The Philadelphia Eagles are undefeated at 3-0 but don’t confuse their unblemished record with the same alacrity and power that they dominated their playoff opponents with last year on their way to a Super Bowl title. The offensive ground attack is nowhere near the juggernaut it was in 2024 and the slow start has affected or should I say “infected” the entire offense.
Last year, the Eagles didn’t just run the ball well they imposed their will. Saquon Barkley had space to hit the second level untouched, the offensive line mauled defenders off the line of scrimmage, and Philadelphia led the league in explosive runs. Through three games in 2025? That dominance has all but disappeared.
The Drop-Off in Production
The numbers tell the story.
2024 rushing yards per game: 125.3, yards per carry: 5.0
2025 rushing yards per game: 122.0, yards per carry: 3.9
That may not sound catastrophic, but the difference shows up on film. Barkley averaged 3.8 yards before contact last year, the highest mark in the NFL. This year, that number has plummeted to 2.0 yards before contact. Defenders are getting to him early, and it’s shutting down the explosive element that defined Philly’s offense last season.
Saquon Barkley: 2024 vs. 2025 (Through Week 3)
Stat 2024 Season 2025 Season (Through 3 Games) Yards Per Carry 5.0 3.9 Yards Before Contact/Attempt 3.8 2.0 Runs of 20+ Yards 12 0 Runs of 30+ Yards 6 0 Runs of 40+ Yards 3 0 Runs of 50+ Yards 2 0 Rushing Yards Per Game 104.5 81.3 Rushing Touchdowns 15 2
Last year, Barkley was an explosive play waiting to happen. This year, he’s grinding for every inch. Instead of racing untouched into daylight, he’s facing defenders before he even hits the line of scrimmage.
The Offensive Line: A Liability
Run blocking was the heartbeat of this team last year. Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata still looks like a rock, but center Cam Jurgens has struggled inside and Landon Dickerson has been inconsistent. Injuries, shuffling and the loss of Mekhi Becton to free agency have limited cohesion, and it shows.
The line isn’t getting the same push, and when you’re a downhill team built on opening lanes for Barkley, every missed assignment gets magnified. Barkley can make one man miss but not three in the backfield, in his face, the majority of his carries.
Predictability is a Liability
Defenses aren’t just playing better they’re reading the Eagles like an open book. Why? Because the Birds have become predictable. Formations have been tipping the run vs. pass far too often. The heavy reliance on gap runs and quarterback keepers has turned into a tell. Opponents are loading the box, selling out to stop Barkley, and daring Hurts to beat them through the air.
When you have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith outside, that’s a dangerous invitation. But it also highlights the lack of balance in play design.
What Needs to Change
The Eagles don’t need to reinvent their identity, but tweaks are essential:
Vary formations and personnel. Stop telegraphing plays. Mix shotgun runs, two-tight end sets, and motion to keep defenses honest.
Diversify run concepts. Mix in more outside zone and misdirection to prevent defenders from keying on the same looks.
Refine the O-Line’s fundamentals. Jurgens and Dickerson need to settle in. Winning one-on-one matchups has to become a weekly expectation, not a question mark.
Use Hurts creatively. Lean on RPOs and varied QB runs not just lateral plays, but downhill power concepts that keep defenses guessing.
Leverage play-action. When the run game looks dangerous again, it will unlock vertical shots to Brown and Smith, forcing defenses to loosen up.
Reverse Fields
The Eagles can win games throwing the ball. They’ve proven that already. But their swagger, their identity, their culture has always been tied to owning the trenches and getting Barkley in space.
Right now, the run game is stuck in neutral. If Philly wants to keep this undefeated streak alive deep into the season, it starts with cleaning up the blocking, reestablishing rhythm, and putting defenses back on their heels.
Last year the ground game opened up the airial attack. This season they might have to do things in reverse because if the Eagles aren’t dictating terms on the ground, they’re not playing their brand of football and their brand of football is rooted in the basics of old-school football – 60 yards and a cloud of dust.