Chiefs Rushing D vs. Eagles & Barkley

[teedubya]

How do the Chiefs stop Barkley?

Total Rushing Yards in 2024: The Eagles accumulated 3,048 rushing yards during the 2024 season

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/eagles-rushing-stats

In the playoffs, Barkley averaged 147.3 rushing yards per game with five touchdowns.

https://phillysportsnetwork.com/2025...numbers-stats/

The Chiefs allowed an average of 101.8 rushing yards per game during the 2024 season

Despite allowing a moderate number of rushing yards, the Chiefs have been effective in limiting explosive runs, which could help them contain the Eagles' powerful running game

https://underdognetwork.com/football...iefs-vs-eagles

In the playoffs, James Cook of Buffalo... rushed for 85 yards on 13 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

His longest run was for 33 yards, showcasing his ability to break tackles and gain significant yardage.

So, it would seem that the way to beat Philadelphia lies at the hands of the rushing defense.

How do we stop Barkley?

[Gary Cooper]

Is this much different than the 49ers last year?

Elite running team
Super star RB
Weapons at WR and TE
Question mark at QB

The Eagles have a better O-line though. Outside of Trent Williams I don't remember the 49ers line being that imposing last year.

[Wisconsin_Chief]

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

I mean, a 2k yard running back DOES negatively impact passing statistics. They clearly didnt need Hurts to throw for 4k+ with that ground game.

The guy can still sling it if it goes that way.

I totally get that, but throwing for under 3,000 yards while playing in almost every game in this day and age is pretty uninspiring, no matter how great your ground game is. I mean, considering his weapons, you would think they would try to mix it up more.

If what you say is true, I won't be shocked to see some early play action deep shots to make us respect the pass. Until they hit on something, I'd still play the game as if Barkley is my one and only concern. He single handedly won them games, and we simply can't let that happen. Make them beat you any other way, just like the Pats used to do to Kelce and Hill.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief

I totally get that, but throwing for under 3,000 yards while playing in almost every game in this day and age is pretty uninspiring, no matter how great your ground game is. I mean, considering his weapons, you would think they would try to mix it up more.

If what you say is true, I won't be shocked to see some early play action deep shots to make us respect the pass. Until they hit on something, I'd still play the game as if Barkley is my one and only concern. He single handedly won them games, and we simply can't let that happen. Make them beat you any other way, just like the Pats used to do to Kelce and Hill.

Yeah, I'd check in on their basic stats sometimes and was surprised they went with such a run heavy offense... there are teams like the Ravens and 9ers that do so out of necessity and they haven't won shit.

The Eagles, OTOH made it to a SB throwing 4000 yards/season and almost beat Mahomes doing it, so let's go run heavy?

I know every defense besides the Bills figured out their high school offense last season, but still... Hurts isn't Lamar Jackson or Brock Purdy bad and surely they could figure something out (again, unless it's all 5D chess, but I don't think Spags bites anyway).

[Wisconsin_Chief]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, I'd check in on their basic stats sometimes and was surprised they went with such a run heavy offense... there are teams like the Ravens and 9ers that do so out of necessity and they haven't won shit.

The Eagles, OTOH made it to a SB throwing 4000 yards/season and almost beat Mahomes doing it, so let's go run heavy?

I know every defense besides the Bills figured out their high school offense last season, but still... Hurts isn't Lamar Jackson or Brock Purdy bad and surely they could figure something out (again, unless it's all 5D chess, but I don't think Spags bites anyway).

Yeah, I just can't see Sirianni and Moore being on the level to play 5D chess, and even if they try, I think Reid and Spags are the chess masters of that world. They will get eaten alive.

They're going to come out and do what got them here, and the dude is going to get his yards. However, they will not beat us with just their ground game. They will need to get production through the air, and I think our pass defense is more than up for what they have to offer. It's going to be all on the legs of Hurts and Barkley, and as good as they are in that area, you can't beat this team if you can't pass the ball.

We'll see if they can. My money is on Spags and this defense making it next to impossible for them.

