With The First Pick
Fansided

NFL Playoffs: 5 Most important rookies in the postseason

By Nicholas McGee

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 29: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers silences the crowd after stopping the Seattle Seahawks on fourth down in the fourth quarter to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 26-21 during their game at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 29: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers silences the crowd after stopping the Seattle Seahawks on fourth down in the fourth quarter to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 26-21 during their game at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 17-9. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 17-9. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Miles Sanders – Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ roster has been decimated by injuries this season but running back Sanders said he is “absolutely” playing in their Wild Card clash with the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia, despite hurting his ankle in Week 17.

Boston Scott ensured the Eagles did not slip up at the New York Giants and clinched the NFC East with an instrumental performance. However, Philadelphia would surely prefer not to rely solely on Scott in the backfield against Seattle, particularly given Sanders’ recent impressive displays.

Sanders has emerged as a dynamic dual-threat running back. In the regular season he averaged 4.6 yards per attempt on the ground and 10.2 yards per reception.

He caught at least four passes in each of the four games preceding the finale against the Giants and had success on the ground in the regular season meeting with the Seahawks, rushing 12 times for 63 yards.

The Seahawks defense is vulnerable and the Eagles have a much better chance of exploiting it with both Sanders and Scott in the backfield rotation. For an Eagles offense starved of skill position talent because of injuries, Sanders’ presence is absolutely pivotal.

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