With the Eagles’ recent rout of the Raiders, are you convinced the Eagles are back on track to defend their Super Bowl title?

Well, if they do, they won’t be facing the Chiefs. The Andy Reid-guided dynasty has been put on hold.

In this version of the Inside the Huddle column, I will take a look at the current state of the Eagles on both sides of the ball and go back to a somewhat parallel 1991 season, some 1,000-yard rushers, a possible future for Tanner McKee, and review the career of a former Panther Valley star.

Are They Back? ... Since last Sunday, the never-ending question has been whether the Eagles have put their offensive woes behind them in their 31-0 victory over the hapless Raiders.

As you likely saw, they didn’t need much. And that’s the hangup of most fans.

Jalen Hurts didn’t have the glowing numbers, but he looked calm and confident with his 12-for-15, 175-yard, three-touchdown performance. Any doubts about Hurts were squashed in the first quarter. He was efficient and patient, and was able to work tight end Dallas Goedert back into the mix. Hurts is ranked ninth among his peers with a 99.4 quarterback rating.

Saquon Barkley ran hard for his 78 yards on 22 carries. It was the fourth time in his last six games that Barkley has topped 20 carries in a game, which is significant.

Barkley appears to be back on track for a heavy load in the final three games and the postseason. He is dealing with a stinger in his neck and shoulder area, but had a full practice Wednesday. Against Washington Saturday, Barkley should break the 1,000-yard mark.

The real key will be the offensive line. Lane Johnson, dealing with Lisfranc sprain in his left foot, is hoping to return Saturday against the Commanders after being sidelined the last five games. Landon Dickerson and Fred Johnson did not practice Wednesday, but they should be back Saturday.

Like last season, the cohesiveness of the offensive line will be the key to how high the Birds can fly.

Mirror Image ... For the Eagles’ offense to succeed, the defense will have to continue to play their part.

In 1991, the Eagles lost Randall Cunnigham for the season in their opening game against the Packers, and his spot was divided among Jim McMahon, Jeff Kemp, Brad Goebel and Pat Ryan. The offense struggled behind Keith Byars and James Joseph, but they held their own.

It was the Birds’ defense under defensive coordinator Bud Carson — and built by former head coach Buddy Ryan — that kept them in the race.

Reggie White was the band leader among one of the best units in franchise history. Jerome Brown, Mike Golic, Clyde Simmons and Mike Pitts fortified the front.

Seth Joyner was another team leader and Byron Evans, Jesse Small and William Thomas were often underrated.

The secondary of Eric Allen, Wes Hopkins, Andre Waters and Ben Smith were elite. They had a combined 13 interceptions among them.

Philly finished 10-6 under Rick Kotite — yes Rich Kotite — and who knows how far they could have gone with a healthy Cunningham. The defense recorded 55 sacks, 26 interceptions, and allowed 15.3 points per game.

Unfortunately, that group only got as far as the divisional playoff round.

Fast Forward ... This current defense arguably has more depth up front than the 1991 club and their linebackers — Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo — are playing better. Brandon Graham is also looking like his old playing days.

However, this secondary still needs to grow despite some recent showings, notably from the once disappointing Adoree’ Jackson. Jaelen Phillips will be a big key as well as the return of Jalen Carter, who could be back this week.

This unit could produce the similar results as the 1991 team. Heading into Saturday, they have allowed 19.4 points per game, have 35 sacks, and 10 interceptions.

Before the postseason, the defense will be tested by Josh Allen and the Bills in two weeks.

You Said It ... In a recent Times News Lehighton Facebook poll, the question was posed whether the Eagles can get back to the Super Bowl.

In a surprising move, 71 percent of the responders believed the Eagles won’t get back to the Super Bowl this year. On the other side, 26 percent still have faith, and three percent didn’t know.

What do you think? Let me know.

Beginning this week, the Eagles were at 12-1 to win the Super Bowl.

Readers Write

Eagles’ Fans, Don’t Get Too Excited

Dear Jeff,

I am not an Eagles’ fan, but their offense is terrible. A win against the Raiders means nothing. The Raiders are one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Their defense may hold teams, but if their offense doesn’t show up, they will get beat in their first playoff game.

Where is Barkley this year? The only thing the offense does well is the “tush push.”

Melissa Hager

Lehighton

Next Man Up ... Should we be concerned with Barkley’s yardage decline?

Maybe you should, or maybe you shouldn’t.

Injuries aside, there is a tendency for a running back to have lower production the following year after a banner season. Sometimes there isn’t, and there can be plenty of factors that can affect a running back’s yardage.

Looking back at some Eagles’ seasons, LeSean McCoy ran for 1,607 in 2014, and then dropped to 1,319 the following season. However, McCoy ran for 1,080 yards in 2010, then increased his total to 1,309 in 2011. Over his final six years with the Bills, Chiefs and Bucs, McCoy passed the 1,000-yard barrier twice in a season.

Wilbert Montgomery hit 1,220 yards in 1978, and then had his career year of 1,512 the following season. In 1980, Montgomery missed four games and ran for 778 yards. The following season, Montgomery ran for 1,402 yards, but then had just 515 yards in eight games in 1982.

Ricky Watters had 1,273 yards in 1995, and then raised his total to 1,411 in 1996. However, Watters slipped to 1,110 yards in 1997. Duce Staley had 1,065 yards in 1998, and went to 1,273 in 1999. Staley only played in five games in 2000 with 344 yards, and surpassed the 1,000-yard only once more in 2002 with 1,029 yards.

Legendary Steve Van Buren accumulated 1,008 yards in 1947, and then dropped to 945 in 1948. He had 1,146 yards in 1949, and 629 yards in 1950.

On the national front, Barry Sanders ran for 2,053 yards in 1997, but slipped to 1,491 the next season with eight more carries.

O.J. Simpson became the first back to surpass the 2,000-yard threshold in a season when he had 2,003 yards in 1973. But Simpson ran for just 1,125 in 1974. Simpson hit 1,817 yards in 1976, but dipped to 1,503 in 1977.

Teasing with Tanner ... With Patrick Mahomes likely sidelined until late next season, there has been some speculation that Eagles’ backup quarterback Tanner McKee might be available to call the shots in Kansas City.

Last season, McKee was impressive in the final two regular season games in relief of the injured Hurts and Kenny Pickett, completing 30-of-45 passes for 347 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

At that time, there was plenty of fervor on whether or not McKee should have a shot at Hurts’ role, or the possibility of a trade.

McKee, who has one year left on his contract, is believed to be able to fetch a second- or third-round pick.

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will peel back the pages to review the career of a former local standout.

Richard Smith Jr. was a 2013 Panther Valley graduate who was a four-year letterwinner, and three-year captain of the Panthers’ squad.

As a running back, Smith gained 1,112 yards with 15 touchdowns in his senior year. On defense as a linebacker, Smith recorded 112 tackles with two sacks and a pick-six interception.

Smith was a First-team, All-Area and All-Conference choice as a linebacker and running back. In addition, Smith was named to the All-State Honorable Mention team, the All-County First Team, and the Schuylkill County All-Star team.

He also was a Times News First-Team running back and linebacker, and also received a Player of the Week honor for his 225-yard, three-touchdown game. In one game, Smith rushed for 246 yards and scored seven touchdowns, the latter still being a school record.

Smith continued his education and career at West Point, where he lettered on the football team for one year. He recorded six tackles and one forced fumble.

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