AJ Brown was a non-factor within the Philadelphia Eagles’ 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Thursday’s Kickoff Sport, catching only one move for eight yards – and solely within the second half. That may be thought-about stunning, given his integral function within the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions’ offense.
As an alternative, many of the group’s aerial output got here from slot receiver Jahan Dotson, who caught three passes for 59 yards. Even working again Saquon Barkley was extra prolific, catching 4 balls for twenty-four along with his speeding prowess.
Nonetheless, there could also be some underlying elements behind Nick Sirianni and Kevin Patullo’s determination to restrict his involvement. Listed here are the likeliest ones:
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Why did AJ Brown have only one goal vs. Cowboys? Attainable causes for Eagles WR’s lack of output in Kickoff Sport
3) Harm
All through the preseason, studies circulated claiming that Brown had been coping with a hamstring harm. As could be inferred, it could actually restrict mobility and explosiveness, which is a prerequisite for being elite on the ability positions, like broad receiver.
Thus, it’s doable that the Eagles determined to restrict his participation within the sport to let him heal higher and have a extra dominant run later within the season.
2) Saquon Barkley’s presence
Saquon Barkley’s impression on the Eagles can’t be understated.
In 2022 and 2023, they managed to get Professional Bowl-caliber thousand-yarders out of unknown portions Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift, respectively. However when their former divisional rival crossed over from the New York Giants, consultants quickly acknowledged that he would have an elite season.
Barkley had already been in a position to create sturdy seasons behind a mediocre offensive line; now think about what he might do with one of many best possible. His 2024 explosion speaks for itself, and it was as soon as once more on show on Thursday, as he carried the ball eighteen occasions for 60 yards and a landing.
With Jalen Hurts additionally breaching 60 and scoring twice, Brown needn’t overexert himself to assist his group win.
1) Offensive flexibility
However after all, Hurts and Barkley weren’t the one ones doing harm.
There was the aforementioned Jahan Dotson, a 2024 preseason commerce acquisition who has thrived in spot responsibility. Tight finish Dallas Goedert proved his versatility but once more in each serving to with the run and catching passes (seven receptions for 44 yards). And DeVonta Smith had three catches of his personal for 16 yards.
Having that many weapons permits the Eagles to confuse opposing defenses. Protection expects a run? Faux the handoff, throw on the corners. Protection expects a move? Preserve the ball, and run.
Brown will probably be extra environment friendly as a weapon when he’s a “spoke within the hub” quite than when he’s simply fed the ball always (as Dak Prescott has tended to do with CeeDee Lamb, typically to detrimental outcomes).
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Edited by Andre Castillo
