Eagles expect heavy dose of LeSean McCoy
Chip Kelly saw LeSean McCoy up close for two years, so he did not need to finish game planning to know what to expect when the Buffalo Bills visit on Sunday. Kelly expects to see a heavy dose of McCoy, the Eagles' all-time leading rusher who Kelly unceremoniously traded to the Bills in March.
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Chip Kelly saw LeSean McCoy up close for two years, so he did not need to finish game planning to know what to expect when the Buffalo Bills visit on Sunday. Kelly expects to see a heavy dose of McCoy, the Eagles' all-time leading rusher who Kelly unceremoniously traded to the Bills in March.
"I know he's having a good year, but I haven't really broken down film or looked at anything like that," Kelly said. "I know he's the focal point of their offense and we have to do a good job of team tackling against him because, obviously, seeing him in person and knowing him, he's going to make the first guy miss, sometimes the second guy miss. But we've got to stop the run against Buffalo."
McCoy has 792 rushing yards on 173 carries this season. He topped 100 rushing yards in three of his past five games. Finally healthy, McCoy is producing like the player who starred for the Eagles – especially under Kelly during the past two seasons. And he's in a system that emphasizes the running game.
"I think [Bills offensive coordinator] Greg Roman does a great job as an offensive coordinator, and he has always been a run guy," Kelly said. "It starts with LeSean, so our defense better get ready to play this week because we are playing against a really good back."
When McCoy was asked by reporters on Sunday about this weekend's game, he responded, "You all know who [is] next."
"He was drafted by the Eagles, had some great years with the Eagles, loves the fans," Bills coach Rex Ryan told reporters on Monday. "He's got a great rapport and respect for his former teammates. That's why I think it's going to be a huge game for him, just because of all those factors."
Ready for prime time
The Eagles-Cardinals game on Dec. 20 has been flexed to Sunday Night Football, the NFL announced Monday.
The game was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. It will now be played at 8:30 p.m. on NBC. The game is more appealing after the Eagles' 35-28 win over the Patriots on Sunday. Arizona is 10-2 and in first place in the NFC West.
The Eagles have a Saturday night game against Washington in Week 16, so they will play back-to-back primetime games. If the season finale againt the Giants is also flexed, it would mean the Eagles close the season with three primetime games.