In the middle of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles faced a glaring issue: 25 sacks in eight games, ranking sixth in the NFL. The offensive line’s performance became the focal point of discussion.
A Dramatic Drop in Sacks
Over the last six weeks, the Eagles have allowed only four sacks, the fewest in the league. Since Week 9, the team has permitted a single sack against the Lions, Cowboys, Chargers, and Raiders, while shutting out the Bears and Raiders entirely. This marks the first time since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 that the Eagles have allowed one or fewer sacks in six consecutive games. The streak ties the longest run by any NFC team since 2015, when the Rams posted a seven-game streak.
Coaching and Line Stability
“It’s a really bright spot that probably hasn’t been talked about,” said offensive line coach Cam Jurgens. Jurgens highlighted the improved pass protection and the line’s understanding of Jalen Hurts’ position. He noted, “I think we’re blocking guys really well up front. I think we’ve done a really good job in pass protection. A lot of schemes help and knowing where the quarterback’s at and everything that goes along with it.”
The line’s cohesion stems from stability in personnel. Jurgens and Landon Dickerson, who had been shuffled early in the season, have now been consistent starters. Fred Johnson filled in at right tackle after Lane Johnson’s early-season injury. Johnson explained the importance of unity: “I just feel like we tried to go out there and execute our job. Dominate our 1-on-1’s and stuff. Be on the same page as far as blitzes, defensive fronts, and different schemes.” He added that the line’s focus on “checking every box” helps the team collectively.
Tyler Steen emphasized the role of film and repetition: “You want to get all five guys just kind of all playing as many snaps as possible together, and the last month or so we’ve had that. And I think anytime you have to bring different people in, just kind of as far as how you communicate, it can be difficult.” Steen pointed out that increased snap count leads to better timing and communication.
Numbers That Tell the Story
- Sacks allowed: 25 in the first eight games (6th-most in the NFL) → 4 in the last six weeks.
- Positional breakdown: One sack each against the Lions, Cowboys, Chargers, and Raiders; no sacks allowed against the Bears and Raiders.
- Drive-level impact: On 28 drives where Hurts was sacked, the Eagles scored 4 touchdowns (14% of possessions). On 118 drives where he was not sacked, they scored 32 touchdowns (27% of possessions).
- League ranking shift: From 27th to 12th in sacks allowed over the same period.
The statistics underscore a clear correlation between protection and offensive productivity. Jurgens noted that the line’s improved performance has helped the team avoid the negative run plays that previously plagued the offense.
Leadership Perspective
Head coach Nick Sirianni spoke about the offensive line’s progress on Tuesday. “Everything,” he said, “this is the ultimate team game, so everything contributes to that. I think we’re getting good contributions from receivers getting open, doing good things there, good protection, Jalen reading the defenses and getting the ball where it needs to go.” Sirianni also acknowledged the line’s role in reducing sacks: “That goes back to our negative runs that we’ve talked about, but that’s also sacks. So everything contributes to that, and we’ve got to look to continue to build upon that.”
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles’ offensive line has cut sacks from 25 in eight games to just four in the last six weeks.
- The team’s six-game streak of one or fewer sacks is the first of its kind since 1982 and ties the longest NFC streak since 2015.
- Stability in the line and improved communication have been credited by coaches and players for the dramatic turnaround.
The season’s middle-game slump in pass protection has been reversed, and the Eagles’ offensive line now stands as a bright spot that could keep the team competitive as the playoffs approach.
