Eagles Mailbag: Running backs, Jordan Matthews, new faces

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The Eagles will have an extremely tough test this weekend, when they welcome in one of the NFC's best teams. 

The Cardinals are the only team in the NFL with a top-four offense and defense. 

Although it's a tough matchup, it might not mean much for the Eagles' playoff chances. See, despite what happens this weekend, if the Eagles win their last two games (against the Redskins and Giants) they'll win the division. 

Still, one game at a time, right? 

Let's get to your questions: 

Darren Sproles is the guy the Eagles like to get out there in 3rd-and-long situations, and for good reason. He's the running back best suited for those situations because of his pass-catching skills and ability to make guys miss. He can be a threat in the screen game. 

On 3rd-and-short, if I were the coach, the ball would be going to Ryan Mathews. He's the most hard-nosed runner of the three. If I wanted a hard yard, he's the guy I'm calling on. Interestingly, DeMarco Murray seemed to get at least some of those carries against the Bills last week. 

I think the formula we saw against the Bills will be the formula going forward. Mathews and Murray will pretty much split carries, with Mathews' being the starter and maybe getting a few more. 

Sproles will get less carries than both of those guys. That's not a slight to him, though. He'll still be very active in the pass game and will play a role as a returner. They'll have to make sure he gets his touches. 

To me, keeping Kenjon Barner active doesn't make much sense. He was on the field in some key spots against Buffalo, but he didn't get a carry. Keeping four backs active on game day seems like a waste. 

https://twitter.com/WizWitSportsFan/status/677141790395338752

While Matthews isn't always outside, the Eagles have been using him there some. They realize he's their best receiver, so when there are just two on the field, they will put him outside. 

This team really sees him as a slot guy, though. They think he has the skill set to become a top slot receiver in the league. The problem is that their outside guys have been awful. 

This has already happened in a lot of respects. The best example of a guy who deserved more reps was Ed Reynolds. He had apparently been practicing well and is now the extra safety in the nickel package over Chris Maragos.  

Reynolds was a guy who started the year on the practice squad and couldn't get on the field a few weeks ago. Now, he's playing a huge role on defense as the team makes its playoff push. 

For a while I thought Seyi Ajirotutu and Jonathan Krause would get some more run at the receiver spot because of how bad Riley Cooper and Josh Huff have been at times, but that doesn't appear to be happening. Maybe it should happen. 

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