[Wallcrawler]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief

I totally get that, but throwing for under 3,000 yards while playing in almost every game in this day and age is pretty uninspiring, no matter how great your ground game is. I mean, considering his weapons, you would think they would try to mix it up more.

If what you say is true, I won't be shocked to see some early play action deep shots to make us respect the pass. Until they hit on something, I'd still play the game as if Barkley is my one and only concern. He single handedly won them games, and we simply can't let that happen. Make them beat you any other way, just like the Pats used to do to Kelce and Hill.

Bro it's Kellen Moore.

My brother ran more plays in one game of Madden when he was 6 than Kellen Moore runs in his entire nfl offense.

[Wallcrawler]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

And yet Troy Aikman catches shade for the same dynamic.

Troy Aikman wasn't, isn't and never will be more than a walking, talking cock tip.

[Wisconsin_Chief]

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

Bro it's Kellen Moore.

My brother ran more plays in one game of Madden when he was 6 than Kellen Moore runs in his entire nfl offense.

LOL, exactly. I just can't see him and Sirianni coming into the biggest game of their lives and outclassing Reid and Spags who are on the verge of history. Especially since Spags has been totally focused on the task at hand while Moore is busy gathering up a staff for his coming exit.

It would have to be the most epic performance they both will ever have in their existence, and I simply cannot see that happening.

[RaidersOftheCellar]

I just don't fear running backs. Especially now that the Chiefs have a competent run defense.

[tyton75]

I think Spags will run a lot of different run blitz's to keep things contained but he isn't above getting fooled. In my mind, it will boil down to; If Mahomes has time in the pocket, we win.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Rausch

While most here are use to Rain Man's sense of humor this is not a joke. Pennel has been a beast in the post season. He's an all pro wrecker once the playoffs start.

Oh, yeah. I'm dead serious. Pennel completely tilts the odds for us. The line of scrimmage belongs to him on running plays.

[TheGuardian]

He's gonna get his yards. Here's my fear.......

We've played so many close games this year, and there's been a few games where late in the 4th, we had trouble getting the team off the field due to not being able to stop the run.

We still won those games, but the issue is Barkley isn't gonna get 4-5 yards. He'll bust the 60 and if we're down in a close game that could seal it due to it being a two possession game.

So if it's like 27-24 and Philly is up late in the 4th and then Barkley busts off that long run, then we're down two possessions late. Similar to the Bills game in the regular season.

This is really a game where Pennell and Bolton have to play like all pros.

[Megatron96]

Barkley is the closest thing we've seen to Barry. He isn't Barry, but he's the closest thing.
And he actually has an elite OL. He could wreck the game all by himself.


I just believe that Spags will have an answer for him, and hold him to something reasonable, at least through the first half or so. At that point, it'll be up to Andy and Mahomes to somehow get a lead late and force Hurts to throw instead of handing off.


Easier said than done, but that has to be the gameplan in a nutshell.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

He's gonna get his yards. Here's my fear.......

We've played so many close games this year, and there's been a few games where late in the 4th, we had trouble getting the team off the field due to not being able to stop the run.

We still won those games, but the issue is Barkley isn't gonna get 4-5 yards. He'll bust the 60 and if we're down in a close game that could seal it due to it being a two possession game.

So if it's like 27-24 and Philly is up late in the 4th and then Barkley busts off that long run, then we're down two possessions late. Similar to the Bills game in the regular season.

This is really a game where Pennell and Bolton have to play like all pros.

LOL, this isn't Madden.

He had 7 carries all season over 40 yards and 17 carries over 20.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nf...season-numbers

https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-sta...yardseach/DESC

40+ yards....
Barkley - one every 49 carries (7)
Henry - one every 65 carries (5)
Cook - one every 52 carries (4)

20+ yards....
Barkley - one every 20 carries (17)
Henry - one every 17 carries (19)

It's obviously a big challenge, especially with their offensive line, but we don't have to act like it's a foregone conclusion he's going to bust some 60 yard runs... the delta between him and other really good running backs isn't THAT insanely different, especially when you consider they haven't played one top 5 defense all season and only like 5 top half defenses.