With Running Game Rolling Again, Eagles Back on the Right Track

You're never as good as your best victory or as bad as your worst loss. Sunday's 43-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans was neither for the Philadelphia Eagles. It came on the heels of a dominant prime-time victory over the Carolina Panthers (about as good as they've been) and an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers (about as bad as they've been).

Those results left a lot of folks confused about these Eagles, who haven't been very efficient or productive on offense during head coach Chip Kelly's second season regardless of who's been at quarterback. 

This was a middle-ground performance. They were supposed to beat a two-win Titans team handily at home, especially with Tennessee coming off a short week. But interim starting quarterback Mark Sanchez—under center in place of the injured Nick Foles—still threw two unacceptable interceptions, and a defense already known to be susceptible to giving up big plays allowed rookie Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger to complete seven passes of 20 yards or more. 

So we don't suddenly have all of the answers regarding this team, but one factor from Sunday's victory should stand out: The Eagles let the running game carry them. 

Prior to Week 12, running back LeSean McCoy had gone over 100 yards just twice and was averaging only 3.7 yards per carry, which ranked 39th among 53 qualifying backs. The reigning rushing champion had just 107 yards on 35 attempts against Carolina and Green Bay, which works out to an average of 3.1. 

When you're a rush-oriented team with a backup quarterback under center, you can't afford to struggle that much on the ground. It got so bad that McCoy was forced to defend himself against critics who wondered if he was no longer the same player we saw dominate in 2013. 

But in the best sign yet that the offensive line is finally hitting its stride, McCoy and change-of-pace back Darren Sproles combined for 155 yards on 27 carries against the Titans.

Left guard Evan Mathis and center Jason Kelce were out for the majority of the first half of the season. Both were back in the lineup in time for the Carolina game Week 10. But Kelce appeared to be struggling, and the line simply wasn't itself the last couple weeks. 

This, though, may have been the turning point. 

McCoy had two runs of 12 yards or more on the very first drive Sunday, and Tennessee set the tone with the game's second touchdown on a series in which Sanchez needed only to complete two passes for a total of 16 yards. McCoy also had a 53-yarder to set up a field goal in the second quarter and a 14-yarder to launch a touchdown drive as the Eagles were pulling away in the third. Sproles also chipped in with a pair of 10-plus-yard runs. 

"We have a lot of confidence in LeSean," Kelly said after the game, per CSN Philly's John Gonzalez. "And we’ll always have confidence in him as long as he’s healthy."

Here's the textbook lane on that first 12-yard gain, which really sparked the offense:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

And on the other side in the third quarter, an example of how you seal guys off like champs on the 14-yard pickup:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

But it was also about McCoy making things happen. The man turned this look at the line of scrimmage into a 53-yard gain:

Credit: NFL Game Pass

"

LeSean McCoy has broken 1,114 ankles today, give or take a couple.

— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) November 23, 2014"

And Sproles too. He turned this into a 13-yard gain...

Credit: NFL Game Pass

Without those Sanchez picks this would have been close to a flawless performance for the Philadelphia offense, which has to be quite encouraging considering that four of its final five games come against NFC East rivals who don't pack much of a punch on the defensive side of the ball. 

Kelly has gone back to his bread and butter, and it does appear as though that part of the Eagles' game is peaking at the right time. 

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFC East for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon