It's Time to Run

By this point, everyone has heard the post-game chatter that the Cowboys were playing lots of four-deep coverage to take away the big play.  Madden also made the point repeatedly during the game how often Dallas was playing with six defensive backs.

Obviously, once the Eagles got down big, they were going to have to throw to get back into the game.  But it was a mistake to get to that point. 

I realize the Eagles are of the modern, Ron Jaworski mindset that you pass to set up the run.  Score some points, build a lead, then close out the game by running the ball.  I get it.  The problem is that this doesn't work any more, for a very simple reason:

Teams don't have to stop the Eagles running game -- it stops itself.

Think about it.  How many times have we seen a Jim Johnson defense gashed in the first quarter with big running plays?  What happens next?  The other team just keeps running running running until the Eagles demonstrate that they can stop it.  Some games they do, some games they don't. 

The Eagles never do this.  Sure, they'll run a few times and Westbrook will get his yardage.  But eventually they'll go away from it.  Teams never have to adjust.  Which means the receivers keep seeing all those deep safeties and continuous press coverage.

One point a number of people have made recently is that it really doesn't matter how the Eagles finish the season, because after all, last year they closed with that great run and evidently that meant zippy for this year. 

But the problem is that the Eagles stopped doing all the things that made them successful last year.  It's like taking your slovenly college friend out for a haircut and a new wardrobe, seeing him pick up a great girlfriend with the new look, then watching her walk away in disgust a few months later when he slides back into his old habits. 

The NBC jerk was right, Reid does need an intervention.  Just one that has nothing to do with his family.

Run the ball, Andy.  Don't stop until they force you to.