The third quarter is set to begin, and the Eagles have called just six run plays in the first half. That's the fewest amount of runs from this team since Pederson became the head coach in 2016. The previous low (eight in the first half), was set last week in Tennessee. Pederson absolutely knows he needs to run the ball more; he has said as much. He has also proven to be a coach who understands the value of an effective running game. Look at the circumstances the last couple of weeks.

In both games, Pederson went in with just Ajayi (nursing a significant back injury), Smallwood, and undrafted rookie Josh Adams. Corey Clement (quad) and Darren Sproles (hamstring) were both injured and unavailable to take carries. They've had some negative runs in key spots. They've gotten behind a bit. Some of those runs are also RPOs – Pederson noted this in his Monday press conference – where Wentz decided to throw instead of hand the ball off. A lot of people want to see more running, and that's fair, but I think it's fair to see the other side of it as well. With Ajayi out for the rest of the season, the Eagles will have to get even more creative in the run game to churn out yards on the ground.

So with just six runs in the first half, the Eagles call six runs on the opening drive of the second half. Ajayi gained 7 yards on first down but lost 4 on second down. That brought up a third-and-7 play that the Eagles were able to pick up thanks to Smallwood in the passing game. The Vikings lined up in their Double A-gap pressure look, and Smallwood is responsible for linebacker Anthony Barr in protection. If Barr rushes inside, Smallwood has to block him. Barr drops in coverage though and Smallwood slips out of the backfield. Wentz deftly hits him for a first down to move the sticks.

The Eagles respond with another run play, this time to Smallwood right between the tackles out of a Split Zone concept. I highlighted the block from Goedert above because he once again stood out at the point of attack on Sunday, both in the run game and the pass game. Smallwood does a nice job staying square here and picks up 13 yards. Ajayi goes for 9 yards after that to bring up second-and-1. An illegal formation penalty sets the offense back 5 yards, but Nelson Agholor gets them right back to bring up third-and-1.

This is a critical play because the Eagles have momentum at this point. Points are great, but you don't want to settle for a field goal. Wentz fakes the handoff, rolls to his right, and hits a leaking Ertz to that side on a play-action pass underneath for 8 yards and a first down. This was a creative play, especially with how much Split Zone the Eagles had run to that point both in the game and on this particular drive. Ajayi takes the handoff on the next play, and a Minnesota penalty puts the ball on the 6-yard line. The Eagles are cooking. It's time to finish off this drive with a touchdown.

Or so we all thought.