The Eagles’ offense is still stuck in the mud, and the biggest reason hasn’t changed: the offensive line just isn’t holding up its end of the bargain.
That was the clear message coming out of Week 9 as Philadelphia tried to get anything going with Joe Milton at quarterback. Even with Milton bringing some mobility to the position, the Eagles never found a real rhythm. The line didn’t create enough room in the run game, and it didn’t do enough to keep pressure off the quarterback.
“Milton can’t jump-start Eagles’ offense. Philly’s offense remains a slog, even with the athletic Joe Milton III under center,” Kevin Patra of the NFL’s website states.
Milton did give the Eagles a few things to work with on the ground. He led the team with 64 rushing yards on nine carries and finished 18 of 32 for 169 passing yards.
But the negatives piled up quickly. He was sacked seven times, and the accuracy issues were there too.
“As it has all season, offensive line issues have exacerbated the problems,” Patra states. “There were very few open holes in the run game, and far too many free rushers at the QB.
Saquon Barkley generated just 22 yards on 13 carries (1.7 yards per carry) with a TD. That’s not enough to help a young QB in his first start.”
That’s the core of the Eagles’ issue right now. The quarterback situation matters, but the line is making everything harder than it needs to be. Without better protection and more push in the run game, Philadelphia’s offense is going to keep grinding to a halt.
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