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Eagles believe college roots will help defend Wilson
PHILADELPHIA — A week after holding NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray to a season-low 73 yards, the Philadelphia Eagles face another big challenge Sunday when they take on the 8-4 Seattle Seahawks and their No. 1-ranked rushing attack.
The Eagles have held their past seven opponents to 3.7 yards per carry, the fifth-best average in the league over that period. But the Seahawks present the unique challenge of not only having a dangerous running back – Marshawn Lynch – but also a dangerous running quarterback – Russell Wilson.
Wilson is 15th in the league in rushing with 679 yards. He is ninth in rushing first downs (39) and first in third-down rushing (210 yards on 21 carries).
Wilson is averaging 5.9 yards per carry on zone reads and designed runs and 9.6 yards per carry on scrambles.
The Seahawks run the zone-read more than any team in the league. Wilson has rushed for 306 yards on 52 zone-read plays.
“When we played San Francisco and (Colin) Kaepernick, they didn’t really run the zone-read much,” linebacker Connor Barwin said. “Cam Newton didn’t run it when we played Carolina. But these guys run it. It’s their No. 1 play. Wilson does a great job of pulling it (away from the running back) and running with the ball. And he protects himself and doesn’t get hit.”
The Eagles are well-prepared for dealing with the zone-read. They run it themselves even though they don’t have a mobile quarterback. And most of defensive coordinator Bill Davis’ assistants came to the Eagles from college, where the zone-read is as common as soft pretzels in Philly.
“Our guys have spent a career defending it, and it’s old hat to them,” said Davis, who has spent his entire coaching career in the NFL. “They’ve got answers for everything right away.
“As an NFL lifer, I haven’t had to have those (zone-read) discussions a lot in my career. But over the last two years – again, we face it in practice every day, so that’s a benefit to us. And the coaches we have are not only outstanding coaches on any scheme, but the read-option is part of what they know well.”
SERIES HISTORY: 14th meeting. Eagles lead the series, 7-6. The Seahawks have won three of the past four meetings, including the most recent one in December of 2011 in Seattle, a 31-14 victory.
NOTES: QB Nick Foles will miss his fifth straight game as he continues to heal from a broken collarbone. The earliest he might be cleared to play would be Week 16 against the Redskins. … PK Cody Parkey (groin) was a limited practice participant Wednesday. It’s too soon to guess on his availability for Sunday’s game. … RB Chris Polk (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday. He has an ankle injury. … LB Emmanuel Acho (groin) was a full practice participant Wednesday. If he plays this week, he will rotate at one of the inside spots with Casey Matthews. … TE Trey Burton (hamstring) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
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