Sanders ready to hit the ground running
PHILADELPHIA >> Eagles running back Miles Sanders grew up outside Pittsburgh doing what most fans there do.
When he wasn’t hating the New England Patriots, he was marveling at how that old quarterback he refers to as “TB” could have such a mastery over his Steelers.
“I know a lot about them,” Sanders said of that guy Tom Brady and the Patriots, who take on the Eagles Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. “That’s the Steelers’ kryptonite right now. They’re a good team, good coaching. But like I say, as long as we handle what we’ve got to handle this weekend and come swinging on Sunday, then we should be (OK).”
The Eagles (5-4) have beaten just two teams with winning records this season, yet share a piece of the NFC East lead with the Dallas Cowboys, who count the Birds as the only victory over a winning club. It’s been that kind of year.
The Patriots (8-1) have beaten just one team with a winning record in the Buffalo Bills. Moreover, in the last two starts, a Patriots team that’s allowed a leaguelow 98 points has given up rushing yardage in chunks.
Bill Belichick’s team was gashed for an average of 184.5 yards on the ground by the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. Two weeks ago, the Patriots fell from the unbeaten ranks as Lamar Jackson and the Ravens rushed for 210 yards and a stunning 37-20 victory in Baltimore.
The Eagles also are rested after their bye. It will be interesting to see if they stick with the rushing formula helping them string together back-toback victories. They’ve averaged 182 rushing and 190 passing yards in the two-game run with Sanders and Jordan Howard doing the heavy lifting.
Howard has rushed for 525 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Sanders has 336 rushing yards, 65 on a scoring run. Right now, the run-pass balance is the Eagles’ identity. It puts points on the board and more importantly, moves the chains to control the clock. That keeps the injury plagued defense fresher.
“We still want to come in every game and dominate the line of scrimmage,” Howard said. “You’ve got to give credit to the O-line the whole season. They’ve done a good job of that. We’re going to come in ... get the game plan and just grind it the whole week.”
Sanders has become a threat on first down and in the passing game for the Eagles. With 316 yards on 52 chances, he’s averaged 6.1 yards from scrimmage per touch on first down to rank among the top five running backs in the league.
In the receiver department, Sanders averages 10.3 yards per target, in the top three in a group of running backs where
6.1 yards is the average. Those skills can make a big difference against a Patriots defense that leads the league with 27 takeaways, including
19 interceptions. Eagles wide receivers have averaged a collective 8.7 receptions per game, right around the basement and about four catches per game under the league average.
Sanders rested his body over the bye with a purpose. The Eagles have an opportunity to make a statement before they host Seattle (7-2) next week. After the Seahawks the Eagles’ season gets incredibly easier as they take on such losers as the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants (twice) and Washington Redskins, along with the Cowboys.
This weekend is the chance that Sanders, whom the Eagles took off the board in the second round of the 2019 draft, has daydreamed about since he broke his first touchdown run.
“They’re 8-1, one of the best teams in the league,” Sanders said. “If we want to be established as one of the best teams in the league, we’ve got to go through games like this. This whole stretch is going to be big for us. It’s going to be cool. I’m ready to see what ‘TB’ does in person. I’m still star-struck out there from seeing Aaron Rodgers play. But it’s going to be good. I think we’re looking forward to coming out of there with a ‘W.’ And that’s what’s most important.”
Sanders also plans to connect with Brady, 42, the thirdoldest player in the league, just to satisfy his own curiosity.
“I’m going to say what’s up to him after the game,” Sanders said. “That’s it. Just to shake his hand, that’s all. I grew up a Steelers fan, so they stressed me out a lot. Especially with Tom Brady being there the whole time.”