Philadelphia Eagles' Loss of Jason Peters Will Have Crippling Ripple Effect

The Philadelphia Eagles allowed 32 sacks, 34 quarterback hits and 161 pressures during the 2011 season. 

It may be safe to expect those numbers to rise next season with the news that All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters has re-ruptured his Achilles' tendon in a freak accident this offseason. Peters was forced to undergo a second surgery on the tendon and is now expected to miss the 2012 season. 

The loss of Peters for next season could have a ripple effect throughout the Eagles' offense. 

The most obvious start to the ripples is in pass protection, where Peters shined last season. 

On 594 pass-blocking snaps during the 2011 season, Peters allowed just three sacks, one quarterback hit and 17 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was PFF's No. 1-rated tackle last season. 

Over the last two seasons, Peters has given up just five total sacks. 

Demetress Bell, the most likely replacement for Peters on the left side, is an obvious downgrade.

During the 2010 season—the last time Bell played a full 16-game schedule—Bell allowed four sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 29 pressures as a member of the Buffalo Bills. Overall, Bell allowed 43 pressure plays on 584 pass-block snaps. By comparison, Peters allowed just 21 over 594 snaps in 2011 and has averaged just 26 over the last two seasons. 

Seventeen to 22 pressure plays may not seem like a lot over the course of a full season, but any kind of added hits or pressure on a fragile quarterback like Michael Vick could have catastrophic results. Over the last three seasons, Vick has averaged almost four games missed per year. 

Losing Vick for long stretches next season would almost certainly mean the Eagles don't make the 2012 playoffs. 

The likes of LeSean McCoy will also feel the effects of losing Peters on the offensive line. According to PFF, only Phil Loadholt of the Minnesota Vikings was a better run-blocking tackle last year.

When running behind Peters last season, McCoy averaged 7.5 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns. Even Ronnie Brown (6.0 yards per carry) and Dion Lewis (6.0 yards per carry) found success running the ball behind Peters. In all, the Eagles averaged over seven yards every time they ran the football in Peters' direction last season.

While Bell isn't a slouch in the run game, he's far from the accomplished run blocker that he'll be replacing for the Eagles. 

Finally, the Eagles' screen game to Peters' side will take a hit. According to PFF, Peters was the third best offensive tackle at blocking for screens last season. The athletic 328-pound Peters has been impressive in getting out in front of screen to spring big plays for McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. 

Teams can overcome the loss of a left tackle—see the 2011-12 Green Bay Packers, who lost Chad Clifton for most of the season but still scored the second most points in NFL history. But Clifton was far from the all-around presence in Green Bay than Peters is in Philadelphia.

The Eagles will feel the loss of Peters across the board.

Every part of the Eagles' offense, from pass protection to run blocking to the screen game, will be negatively effected for the 2012 season. And while losing Peters certainly doesn't guarantee that the Eagles will miss the playoffs again next season, it does give the team an uphill climb on the offensive side of the ball.

When push comes to shove, replacing Peters' overall production on the left side of the offensive line may prove to be an impossible task.