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How big of an advantage is it for the Eagles to only have to get 9 yards instead of 10 (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by CrossfitJebus@alien.top to c/nfl@nfl.community

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With the tush push being so effective, they effectively only have to get 9 yards every three downs. So what kind of advantage does it give them

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[–] reno2mahesendejo@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Part of it is modern defenses are not built to stop every play. They have a certain amount of bend to then to not give up bigger plays.

So, what you'll often see from the Eagles, is they take those 3-5 yard buffer plays (a quick checkdown to Smith, a run up the middle). Then on third downs, defenses usually play the sticks, trying to force a punt. The Eagles push this to take the easy yards and come up short on 3rd down, specifically knowing how common 4th-1s can be.

What you saw in the Jets game (and early on against Kansas City and Buffalo to a degree), was the defense selling out to stop those little plays - extra pressure on first down, right coverage combined with blitzes. The goal was to set up 4th and long, rather than just 4th down.

[–] Happylime@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Yeah I want to point out that if the chiefs offense didn't shit the bed entirely that would be roughly the blueprint to beating the eagles, sell out to set up 4th and long, and force hurts to beat you with intermediate passes.