Eagles' players know all too well what they need to do to contain Derrick Henry
If there was one thing in the amazing 2022 season that is a flaw for the Philadelphia Eagles, it has definitely been the inability to stop the run. I have said this before, but you can go back to their first loss of the season which came on Monday Night Football against the Commanders just […]
If there was one thing in the amazing 2022 season that is a flaw for the Philadelphia Eagles, it has definitely been the inability to stop the run.
I have said this before, but you can go back to their first loss of the season which came on Monday Night Football against the Commanders just to see how bad the run defense was. That is the reason they ended up losing the game.
Well, that and self-inflicted wounds.
It hasn't really gotten any better since then either.
They still gave up 99 yards on the ground to the Indianapolis Colts two weeks ago, and 106 on the ground to the Green Bay Packers last week.
It's safe to say that area isn't their brightest, as they average 120 rushing yards allowed per game, which is good for the 15th worst in the league. Or, if you want to be positive about the situation, it is also good for the 18th-best in the league.
Now, it doesn't help that they have the best pure running back in the league coming to town on Sunday in Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans.
"At the end of the day, you have to be physical," defensive tackle Linval Joseph said.
I'll go ahead and add something in for Joseph, but you have to try and be more physical than Henry. He may be the most physical running back in the league, so you can't just be physical.
"You got to be physical, and you got to get him down to the ground. You can't let him fall forward. It's easier said than done, but we have to get after him."
Last week the Cincinnati Bengals held Henry to just 38 yards rushing. They did that by being more physical than him and their offensive line, so, Joseph isn't wrong about that part.
If the Eagles want a better chance at winning, they must contain Henry and that is the way to do it. Tennessee is too good at what they do, so it won't be easy. However, since the addition of Suh, Joseph, and now Jordan Davis being back, the Eagles are in perfect shape to do so.
Featured Image Via Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
