The Philadelphia Eagles got the much-needed win that quieted the sirens from going off for at least a moment. The team beat the New York Jets on Sunday who entered the day undefeated. Despite not having DeMarco Murray in the lineup, the Eagles were still able to get the win thanks to other offensive players stepping up. Heading into Week 4, it is clear that the best playmaker for the Eagles is Darren Sproles after a solid performance on Sunday regardless if Murray is back.
According to Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation, Murray returned to practice on Tuesday for the Eagles after suffering a hamstring injury that kept him out of Week 3 play. Murray status is still unknown heading into this week, but getting him back at training sessions was a welcomed sight for Eagles fans. However, while Murray is the assumed star of the show, the team got by just fine without him in Week 3 which begs the question of what his role will be moving forward.
Sproles was the spark needed. While the veteran might not have been overly active in the offense, he put up 89 yards on punt returns setting up the Eagles' scoring drives while also getting a score himself. The running back has always been a special teams star, but this was the game where he truly made the biggest difference on the field.
"Just his versatility," said Sam Bradford, via CSNPhilly.com. "What he's able to do in the backfield, what he's able to do in the slot, and obviously his punt return today. That was a big momentum swing in the game. Just so many different things that he does really well. We can utilize him in so many different ways. I don't think there's a lot of guys that can do that."
Head coach Chip Kelly is once again being coy about the running back lineup heading into Week 4. With Ryan Mathews also having a good game, it is unclear what Murray's return does to the mix. Kelly has remained adamant that the backs would split carries going forward.
"I have no idea," Kelly said, via NJ.com. "That's not a concern for any of us. I think DeMarco fits in perfectly with what we are doing, and Ryan fits in perfectly with what we are doing. So does Sproles."
One thing is clear, the Eagles want to run the ball more. Kelly hinted that will be the key for the offense as the passing game struggles. Nelson Agholor, Riley Cooper and Josh Huff were nowhere to be seen in terms of production which must change if the Eagles are going to pick things up. While Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz lead the group, it is not enough. Agholor knows he must step up and is looking to his teammates like Matthews for help.
"He's just got to keep grinding through it," offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said, via ESPN.com. "I think there's a lot of similarities to his game if you compare it to Jordan Matthews a year ago. You know, he was kind of grinding it out and we were all asking questions, 'When is it going to happen? When is it going to happen?' And boom, he had a game where he had a good bunch of production."
