing some of his best football of the season.
Adoree Jackson, now in his eighth NFL season, has had to earn his way back into the starting lineup. Early struggles cost him his spot, with Kelee Ringo stepping in. But Jackson didn’t fade - he fought his way back, and now he’s solidified his role once again.
He picked off a pass against the Chargers on Dec. 8 and followed that up with a strong performance against the Raiders. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has noticed the turnaround.
“It’s a process,” Fangio said. “He’s done well here lately.
I’ve personally been rooting for him all year to play well. He’s had his ups and downs like a lot of us.
Hopefully, he can stay on the track that he is.”
Jackson has also been one of Mitchell’s biggest supporters. He’s played with some standout corners in his career - Malcolm Butler, James Bradberry, Logan Ryan - but sees something special in the rookie.
“To see Q and his mentality, how humble he is and how he comes in to work every day, and how consistent he is … it says a lot,” Jackson said. “A lot of people think DBs are supposed to be exaggerated with ego and swagger.
But for me, it’s how Q comes in and handles himself. I think that’s what a true DB is.
Just go out there and play his game. He doesn’t say much and then does it the next snap, the next game.
For sure, that’s rare.”
Jackson’s resurgence, paired with Mitchell’s breakout, gives the Eagles a secondary that’s peaking at the right time.
Dallas Goedert Closing in on Franchise History
Dallas Goedert had a shot at tying the Eagles’ franchise record for touchdown receptions by a tight end last week - and he knew it. He dropped one in the end zone against the Raiders, a play he hasn’t forgotten.
“Scars right there. That one hurts,” he said with a laugh.
But the Eagles went right back to him, and Goedert made up for it. He hauled in two touchdowns - both from four yards out - bringing his season total to nine. That puts him just one shy of the record set by Pete Retzlaff in 1965.
There’s a nice bit of symmetry here. Like Retzlaff, Goedert played his college ball at South Dakota State. So breaking that record would mean a little more.
“Pretty cool,” Goedert said.
And the Eagles are giving him every opportunity to do it. When they get inside the five - the “low red zone” - Goedert is a go-to target. His size, hands, and ability to fight through contact make him a nightmare matchup in tight spaces.
“I think when I get a ball in my hand down there, I’m tough to tackle,” he said.
The Eagles will take that toughness - and the touchdowns - as they continue their push toward the postseason.
Up Next: Commanders on Deck
With a resurgent run game, a secondary rounding into form, and a tight end on the verge of history, the Eagles are heading into their Dec. 20 matchup against Washington with momentum on their side. December football is all about identity - and right now, the Eagles are starting to look like a team that knows exactly who they are.