The Philadelphia Eagles need a win in Week 16 against the Washington Redskins if they intend to remain in the hunt for the playoffs. With the Redskins currently controlling the NFC East, a win keeps the Eagles in the standings. Looking to bounce back after a blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the offense will continue to not feature DeMarco Murray, something he is trying not to be concerned with.
According to ESPN.com, Mathews will continue as the starter for the Eagles and while he might not get the number of carries that a workhorse running back would get, he is the guy the team is going to turn to in critical situations. That means Murray continues to fade into the background. The former NFL leading rusher got just two carries in Week 15 and that could be a trend in the final two games of the year. Murray told the media he cannot worry anymore about how many times he touches the ball.
"At the end of the day, you've got a position to make the playoffs, and that's what a lot of people's focus is on," Murray said, via Philly.com. "I can't worry about how many plays I'm getting and things of that nature. I can only control what I can control, and whenever I get in, I just have to make the best of it. I can't worry about it. I'm blessed. I have an opportunity to play in the NFL and be healthy, and I have a beautiful wife and beautiful little girl and a boy on the way, so at the end of the day, I can't complain."
Head coach Chip Kelly made it clear that he will not change the running game plan just to get someone more carries. He favors a decent split between four running backs and that will remain the same. With Sam Bradford playing well in the last few weeks, the run game is not needed as a priority of the offense, but more as a compliment. That plan has been working for the Eagles and Kelly will not change it.
"When they're in there, they're fresh," Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said, via ESPN.com. "That's our approach. If we had one running back that was far and away better than the other ones, you would see a guy getting most of the snaps. We just happen to have guys that we think are good and we don't mind when they're in there."
Fantasy owners would be wise to avoid the Eagles' run game in the playoffs. Zach Ertz and Jordan Matthews are the stars to pay attention to. Meanwhile, Murray, Mathews, Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner will simply try and make the most of what they are given.