The trenches are often overlooked. Except in Philadelphia, where they are endlessly revered.
Philadelphia’s dominance along the lines was on full display Thursday night in its 34–28 win over the Vikings.
Minnesota, which has struggled to develop its offensive interior, was limited to a grotesque 28 yards rushing on nine carries. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was also under siege throughout, being sacked twice while the Eagles registered 10 quarterback hits.
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Offensively, Philadelphia had an uncharacteristic night, allowing four sacks of quarterback Jalen Hurts, but the Eagles rushed for 259 yards on 5.4 yards per carry. New Eagle D’Andre Swift ran it 28 times for 175 yards himself. Those numbers include the defining drive of the night, as coach Nick Sirianni watched his team run 13 times on 16 plays of a 75-yard touchdown drive, putting the Eagles up 10–7 in the second quarter. Philadelphia never relinquished the lead.
For the Eagles, their focus on the fronts is due to general manager Howie Roseman, who has been at his post since 2010 (though he was famously overtaken on the personnel side by Chip Kelly for a brief stint). Since Roseman first came into power, Philadelphia has selected 14 players in the first round of the draft. The Eagles have chosen nine offensive and defensive linemen or edge rushers, including veteran stalwarts in defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and defensive end Brandon Graham.
Of those nine, four have gotten multiple contracts in Philadelphia, while former Georgia defenders Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter are currently playing on their rookie deals.
The fruits of those choices, and the philosophy behind them, has shined through. Since 2010, the Eagles have reached the playoffs seven times, won five NFC East titles, appeared in two Super Bowls and won a title in ’17, beating Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
After notching a sack in his first pro game last week against the Patriots, Carter was again crashing the pocket with ease against Minnesota. Although the stat sheet showed only two tackles, including one for loss, Carter was consistently drawing double-teams, allowing his teammates freedom. And, even when doubled, Carter was often moving up the field, making it tough for Cousins to use proper mechanics while blowing up rushing lanes.
Of course, this isn’t new for the Eagles. They have a pair of future Hall of Fame offensive lineman in right tackle Lane Johnson and center Jason Kelce, who have made a combined 10 Pro Bowls and seven First-Team All-Pro appearances.
Now that Philadelphia finally found its franchise quarterback in Hurts, last year’s MVP runner-up, the Eagles have become almost unbeatable. Since the start of last year (including playoffs), Philadelphia has a 18–4 record.
The losses? Two came late in the 2022 regular season against the Cowboys and Saints, but those games came without Hurts under center.
The other two defeats were facing the Commanders and Chiefs—the latter in a thrilling Super Bowl.
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In Washington, the Commanders had a deep defensive front, including tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, along with edge rusher Montez Sweat, who combined for 27 sacks last year. In Kansas City, the Super Bowl champs had one of the league’s best offensive lines—specifically the interior, led by All-Pros in center Creed Humphrey and left guard Joe Thuney—while Chris Jones helmed a defense which notched 55 sacks in 2022, second only to Philadelphia’s 70.
In short, if the Eagles are healthy, the only hope most opponents have is being able to at least survive in the trenches. Considering Roseman’s affinity for stockpiling assets up front, most teams stand little chance.
Looking at the 2023 schedule, Philadelphia should once again make a deep playoff run with the biggest regular-season challenges coming against other built-up fronts including the Cowboys (twice), Chiefs and 49ers. While the Commanders present a difficult day for the offensive line, second-year quarterback Sam Howell has plenty to prove.
Ultimately, the Eagles are a force which lights up primetime marquees throughout autumn and winter with names such as Hurts, receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry, and tight end Dallas Goedert among others.
But the chief reason for Philadelphia's success has been Roseman’s unfailing addiction to finding the best lines possible.
In some cities, the big men with anonymous faces would be overlooked and undervalued.
In Philadelphia, they’re the lifeblood of the NFC’s best franchise.
