![]() The Eagles top rusher from 2022, Miles Sanders, is gone but D'Andre Swift replaces him to lead a deep backfield that also includes Kenneth Gainwell, Rashaad Penny and Boston Scott. Enter Philly's Jalen Hurts, who piled up 760 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago. But there were times against mobile quarterbacks where they experienced some struggles. ![]() The Patriots were stout against the run a year ago, finishing sixth in the league in rushing yards allowed and fourth in yards per carry. This will be a difficult test for Jones and Bill O'Brien to open up. The Eagles secondary is solid with corners Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox with safeties Reed Blankenship and Terrell Edmunds. JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Demario Douglas also will be in the mix, but DeVante Parker has missed some practice time recently so his status is less clear. If Mac Jones gets the time, he should be able to work with Kendrick Bourne and his tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. Newcomers Vederian Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley have just a handful of practices under their belts so asking them to step in might be too much at this juncture. Onwenu could move to right tackle and rookie Atonio Mafi could get the call at guard, or fellow rookie Sidy Sow could start at right tackle if Calvin Anderson can't go. Trent Brown (left tackle) and David Andrews (center) are the lone known commodities coming in as Cole Strange (left guard/knee) and Mike Onwenu (right guard/ankle) continue to work their way back from injuries. Given the Patriots struggles with health along the offensive line, that's not good news. Last season Philly led the league with 69 sacks and its 12.6 percent sack-per-pass-play rate also led the league. In addition to space eaters in the middle, Philly has Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat and Derek Barnett as pass rushers along with Cox. Here's where that vaunted defensive line figures to impact the game the most. Still, the Patriots ability to grind out yards on the ground should allow Stevenson to have some success. Depth at linebacker has been an early concern for Nick Sirianni, but the bulk up front won't be easy to deal with. Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis and rookie Jalen Carter man the interior spots in front of linebackers Zach Cunningham and Nakobe Dean. The big question for the Patriots will be finding ways to block the Eagles daunting front. Elliott isn't as explosive as he once was but still possesses the vision and toughness to be effective near the goal line as his 12 rushing touchdowns with the Cowboys a year ago suggests. Stevenson should be the lead dog once again, coming off his first 1,000-yard season while averaging 5 yards per carry. The Patriots clearly want to establish the run with Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott representing the one-two punch in the backfield. Philly allowed 121.6 yards per game (16th) and 4.64 yards per rush (24th) over the course of the 2022 season. The Eagles defense was among the best in football a year ago, but it was just average when it came to stopping the run. ![]()
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