Case in point, the Arizona Cardinals will score a major win over the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend thanks to a monster running game.
The Arizona Cardinals used a back-by-committee approach that helped fuel them to a convincing road win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 5. If head coach Kliff Kingsbury has an ounce of logic in him, he shouldn’t abandon the backs-by-committee approach any time soon.
Especially against a squad like the Eagles, who remain the only undefeated team in the NFL. And when you look at the Eagles numbers, there appears to be zero flaws in them, whether it’s on offense, defense, special teams, or coaching, you name it.
Until you realize the Eagles have allowed 5.0 yards per carry, tied for ninth-highest in the NFL. Fortunately for the Cardinals, their strength lies in the running game, at least until DeAndre Hopkins returns. If the so-called “Air-Raid” master in Kliff Kingsbury realizes this, and it’s big if, then the Cardinals will upset the Eagles in Week 5 thanks to that running back committee.
The Arizona Cardinals running game can upset the Eagles
The Eagles have only allowed 401 rushing yards, good for ninth in the league. However, teams have only run the ball on them 80 times this season, which explains their top ten ranking. Meanwhile, teams continue to try and pass on their feisty defense, which has allowed an NFL-best 4.3 yards per pass attempt.
Clearly, running the ball early and often will wear down an otherwise remarkable defense. It will also keep possession away from Jalen Hurts, who appears to be taking the next step in his development as an NFL passer.
So far this season, I have been tough on James Conner, who has averaged just 3.2 yards per carry over the first four games. But when the Cardinals went with a committee approach in Week 4, Conner’s YPC improved to 3.67. Still not stellar, but better than it was.
Eno Benjamin and Darrel Williams combined for nine carries and 55 yards, good for 6.1 yards per carry against a Panthers defense whose YPC currently rests at 4.1. Run the ball, Mr. Kingsbury, and watch your Cardinals score a major upset win over the Eagles in Week 5.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)