Russell Wilson poses unique threat to Eagles' ‘D' despite injuries

Share

The Eagles' defensive scheme may be different this time around, but the challenges Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson present haven't changed.

Or have they?

Hampered by lower-body injuries for much of the season, Wilson hasn't been feeling like his usual self in 2016. The three-time Pro Bowler remains an efficient passer, only while doing a lot less with his legs.

Wilson had never run for fewer than 489 yards or a 5.2 average in his first four seasons in the NFL, yet has just 60 yards and a 1.9 average through nine games. Although despite the seemingly significant handicap, the Seahawks offense has managed just fine without the quarterback scrambles.

"With the injuries, I haven't been able to do quite as much in terms of some of the extended plays, but I've been able to get the ball out on time, get the ball in our playmakers' hands and let them make plays," Wilson said. "We're doing a great job of that right now."

Regardless, the Eagles aren't treating the Wilson of 2016 any different.

"One of the reasons he's been successful through his career is that he's not a one-trick pony," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said.

"We're going to be concerned with his ability to make plays and his ability to extend plays, his ability to make plays with his feet, to run for first downs."

"I still don't put it past him," defensive end Brandon Graham said. "He's a dynamic player. They just know how to win."

Wilson may be running the ball far less, and far less effectively. The extent to which he's still hurt might be up for debate however.

While the knee remains listed on the injury report, Wilson has been a full participant in practice. Some Eagles players and coaches observed that it doesn't look like he's hindered much at all anymore, even if that hasn't translated to better rushing numbers.

"Every week, Russell Wilson has gotten healthier," Schwartz said. "Last week he looked like he was back to himself. I don't know how much his knee injury is still bothering him, but it didn't look like a lot."

Whether Wilson is 100 percent or not, the Eagles agree they want to focus on keeping him inside the pocket.

"The most important thing this week is contain the football," defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. "Coach has stressed that all week."

"Get in his face and get a good pass rush. If we're sacking him, then he can't get out of the pocket. When we're getting pressure in his face, making him make mistakes and making him throw bad throws, then I think we'll be fine."

"We just have to make sure he doesn't beat us with his legs," Graham said. "He scrambles to pass. It's not really to run, it's really to throw the ball, and that's really when he can create more down-the-field plays, when he's running around. Throwing the deep ball is usually after that, so we just have to make sure we contain him."

The Eagles last faced Wilson in 2014, a 24-14 loss, but one in which the defense harassed and landed several big shots on the quarterback. The Super Bowl champion quarterback was on the receiving end of five quarterback hits, including two sacks, and was also tackled in the backfield for losses on two runs.

It didn't seem to matter much, as Wilson completed 22 of 37 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, and carried 10 times for 48 and a score.

Of course, that was against an Eagles that finished 28th in the NFL. While defensive linemen Graham, Cox, Connor Barwin, Bennie Logan and Vinny Curry as well as linebacker Mychal Kendricks all played a role, the front seven has been rejuvenated under Schwartz.

They also learned a thing or two from the last Russell Wilson experience.

"Just playing against him a couple years ago, knowing what he can do with his feet, we'll do a better job of containing him," Cox said.

"You just have to continue to keep rushing, keep going after him," Graham said. "You can't give up.

"I think we have a lot of guys that are in shape and want to run around and try to get to him because we know other people are coming in if we need a blow to relieve us. Just leave everything out there, all five seconds to play. Hopefully we don't make it 10."

As Schwartz said, designs on stopping a talent like Wilson might sound good in theory, but they're difficult in execution. Graham's plan is simple.

"Just run around with him, because he's going to do his thing, and we've got to do ours."

Contact Us