Eagles Three-Headed Monster Powers Team to Another Win

Running back LeGarrette Blount was the unexpected star of the night for the Eagles in their 26-24 win over the Chargers on Sunday, finishing the game with 16 carries for 136 yards, adding a 20-yard reception.

After not getting a carry two weeks ago in Kansas City, Blount is showing he still has some gas left in the tank as evidenced by his 109 rushing yards after contact, according to ESPN Stats & Info, which is the most in the NFL this season and the 5th-most by any player over the last 5 seasons.

Fellow running backs Wendell Smallwood, and Corey Clement also we a big part of the teams new found commitment to the run game. Philadelphia’s 214 rushing yards marked the team’s highest single-game total since 11/27/14 at Dallas (256 yards – W, 33-10). The Eagles have rushed for 190+ yards in 2 straight games for just the third time since 1995.

"Every week you try to go in and you try to establish your running game," explained Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.

"That's the first thing you have to do. If you can do that, it will open up a little play action pass, it will open up shots down the field. And that's kind of where you want to start."

Fans and media have been lobbying for more of a commitment to the run for weeks.

"We want to go in and establish that run, play action pass with Carson, being able to move him around a little bit," Pederson continued. "It's sort of the direction that I think our offense needs to go in."

Back in May, Blount signed a a one-year, $1.25 million contract, after the Patriots let him walk following a 1,161 yard, 18 touchdown campaign. Sunday Blount became the first Eagle to rush for 136 or more yards in a single game since LeSean McCoy and it paid off for the offense, setting up a 3-yard touchdown plunge from Smallwood.

Blount 68-yard in the fourth quarter was the second-longest of his career, and set up the Smallwood score.

Clement also proved to have a big role, getting some key carries late in the game with three carries on the Eagles' final drive.  Overall, the rookie had 10 carreis for 30 yards.

"Yeah, he's been a real bright spot since we got him," Pederson said. "And again he's one of those guys that runs extremely aggressively and hard, and it goes all the way back to OTA's, and training camp. And listen, I trust all our players, quite honestly."

"So it's no different with Corey. I'm going to put him in those situations. He did an outstanding job when called upon, again, yesterday. We continue to grow that area with him and keep him coming."