3 Eagles the Saints have to slow down in Week 11
By Kristen Wong
3. Miles Sanders
The Eagles recently activated Miles Sanders from injured reserve with the expectation that he’ll start against the Saints on Sunday.
Sanders missed the last three games due to injury, but his return to the Eagles’ backfield could seriously threaten the Saints’ D.
NOLA has one of the best run defenses in the league, but Philly has been tinkering with their running schemes in the last few weeks and could come out with a game plan for Sanders that no one saw coming.
After rushing for 74 yards on 15 carries in Week 1, Sanders never saw as many touches in subsequent weeks. The Eagles were heavily criticized for their lack of a running game early in the season, and part of that was due to coach Nick Sirianni not including Sanders in big game plays.
Other backs have filled in nicely for Sanders: Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Jordan Howard. Howard in particular will likely still feature as a strong RB2 to lessen Sanders’ workload.
But Sanders is the clear RB1 of this Eagles team, and there’s a good chance Philly will want to maximize his efficiency for the rest of the season.
Sanders currently ranks second on the team in rushing yards (300) behind quarterback Jalen Hurts. The fourth-year back posted back-to-back 800-plus seasons in the last two years, and in 2021, he’s only been hindered by injuries and the Eagles’ lack of a coherent running game.
Now that Sanders is presumably healthy enough to play in Week 11, and now that Philly have developed more of an identity in the backfield, Sanders could be primed for his most productive game yet.