Scouting Report: Eagles Pass Rush Presents Problems for Steelers

The undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers get their third straight home game as they welcome a Philadelphia Eagles team that has been in disarray thus far on the season. However, the Eagles are coming off of a big win against the San Francisco 49ers. After picking up their first victory of the year and gaining some momentum, what will the Steelers be seeing in the battered Eagles?

Eagles’ Schemes

Doug Pederson’s scheme is one that he takes lots of influence from across the league. There are still leftover remnants from Frank Reich’s offense from the Super Bowl year. Those remnants that show up are often plays that can create traffic. So, for example mesh plays, bunch formations, and most importantly, rub routes. The Eagles have run more and more rub routes as of recent to try and help Carson Wentz get into a rhythm. They truly do some fascinating things with their pick plays, however, especially near the goal line.

From last week against the 49ers, this is a simple RPO that the Eagles love to use. The Eagles scheme builds on top of itself. Lots of quick action plays and misdirection are prevalent. They are not shy about using an abundance of RPOs, play action, and pre-snap motion. However, it is how they use their picks that is truly unique. While most teams use their big receivers and tight ends as picks, the Eagles often use their smaller receivers to open up their tight ends. On this play, they use Greg Ward on a slant route to open up the quick flat throw to Ertz. That is a key aspect of their scheme.

One thing that will become abundantly clear throughout the game is that the Eagles absolutely love to get their tight ends and running backs involved in the passing game. Running backs run swing, wheel, angle, and all different types of routes that aid Wentz with a hot check whenever he needs it. Even with Dallas Goedert out for the game, Ertz and Richard Rodgers are used frequently. Expect lots of 12 personnel, both tight to the line and spread out. The Eagles have a mode where they go empty and up-tempo, and it has some of their deep plays combed within it.

Look familiar? It should, as it is the same play that Houston used on the missed Brandin Cooks play against the Steelers. One of the big concepts in the Pederson scheme is smash and particularly the smash fade. On this play, Goedert beats his man off the line and the free safety can not get over in time. With the Steelers getting exposed against this very concept against Houston, it would stand to be said Pederson will throw this in somewhere. As for the running game, the Eagles run all different types of runs and refuse to hang their hat on anything. Still, Wentz is a threat to run, and zone reads are a staple of the Eagles rushing attack.

As for the defense, the Eagles run a base 4-3 defense. They often let their base ends use a wide 9-technique, which is something that has been a staple in Philadelphia for years now. The issue that Jim Schwartz has been called out for before is that his scheme is hard to execute. This is usually true, as the Schwartz scheme does isolate defensive backs on an island at times. Schwartz likes Cover 2, Cover 1, and sometimes even going for the daring Cover 0. He tries to compensate this with a variety of fronts up front that can give him more blitzing options. The problem is when the talent is not there to execute such a tough, inelastic scheme, the defense will get burnt like toast.

Players to Watch

QB Carson Wentz

Wentz has got to be the oddest quarterback the Steelers have faced all year. For one, there is no guarantee which Wentz will show up on Sunday. Throughout his career, Wentz has been the very definition of a human roller coaster ride at the quarterback position. Thus far on the year, however, he has struggled. Troubling decision-making and awful lower body mechanics have been his downfall. Wentz has been far too prone to turnovers and erratic with his accuracy throughout the season. However, he does have quite a good arm. Most importantly, Wentz’s mobility and escapability make him dangerous to extend the play, much like Deshaun Watson.

TE Zach Ertz

With Goedert, Alshon Jeffrey, and Desean Jackson all out on Sunday, Ertz is going to be force-fed the ball. Ertz acts as the main mechanism of Pederson’s offense and is Wentz’s safety blanket. While not as athletic as some of the tight ends the Steelers have faced early in the season, Ertz may be the most physically imposing. In terms of making combat catches, that is where Ertz can shine over someone like Noah Fant. For his size, Ertz has always been a particularly graceful route runner as well and he can separate with consistency.

DT Fletcher Cox

This is a star-studded Eagles pass rush group, but most importantly the Steelers will have to focus on the leader of that group. Fletcher Cox is still one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL and has notoriously had the number of Steelers guard David DeCastro. Even as he ages, Cox is explosive, powerful, and most importantly, has elite hands and pass-rush plan. He is so savvy that through his technical ability alone, Cox is still a problem up front for most teams.

Matchups to Watch

Terrell Edmunds vs Zach Ertz

Edmunds has been the main guy for the Steelers this year against tight ends. In fact, in man coverage, almost no one but Edmunds goes on the tight ends. Through three games, he has been virtually lockdown when facing tight ends. Evan Engram and Fant are two very good players, but Ertz will be his stiffest challenge yet. With Ertz as the main weapon for the Eagles in the passing game, Edmunds has to stay disciplined an at least try to focus on playing through the catch point. If he can not at least time his jump properly or get his head around, he is at risk of giving up big catches or pass interference calls.

Eagles Pass Rush vs Steelers Offensive Line

If the Eagles want to win this game, it will have to be through rattling Ben Roethlisberger. Cox, Javon Hargrave, Brandon Graham, and Derek Barnett are just a few names that line along this impressive defensive front for Philadelphia. With a young, still gelling offensive line, the Eagles have the opportunity to stake out some wins here. However, if the Steelers can keep Roethlisberger upright, they have an exposed and underperforming Eagles secondary to take advantage of at will with their skill positon talent.