The Philadelphia Eagles prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers in a high-stakes Wild Card matchup, and the focus naturally falls on star players like Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and A.J. Brown.
But former Eagles center Jason Kelce believes the team’s true advantage could come from a less heralded contributor.
With the 49ers‘ defense known for its discipline and versatility, Kelce is urging Philadelphia to lean on running back Tank Bigsby.
On SportsRadio 94 WIP this week, Kelce emphasized that Bigsby‘s limited but efficient touches deserve expansion in the big game.
“I hope to see a pretty decent usage of Tank at this point,” Kelce said. “I mean, how many times does a guy have to flash to be like, ‘Why are we not giving this guy more? I mean, that’s the reality of it.”
He added, “And it pairs up so well with what Saquon does. If you want to be… Saquon is so good at reading these zone plays and hitting them frontside, hitting them backside. Tank isn’t reading anything, I’m convinced.”
Bigsby‘s efficiency, hovering near 6.0 yards per carry when on the field this season, has drawn analytical attention, particularly in matchups where Philadelphia needs to diversify its ground game.
Many Eagles offensive critiques this year have centered around the team’s identity and the sometimes predictable nature of its playcalling, especially with veteran back Saquon Barkley as the workhorse.
Allowing role players like Bigsby more touches could force San Francisco‘s defense into uncomfortable decisions about run fits and key gaps.
What the Eagles are up against
The 49ers, despite injuries that have impacted their defense over the season, still have enough talent to present a scheme challenge.
Their defense has shown flashes of resistance and versatility, particularly in red-zone situations against strong opponents.
Limiting explosive plays while maintaining discipline against San Francisco‘s power runners like Christian McCaffrey will be critical for Philadelphia‘s success.
Yet the Eagles‘ own strengths are worth noting. Philadelphia finished the regular season as one of the elite redzone scoring teams in the NFL, converting more than 70% of its redzone trips into touchdowns, a statistic that often correlates with postseason success.
The Eagles also boast a defense capable of generating pressure and limiting big plays when their front seven plays aggressively, a key to slowing teams like San Francisco.
For the Eagles, the opportunity to capitalize on homefield advantage and exploit matchups where they enjoy statistical edges, like redzone efficiency and a disruptive pass rush, will be central to their game plan.
On offense, integrating Bigsby more meaningfully could pay dividends, especially if it complements the established strengths of Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Meanwhile, San Francisco counters with a potent combination of veteran playmakers and strategic balance.
McCaffrey‘s all-purpose role has defined much of the 49ers‘ success this season, giving them flexibility in both run and pass scenarios.
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