Philadelphia Eagles Showed Overreliance on Kenny Gainwell
There was a lot of talk about the Philadelphia Eagles running back room during the NFL preseason. The “running back by committee” moniker seemed like the likeliest approach. However, Kenny…
There was a lot of talk about the Philadelphia Eagles running back room during the NFL preseason. The “running back by committee” moniker seemed like the likeliest approach. However, Kenny Gainwell took the ball in Week 1 against the New England Patriots without much of a committee behind him.
Kenny Gainwell
The era of Brian Johnson as the new offensive coordinator and play-caller started with an unexpected strategy. Gainwell took the ball an astounding eight times on the first drive.
According to The Ringer, he played 38 offensive snaps. Offseason acquisition D’Andre Swift, who many people considered the starting back, played only 17 snaps. Boston Scott rotated minimally, and Rashaad Penny sat as a healthy scratch.
“You’re supposed to have a running back room by committee. It was Gainwell… What’s the point of getting D’Andre Swift if you’re never going to use him? I’ve never thought that Gainwell was a number one back. He performed pretty well that first drive, so it’s hard to argue with it, but then afterwards, they kept going to him as if he was Brian Westbrook.” -Pat Egan on The John Kincade Show
Gainwell finished the game with 14 carries for 54 yards and four catches for 20 yards. The early reliance on the third-year back from Memphis didn’t continue entirely in the context of the offensive strategy after the first drive. However, it’s clear who Nick Sirianni trusted as the lead back out of the gates.
Swift carried once for three yards, and he caught one pass for no gain. Scott also finished with two touches.
Bo Wulf summarized the preseason feeling about Swift, Gainwell, and the running back room as a guest on The Best Show Ever.
“I think they want him (Swift) to be the guy who’s going to bring some explosiveness to the offense and add that dynamic of a receiver out of the backfield that they did not have last season, but I think Week 1 you might see the Eagles sort of go back to Mr. Reliable, and that’s Kenny Gainwell...Kenny Gainwell is the guy that they trust in two-minute drills and in tight-game situations and in the red zone.” -Bo Wulf
Gainwell also surprisingly outsnapped Miles Sanders in Super Bowl LVII. The decision by Sirianni was related to Sanders fumbling on the first play from scrimmage. The trust in Gainwell outweighed the potential explosive ability of Sanders.
Running Back By Committee
Gainwell provided a solid option out of the backfield in Foxborough on Sunday. However, a sluggish offense that netted two total yards in their final five drives of the first half could’ve used a change of pace.
The reliance doesn’t have to continue moving forward. The Eagles have a quick turnaround before their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. Fresh legs from Swift, Scott, or even Penny could add a different element to Sirianni and Johnson’s attack.
“I don’t ever want to come out a game where D’Andre Swift has only two touches either.” -Nick Sirianni
The acknowledgment could point to a tweaked game plan in future games. Dallas Goedert similarly wasn’t involved in the offense, which isn’t a trend that’s likely to continue.
A disappointing offensive performance in Week 1 was ultimately good enough for a road victory against a team led by one of the best football coaches in the game’s history. The Eagles are 1-0, but the coaching staff must address a real head-scratcher if they want to regain a rhythm as one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL.
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The Philadelphia Eagles could potentially insert three Week 2 starters who didn't start in Week 1. They will play their home opener for the 2023 NFL season at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings.
The defending NFC champs defeated the New England Patriots 25-20 in Foxborough in Week 1.
Philadelphia Eagles Defeat New England Patriots
Despite an underwhelming performance, especially on offense, the Eagles snuck away with a victory. Jalen Hurts threw for only 170 yards. He also fumbled at a key moment in the game during the fourth quarter. The turnover gave the Patriots life when the visitors should've won the game easily.
Nick Sirianni showed no signs of panic during his postgame press conference after defeating Bill Belichick and the Patriots. He improved his record to 3-0 in season openers as a head coach.
Dallas Goedert and newcomer D'Andre Swift figure to be a bigger part of the offense in Week 2. Neither player made a significant impact in the season-opening victory.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected Week 2 Starters
The Eagles could potentially use three new starters in Week 2. While many people expected Swift as the primary running back, Kenny Gainwell got the start. He shouldered a heavy workload, going against the expectations of the "running back by committee" approach.
The status of Nakobe Dean is in question. If he can't go, the Eagles will likely move Christian Elliss into the starting lineup. He is the only other linebacker on the active roster. Nicholas Morrow might be a candidate to elevate from the practice squad.
There were questions heading into Week 1 about the safety position. While the overwhelming majority expected Reed Blankenship to start, the second spot was between Justin Evans and Terrell Edmunds. Evans started and played almost the entire game, with minimal snaps for Edmunds.
Injury news will trickle out as the week moves along. The quick turnaround forces Nick Sirianni to decide his Week 2 starters quickly.
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesQuarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020
D'Andre Swift
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesRunning Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)
A.J. Brown
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)
DeVonta Smith
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021
Quez Watkins
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020
Dallas Goedert
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesTight End, #88
South Dakota State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018
Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018
Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021
Jason Kelce
Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty ImagesCenter, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011
Cam Jurgens
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesRight Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022
Lane Johnson
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesRight Tackle, #65
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013
Brandon Graham
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)Defensive End, #55
University of Michigan
14th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2010
Fletcher Cox
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012
Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022
Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018
Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesEdge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)
Zach Cunningham
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)
Christian Elliss
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #53
University of Idaho
2nd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)
Darius Slay
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesCornerback, #2
Mississippi State University
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)
Josh Jobe
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesCornerback, #28
University of Alabama
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
Justin Evans
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesSafety, #30
Mississippi Gulf Coast
4th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
Terrell Edmunds
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesSafety, #26
Virginia Tech
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
