The Philadelphia Eagles are 3-0 so far this season and the team appears to be firing on all cylinders. On both sides of the ball, the team is exhibiting great chemistry and the execution has been nearly flawless, especially on offense.
Hot Start
Through three games this young season, the Eagles’ offense ranks in the top five in passing yards (4th), total touchdowns (3rd), and explosive passing plays of 40+ yards (1st). Additionally, the offense doesn’t take long to heat up in games, as the team leads the league in points scored in the first half.
One of the primary reasons the Eagles’ offense has been so productive is the consistent dominance from its offensive line.
Under longtime Eagles coach Jeff Stoutland, the offensive line has been one of the best in business so far this season. From the left side of the line to the right, the line has held up tremendously and routinely stifles opposing defenses.
Consistency is key
Frankly, it is as if the line is picking up exactly where they left off last season. In 2021, the offensive line allowed the fourth-fewest quarterback hits (37) in the league. The team also allowed the fourth-fewest sacks (31) last season.
Keeping Jalen Hurts upright and with a clean pocket to operate is instrumental to the Eagles’ success and the team has obviously put a huge emphasis on it this season.
Currently, the Eagles rank just outside the top ten in fewest pressures allowed and have done a great job of opening lanes for the offense to work with.
Furthermore, the team has been getting some truly incredible performances from their two tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson.
Pave the Lane
I fear we may have reached the point in Lane Johnson’s career where he has been great for so long that he’s starting to fly under the radar a bit.
Offensive tackle may not be a sexy position but let’s be clear on one thing, Johnson is essential to the success of the Eagles.
So far this season, the All-Pro right tackle has yet to allow a single sack, extending his streak to 17 games without a sack, according to PFF. His last surrendered sack was way back in 2020.
Additionally, Johnson boasts one of the highest win rates in the league, holding pass rushers at bay for longer than 2.5 seconds 96% of the time, according to ESPN.
When listing reasons the Eagles’ offense is so scary right now, Lane Johnson’s name deserves to be amongst the top.
Blindside
On the other side of the line, Jordan Mailata continues to be the people-mover the Eagles drafted him to be.
The former seventh-round pick has done a great job of protecting Hurts’ blindside. Since 2021, Mailata has allowed just four sacks. This is even more impressive when you consider Mailata was not introduced to football until as recently as four years ago.
The talented tackle has also been dominant in the run game, routinely providing massive lanes for his teammates to run through.
On Sunday, Mailata added yet another pancake block to his highlight reel. This time around, Commanders’ DB Rachad Wildgoose was the victim.
If he can continue to improve and play at a high level, the Eagles are in good shape this season.
Unsung Heroes
Aside from the bookend tackles, the rest of the Eagles’ offensive line has been excellent as well.
Jason Kelce has been his usual dominant self while guards Landon Dickerson and Isaac Seamalo continue to make strides.
Through the first three games, Dickerson boasts an absurd 100% win rate according to ESPN. Dickerson has graded favorably in that regard since entering the league and has looked good in Year 2.
Heading into the season, Dickerson was tabbed as the most improved Eagle by veteran coach Jeff Stoutland.
“Light years [ahead], not even close, not even the same player,” Stoutland said, per Sports Illustrated. “I see a guy playing with low hips. I see a guy who struggled a little bit to change direction coming off the injury. But now I see a guy, you watch the Miami stuff, you could see how quickly he was bumping off the twist stunts and how he was redirecting his feet. To me, that’s a different type of player.”
If Stoutland goes out of his way to give high praises like that, he means it, and Dickerson has certainly been well worth the second-round pick used to draft him.
Looking ahead
As the Eagles continue to build momentum, expect the offensive line to continue to pave the way. One of just two remaining undefeated teams in the league, the Eagles will suit up again next Sunday when they face off against former head coach Doug Pederson and the Jaguars.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)
