Eagles Will Need their Running Game to Beat Chiefs on Sunday

The Eagles didn’t get running game going in their Week 1 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday, but its something they're going to have to do if they want to steal a win in Kansas City.

"We've got to be able to run the ball better," admitted Eagles head coach Doug Pederson on Friday.

"But at the same time, this is another -- it's a challenging group. Very similar front from a structure standpoint that we just faced with the Redskins. But these guys are good at what they do, and it's a challenge. It's a challenge every week, but that's something that we've focused on, and got to get the running game because I think that just carries over into our play-action."

Free-agent addition LeGarrette Blount paced the team with 14 carries for 46 yards in the regular-season opener, but Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles combined for just six carries, for a toal of 20 carries for 52 yards from the teams running backs.

"We had some good holes, at times," Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich said on Tuesday. "[We] had a few nice gains up there. You know, I think we all wanted to be a little more effective in the running game."

The Chiefs will be without star safety Eric Berry, who will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. The Eagles might be able to attack that spot on the field in both the run game and in the pass game.

"Obviously, [DB Eric] Berry being hurt is a significant loss but they are very well-coached and they play good team defense," Reich explained. "They are aggressive and it all starts with the pressure that they put on the passer."

"It's hard but Sorensen has done a good job in his absence," Reich said.

"You can tell they trust him. He is a good man-cover guy. He matches up pretty well with the tight ends. Is he as good as Berry? No, not too many guys are as good as Berry, but he's a very good player. He's been there for a while. I think they have a lot of confidence in him."

If the Eagles are looking for one area to attack on the Chiefs steady defense, despite with Reich is saying Sorensen might be the guy.