The Eagles are in a very tough spot. With the NFC East clinched, the Birds now have three games remaining to try and secure the #1 seed in the NFC and potentially secure a much-needed first-round Bye. Jordan Hicks, Carson Wentz, Jason Peters. Just three of the key playmakers who will be unable to aid this incredible team in their bid for NFC supremacy due to suffering season-ending injuries. If the Birds have any chance of securing the #1 seed and a home-field advantage, they simply cannot afford any more offensive line woes.
Losing Jason Peters was more than just a big blow. The 9x Pro Bowler is a future hall of famer and was one of the most consistent cogs in Pederson’s offense prior to injury. His replacement, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, has had a less than enjoyable stint at left tackle so far.
While the early signs were promising, Vaitai struggled massively against the Seattle Seahawks. The offensive line allowed a whopping total of 27 QB pressures against the Seahawks according to Pro Football Focus. What’s even more staggering is that Halapoulivaati Vaitai accounted for 10 of those pressures. 2 sacks, 1 QB hit and 7 pressures all came at the hands of the TCU product. His running mate, veteran Steven Wisniewski didn’t fare much better, allowing a further 5 hits and 6 pressures.
One week later, Wisniewski, who had been one of the offensive standouts this season after winning a game of left guard roulette, exited the game early with an Ankle injury. This forced Chance Warmack and Isaac Seumalo back into the fray and the results were as expected. The Rams feasted on the left hand side of the line, smothering the run and forcing constant pressure into the face of Carson Wentz.
“These guys get reps during the week but they don’t get the full complement of reps, so it’s a little different, especially going against a guy like that [Aaron Donald] is different.” Doug Pederson told reporters on Wednesday. “And then at the same time, I felt like Big V [T Halapoulivaati Vaitai] actually had probably one of his better games last week. But it’s just going to happen. It is going to happen. It’s football. As we start going down the stretch now, we start playing teams that have quality fronts and this is another one in the Giants, that are big physical guys, so our work is cut out again for us on the road, noise, the whole thing again this week.”
The Giants may have a disappointing record, but their pass-rush is no joke. Flexing safeties into the box as the Eagles do With Malcolm Jenkins is enough to cause problems for any o-line, let alone one struggling with injury. Factor in Jason Pierre-Paul, Damon Harrison and Oliver Vernon and what you have is an experienced line who have no problem shaking things up at the line of scrimmage.
This is even more important now that Nick Foles is quarterbacking the team. Foles will be making his first start since November last year and while the offensive gameplan may not deviate that much from what we’ve come to expect, he will need as much help as possible.
For Frank Reich, his confidence remains in his offensive front. The issue against the Rams was simply coming up against the wrath of Aaron Donald. His ability to penetrate the offensive front and allow the likes of Robert Quinn to run rampant is almost unmatched…and against a weakened offensive line, it was always going to be problematic.
“I wouldn’t say it became a problem. [Rams DT] Aaron Donald is a little bit of a problem, I guess that’s probably the way I should say it.” Reich said. “So it was just adjusting to that and the skill-set that he brought and trying to find the best way to make an in-game adjustment to his — he’s a unique pass rusher. He’s one of the best in the league, and so we went in there with a plan on how we could help against Aaron Donald and do some different things to neutralize him.”
The bottom line however is this. If Wisniewsi is unable to go on Sunday or if there are any more injuries to the offensive front, the Eagles will have their backs to the wall. The Raiders, the Giants and the Cowboys all have talent who can disrupt the passer and smother the run and if the Birds are forced to rely on Will Beatty, Isaac Seumalo or Chance Warmack, then things may get ugly, quick.
Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
