Ndamukong Suh ‘excited' for challenge of Eagles' run game

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The Eagles’ running game has been steadily moving up the charts for the last month (see story).

Last after two weeks. Third from the bottom after four weeks. Then 23rd, 19th, 14th and now 11th.

It’s been a steady, gradual climb, and the Eagles could very well go even higher after this weekend.

The matchup between the Eagles’ rejuvenated running game and the Dolphins’ porous run defense is one to watch Sunday.

The Eagles face the Dolphins at 1 p.m. at the Linc Sunday with a chance to move over .500 for the first time this year at 5-4.

The Dolphins, 3-5, are ranked 31st in the NFL in run defense, giving up 142 rushing yards per game.

Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said the Dolphins have the pieces to stop the run, they just haven’t done it.

“Without question, definitely, and we’ve proven that,” he said. “We just have to prove that, we have to execute on a consistent basis, and I’ve said since Day 1, consistency is going to be key for us.”

The Eagles have rushed for 150 or more yards in four straight games for the first time since 1992 and they’ve been over 170 yards the last two weeks.

Since Week 3, Ryan Mathews (6.4) and DeMarco Murray (4.5) rank first and 16th in the NFL in rushing average.

“They have two great running backs, I’ve seen them both, obviously I’ve been able to stop both of them, especially DeMarco Murray in Dallas last year and I’ve seen [Mathews] once before, but he’s a great running back as well.”

Suh faced Murray in 2011 when Suh was with the Lions and Murray was on the Cowboys, and Murray ran four times for just 12 yards.

Mathews was 11 for 58 that same year with the Chargers vs. the Lions.

“At the end of the day, we have to come down, execute and tackle,” Suh said. “[Run defense is] huge, it’s going to be huge every single game, especially going into this week against Philly.”

Since Week 3, the Eagles are averaging 151 rushing yards per game, second highest in the NFL, behind only the Rams, who are at 157.

For the Dolphins, this is just another week for a last-place team with an interim coach.

Last week, they allowed an astonishing 266 rushing yards to the Bills, including a season-high 112 by LeSean McCoy and 110 from Karlos Williams.

That was the ninth-most the Dolphins have ever allowed in their storied history. They’re the only NFL team that’s allowed 200 rushing yards twice this year.

“It’s a new week, it’s over and done with,” Suh said. “Obviously we didn’t play well enough to stop the run, they had a great scheme and they were able to take certain guys out of the play, to get what they wanted and they made plays.

“They have great running backs. Obviously I’ve played against McCoy plenty of times and he’s an explosive player.”

The Eagles have been piling up a lot of yards in recent weeks, surpassing 425 three of the last four games after averaging 294 the first four games of the year.

The first month of the season, they ranked 28th in the league in offense. Since then, they’re No. 8 and not coincidentally, they’ve won three of their last four games.

“They like to come downhill, they keep it between the tackles most of the time, which I’m excited about because it gives me opportunities to get after their offensive line and running backs,” Suh said.

“I think we’ll have an opportunity, them as well, to look at some of the schemes that Buffalo did against us and getting outside and having some outside scheme plays.

“We’re watching film today and yesterday, we’ll definitely have our hands full with two great running backs, and even if you put [Darren] Sproles back there, he’s dynamic player as well.”

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