Scouting the Eagles: Film notes from divisional win over Falcons

In the run-up to Super Bowl LII, I'll be posting my game notes as I review Eagles film for a comprehensive scouting report at the end of the week. The first one from the NFC championship game is here.


Next up:

NFC divisional round: Eagles 15, Falcons 10

Gamebook

Similar to the NFC championship game, I thought the Eagles were fortunate to win this game. Not only did you have the final fourth-down call — a rollout on the goal line, really? — but this was typical of the Falcons' failed season. They weren't sharp enough on offense, which came from Matt Ryan's lack of comfort with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who just wasn't aggressive enough. The Falcons shut down the Eagles' run game for the most part, but they gave the Eagles and Nick Foles way too many easy throws against zone coverage. The Patriots will not do that.

EAGLES OFFENSE

Foles was not very effective in this game. As is mostly the case — and you have to give coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich credit for this — the Eagles do a great job of scheming players open for Foles. That is, he doesn't have to make many difficult throws, especially against a defense playing zone coverage. Like on this play:



Had Foles for two plus throws in this game, and seven minus throws and decisions.

Twice Falcons defenders slipped to make receivers wide open for Foles.

This looked to be another case (like the Vikings) of a dome team having trouble with the elements in Philly.

Eagles put the ball on the ground three times in this game, and lost one. Jay Ajayi had a fumble and a dropped pass.

The Eagles do a really nice of scheming plays. They like to run a slant with a back behind it into the hook/flat zone, making that defender have to choose which to cover. It's subtle, but very effective against zone coverage. The Patriots? They're a man team.

Center Jason Kelce was flawless in this game. Right guard Brandon Brooks was very good and is very physical in the running game.

Right tackle Lane Johnson is one of the best athletes you'll see at the position — sort of like how Nate Solder was early in his career — and they've started to pull him around left end on runs. Very impressive.

This was a nifty run that takes discipline from the linebackers to defend.



Johnson and left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai give up the most pass pressure. Johnson has some trouble with physical rushers (good news for Trey Flowers). Vaitai has trouble with quicker players.

Left guard Stefen Wisniewski runs hot and cold. He's devastating on pulls and screens, but he has difficulty holding up at the point of attack.

Tight end Zach Ertz has very good hands, but he's not much of a blocker (three stuffed runs).

The Falcons' speed killed the Eagles' zone-read running game, but they had some difficulty defending the extra gap as a 4-3 team.

EAGLES DEFENSE

The Falcons did not have much difficulty keeping the Eagles' vaunted defensive line off Ryan. As far as pressure, they only had three sacks and three QB hits. Why? Because the Eagles played a lot of zone and Ryan took the easy money, which the Patriots will do as well.

The Patriots will eat up this type of defense with Brandin Cooks on the outside:



Fletcher Cox is just a beast. He never stays blocked and will chase down plays from behind.

The rest of the line was very quiet.

The most effective CB to me continues to be left corner Jalen Mills. He's quick and has good ball skills.

Right corner Ronald Darby continues to be the cornerback to go after in zone and with double moves. He can be set up for the big play.

Safety Malcolm Jenkins had a tough time in this game. He missed a few tackles, he lost coverage against a running back for a touchdown, and he also allowed a 20-yard pass on fourth-and-6.

The Eagles started to bring pressure late in the third quarter and into the fourth. That's different for them. Led to one sack by safety Rodney McLeod.

The Falcons killed the Eagles defense on the edges with their run game overall. This is something I expect the Patriots to take advantage of with their jet sweeps. The Eagles are very aggressive and overpursue at times. This plays into what the Patriots like to do.