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The Philadelphia Eagles are 8-0 for the primary time in franchise historical past.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense is probably going the main story by means of their first eight video games, with Hurts taking part in himself into the MVP dialog due to his begin to the season. However the Eagles improved to 8-0 on Thursday evening with a win over the Houston Texans, and due largely to a veteran on their defensive entrance.
Defensive deal with Javon Hargrave.
The defensive deal with has put collectively back-to-back spectacular video games, first in Philadelphia’s Week 8 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, after which once more on Thursday evening within the Eagles’ 29-17 win over the Texans. In opposition to Pittsburgh every week in the past, Hargrave posted a pair of sacks, serving to Philadelphia frustrate rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. These have been his first sacks because the Eagles’ Week 3 win over the Washington Commanders. He additionally posted what was a season-high 5 tackles.
However Thursday’s efficiency in opposition to the Texans was Hargrave’s greatest sport of the yr, as he set new season-highs with seven mixed tackles, and a pair of sacks.
Trying on the trio of sacks, you possibly can see the bevy of traits that Hargrave brings to the desk. By energy, burst, effort, and method, Hargrave creates issues on the inside for opposing offenses.
With rookie defensive deal with Jordan Davis just lately positioned on Injured Reserve, and out for the following three weeks, these traits may very well be enormous for the Eagles as they appear to stay unbeaten.
His first sack Thursday evening got here on account of a mix of energy, and energy. Hargrave aligns within the A-gap, between the middle and the left guard, and fires off the ball into middle Scott Quessenberry. Instantly off the snap, Hargrave stresses Quessenberry’s left edge, bursting into the pocket to maneuver quarterback Davis Mills off the spot. However when the quarterback slides to his left, Mills reveals the athleticism, and the trouble, to chase him down:
However Hargrave was solely getting began.
The defensive deal with obtained to Mills two extra occasions, each within the fourth quarter because the Texans have been attempting to claw again into the sport. With Mills and the Texans dealing with a third and 10 close to midfield, Hargrave flashed his super energy whereas working in opposition to rookie left guard Kenyon Inexperienced:
Off the snap, Hargrave drives into Inexperienced, placing the rookie guard on skates and driving him into the backfield. Inexperienced fights for each inch of leverage he can get, however Hargrave plows him into Mills’ lap, after which disengages from the guard for the sack.
Convey on the punt workforce.
Later within the fourth quarter, Hargrave added method to the equation. Working in opposition to Quessenberry from a tilt alignment, Hargrave comes off the road and snaps off a fast push-pull transfer, leaving Quessenberry behind:
Mills would throw an interception on the following play.
While you speak to quarterbacks, or offensive coaches, they are going to inform you simply how disruptive inside strain could be to an offense. When quarterbacks face strain off the sting, it’s simpler to deal with, as they will climb within the pocket and even spin away from these defenders, relying on the athleticism of the quarterback in query.
Inside strain is one other animal altogether. Not solely is strain on the within disruptive to the timing of performs, because it forces the quarterback off the spot and/or to regulate early within the down, however it’s the hardest to keep away from. Don’t take that from me, nonetheless, however take it from legendary quarterback Joe Montana, who wrote this in his e book Joe Montana’s Artwork and Magic of Quarterbacking:
An inside push completely disrupts a passer who doesn’t transfer round quite a bit. The toughest factor for a quarterback to get away from is a defensive lineman who will get freed up the center instantly after the snap. You may get away from most something however a push up the center. That is how Jim Burt took me out again within the ‘86 playoffs. The one option to get away from it’s to get exterior the pocket as shortly as you possibly can.
By eight video games, the Eagles have pressured opposing passers on 23.7% of dropbacks, Eleventh-most within the NFL. That is regardless of rating twenty first within the league in blitz share, sending further rushers after the quarterback on simply 22.5% of dropbacks. Having move rushers like Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat and the newly-acquired Robert Quinn on the sides definitely helps in that effort.
However the inside strain that Hargrave gives is one other means of making issues for opposing quarterbacks.
And will likely be enormous for the Eagles as they appear to maintain this win streak rolling.
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