Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles offense has a major first down problem

Published Sep. 23, 2015 5:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Zach Kruse

The Philadelphia Eagles rank 28th in points scored and 25th in total yards after two weeks in the 2015 season.

The offense’s inability to run on first down represents at least one of the reasons why.

Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News provided this illuminating stat Wednesday:

In other words, the Eagles are averaging about 4.5 inches per running play on first down.

Throwing away first down has big consequences. As Domowitch also pointed out, Philadelphia’s offense has faced 13 third downs of seven or more yards. The Eagles have converted just one of those opportunities.

Overall, the Eagles are 5-of-23 on third down this season (21.7%). Only one team—the Kansas City Chiefs (15.0%)—has a worse third-down conversion percentage.

Against the Cowboys in Week 2, the Eagles rushed seven times for exactly two yards on first down. Philadelphia produced just one first down before half time, attempted 17 runs for seven yards and finished 2-for-11 on third down.

The Eagles might not recover until the offense stops running in place on first down.

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