The Eagles went down to New Orleans and got beat down by the Saints in week 11, but the game was actually closer than the score indicated. In the first matchup, the Eagles weren’t as healthy as they are now, which is saying a lot. The Eagles have been decimated by injuries, losing both starting corners, the starting free safety and the offensive line missing pieces almost all season. The Eagles found a way to battle through injuries to make it into the postseason, but now they have to battle for their lives in order to win. So how can they do that?

Run The Ball

In their first matchup against the Saints, the Eagles got behind quick, but they ran the ball well all game. In order to win this weekend, the Eagles will have to be able to keep the Saints honest, by running the ball well. The strength of the Eagles offense is physicality and the downhill run game. In the first matchup, the Eagles had some success running the ball, but they had to get away from it when the game got away from them.

One thing the Eagles had success with the whole game was the split zone concept. Split-zone is a variation of the inside zone concept where the tight end blocks the backside defensive end. It allows offensive linemen to get to linebackers, while not allowing the backside end to run down the heel line for a tackle for loss.

The split-zone concept allows the offensive line to use double teams to generate movement play side, while not sacrificing the back side of the run. On this play, Ertz cut blocks Cam Jordan, which slows him down long enough to prevent him from making a tackle.

Another play that looks similar to the split-zone is inside-zone with tight end movement across the formation. The Eagles scored a touchdown against the Saints on a play where Dallas Goedert moved across the formation post snap, taking his man defender with him, effectively blocking his defender. The Eagles have weapons that command respect, which allows them to open running lanes with movement.

Later in the game, the Eagles came back to split-zone, for six yards. The Saints run an aggressive defense, which can leave the defense susceptible to blocks coming across the formation.

The old adage “when the run works, the pass works” is absolutely correct. The Eagles showed the Saints run three times in a row, then they attacked the linebackers with play action. The play action brought the linebackers up because they had to respect the run, then Alshon got behind them, and in front of the safety.

Get After The Passer

The one thing the Eagles have to do is pressure Drew Brees, the Eagles do not have the secondary to play the game the Saints want to play unless the front seven can get after Brees. One thing that the Eagles have going for them this week is the recent return of Timmy Jernigan. Fletcher Cox is so good that the center almost always slides to his side, leaving Jernigan, Treyvon Hester or Haloti Ngata matched up one on one.

Also, Brandon Graham, Chris Long, and Michael Bennett have to get pressure off the edge. Bennett has quietly been having an excellent season, and he needs to continue for the Eagles to have a chance if the Eagles can wreak havoc on the Saint’s offensive line.

Play Zone Coverage

In the first matchup, the Eagles ran man coverage frequently. The problem is that the Eagles don’t have the personnel to match up with Michael Thomas, Tre’Quan Smith, Benjamin Watson, or Alvin Kamara. In the first matchup, the Eagles were also trying to integrate young defensive backs, and trying to play defenders through injury. Since then the Eagles have made the switch to majority zone coverage, and it has helped them sure up a leaky defense. Avonte Maddox has shown that he can make plays on the ball, and Rasul Douglas has shown flashes, but neither is a shutdown man coverage corner.