Eagles Used Basic Running Plays and Won

LeonardRachiele · Post by **LeonardRachiele** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 5:06 pm

Earlier I mentioned the smash mouth no frills running of Shady McCoy that ran out the clock at Dallas in 2010. The Philadelphia Eagles won 30 to 27. If a team can do this for a substantial part or an entire game, it is a quarterback's dream. He can pass sparingly with little pass rush and get easy completions. Twice the Eagles have done this; both games were home games over 30 years ago. These were during 14 game season era and the records shown are before the game.

1976
Week 14 Seattle Seahawks (2-11) and the Eagles (3-10)

The Eagles had a five game losing streak and this was Seattle's first year in the NFL. Tom Sullivan carried 23 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Hogan carried 19 times for 104 yards. Behind perfect pass protection, Eagles quarterback Roman Gabriel completed 10 of 13 passes for 121 yards. The Philadelphia Eagles outgained Seattle on the ground 297 yards to 71. For all practical purposes, this was Gabriel's last game. In 1977, Roman only held the ball for field goals and extra points.

1977
Week 13 New York Giants (5-8) and the Eagles (3-9)

The Philadelphia Eagles had a four game losing streak. The weather was cold, clear, sunny, and windy. With six minutes left in the game, Philadelphia had the ball at their own 30. Trailing 14 to 10 with the following factors:

--the Eagles had -11 yards passing,
--the Eagles offense made things easy for New York by losing a fumble at their own 20; the Giants scored a touchdown,
--in the first half, a Giant defensive back interfered with Harold Carmichael in the End Zone but there was no flag; the Eagles settled for a field goal.

So now, the Eagles went back to basics. There was no imagination for a desperation drive. Ron Jaworski handed off to either Mike Hogan or Tom Sullivan; for a good part of the drive he just alternated. The Giants defense could not stop either one. Philadelphia was gaining 4-6 yards on ever play. Jaworski bootlegged for a one yard run with 20 seconds left. The Eagles won 17 to 14.