D’Andre Swift went from 3 to 175 in a single week’s time.
Rushing previous Minnesota Vikings defenders, Swift posted a career-high 175 dashing yards because the Philadelphia Eagles’ floor assault ran roughshod en path to a 34-28 win on Thursday Evening Soccer.
It was a homecoming to recollect for the Philadelphia native enjoying in his first house recreation at Lincoln Monetary Subject.
“It is a blessing,” mentioned Swift, who turned the primary Eagle with 175 yards and a landing on the bottom since LeSean McCoy in 2013, per NFL Research. “Particularly, house opener, first recreation enjoying within the stadium, simply thank God.”
Seemingly an afterthought in his Eagles debut per week prior, Swift had only one carry for 3 yards in his group’s win over the New England Patriots with two touches complete.
4 nights later, Swift averaged 6.3 yards a carry and outran the Vikings’ whole offense, 175-28. He ended the night time with 31 touches for 181 yards. The aforementioned career-best 175 dashing yards got here on 28 carries, which stands as his second-highest profession tally and simply the second time he is surpassed 20 carries in a recreation.
“He simply confirmed imaginative and prescient, explosiveness,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni mentioned. “I assumed the offensive line did an exceptional job of pushing them off the ball. So, I used to be actually happy he protected the ball.
“That was numerous touches, too. Not solely happy with how he noticed it and the way he hit it, but additionally thought he protected the ball. Particularly, when they’re coming after it in conditions on the finish of the sport like that.”
The previous Detroit Lions again was each bit the bell cow because the Eagles scored three touchdowns on the bottom and racked up a convincing 259 dashing yards Thursday. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was the beneficiary of Swift’s offensive excellence, sneaking for a pair of touchdowns that got here after Swift had led Philly to the 1-yard line.
Trailing, 7-3, within the second quarter, Hurts’ first TD sneak concluded a 16-play, 75-yard march by which Swift carried the ball eight occasions for 39 yards. On the Eagles’ opening drive of the third quarter, Swift took a handoff after a Kirk Cousins fumble on the Vikings’ 7-yard line and burst by the left facet for a 6-yard acquire, as soon as once more establishing Hurts.
Swift lastly bought his first Eagles TD deep within the fourth quarter on a 2-yard plunge. By then, he’d already run to his first 100-yard recreation since Week 1 of final season, which so occurred to be in opposition to the Eagles.
Within the aftermath of the Eagles’ sluggish win over the Pats, first-year offensive coordinator Brian Johnson mentioned he’d be “mindful” of getting Swift the ball extra. Johnson did, and Swift repaid his coach in type.
Granted, Eagles operating again Kenneth Gainwell was inactive because of a rib damage, so it was a bit simpler to divvy up extra carries to Swift, however contemplating his efficiency Thursday, Philly will probably be hard-pressed to minimize his load going ahead.
Swift flashed brilliance lots throughout three seasons with the Lions, whetting anticipation that he could possibly be a Professional Bowl-caliber, 1,000-yard runner. Neither occurred for the 24-year-old RB, who’s been hampered by accidents and missed no less than three video games every season.
So, the Eagles nonetheless need to proceed with warning, however Swift produced 175 causes for optimism going ahead along with his new franchise.
“He is wonderful,” Eagles huge receiver DeVonta Smith mentioned. “He is a foul m———–.”
