Changing their identity might give the Philadelphia Eagles their best chance to make a playoff run.Though the Eagles (5-4) have been a pass-first offense under coach Doug Pederson http://www.patriotslockerroom.com/authentic-jordan-richards-jersey , they are more successful when they commit to running the ball. Since 2016, they're 21-2 when they have at least 120 yards rushing and 9-11 when they have 275 or more yards passing.Relying on a strong ground attack when they return from a bye could help them overtake Dallas (5-3) in the NFC East, especially with DeSean Jackson out for the season."I think every team in the NFL would say they're a better team when they're able to establish the ground game," quarterback Carson Wentz said. "I think that's the recipe to open up the passing game and the play-action, the boot legs, and all of that."Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders are a terrific tandem in the backfield. Howard has 525 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Sanders has 336 yards rushing and one score. Both are averaging 4.4 yards per carry and each has a TD receiving. Sanders has been Philadelphia's best big-play receiver since Jackson injured his abdomen in Week 2. He has 22 catches for 305 yards and his average of 13.9 yards per reception is second behind Jackson's 17.7."Jordan has about as good of a feel for zone-blocking and zone plays as you can get when it's the mid-zone," center Jason Kelce said. "He has the patience and the vision and the hard work. He's a very even-keeled, go-about-his-business, lunch-pail type of guy. I have a lot of respect for how he goes about his business and plays this game."Howard is a tough, physical runner who always seems to go forward and gets positive yards. Sanders is flashy, explosive and can go the distance any time he touches the ball. He had a 65-yard TD run against Buffalo."I can't say enough good things about him and really all the running backs," Wentz said. "But just the way he's come in as a rookie and willing to learn. We've asked a lot of him from obviously running the ball, catching the ball out of the backfield, picking up protections. We put a lot on his plate and he's really handled everything well and been able to make a lot of splash plays, a lot of big plays for this offense."Sanders, Howard and the offensive linemen would be happy to see Pederson turn the Eagles into a ground-and-pound offense."We want to control the line of scrimmage Stephon Gilmore Jersey ," Sanders said. "We want to come in every game and take control of the line of scrimmage. As long as the run game is going and is effective, then it opens up a lot more because we have weapons outside, too."The problem for the offense so far has been the wide receivers. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are excellent tight ends, but the wideouts aren't getting open or making plays. Jackson played one full game and now is recovering from surgery to repair a core muscle injury. Alshon Jeffery has struggled with drops. Nelson Agholor has also had issues catching the ball and getting open. Mack Hollins and rookie second-round pick J.J. Arcega-Whiteside have one catch combined over the past six games.Agholor and Arcega-Whiteside dropped what would've been go-ahead touchdown catches in the final two minutes in consecutive close losses in September."We just have to continue to work with these guys," Pederson said, referring to Jeffery and Agholor. "Every week is a new week. Every week is a new set of challenges. As we put game plans together, we do think about these guys and putting them into positions and look, sometimes you get in the game, and I'm the one calling the plays and sometimes the game kind of steers a different direction than what you think during the week. But I think overall, these guys have been in a position to help and help us win, and have a lot of confidence in both those guys moving forward."On defense, the Eagles are getting healthy and improving. They're 2-1 this season and 15-5 overall with cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills starting together."We are getting there. We are definitely warming up," Mills said. "Coming off of this bye, everyone is going to rest their mind and rest their body and we are going to come back and play the Patriots at top level."Tough homes games are coming up against New England (8-1) and Seattle (7-2). Keeping the ball away from Tom Brady and Russell Wilson would certainly seem like a formula to win. Howard and Sanders could do that if Pederson sticks to the run. CINCINNATI (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick made a good initial impression with Tampa Bay.The rest was so-so.Fitzpatrick completed his first series with a 6-yard touchdown run before the Cincinnati Bengals pulled away to a 23-12 victory over the Buccaneers on Friday night.The 34-year-old quarterback signed a one-year deal for a chance to back up Jameis Winston . Fitzpatrick had mixed results after his TD, going 6 of 13 overall with an interception. He also scrambled twice for 15 yards. Fitzpatrick lost the ball while trying to throw, but recovered his fumble.More Tampa Bay Buccaneers newsBuccaneers make big step forward avoiding 0-2 startBucs’ running game shows signs of life with 2nd-year RB Ronald Jones II leading wayJameis Winston throws 3 INTs Womens Montee Ball Jersey , Buccaneers drop season-opener to 49ersBuccaneers edge Browns 13-12 behind K Matt Gay’s game-winnerBruce Arians gets 1st win with Bucs against surprise starter Josh Rosen, Dolphins“It’s nice to get into a game situation just figuring out how they set the tempo and pace,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s something I’ve had to work on.”Ryan Griffin — Tampa Bay’s third-string quarterback the past two seasons — left in the fourth quarter after someone landed on his passing shoulder. There was no estimate how long he’ll be sidelined.“It’s all a process now,” said Griffin, who was 4 of 9 for 57 yards. “I haven’t been hurt before, so we’ll see how it goes.”Tampa Bay opened the game with a 14-play, 92-yard drive, but had to settle for a field goal after Adam “Pacman” Jones broke up a pair of Winston’s passes in the end zone. Jones is suspended by the NFL for the season opener because of his offseason arrest.Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was on the sideline after missing a practice last week because of a knee problem.Andy Dalton had his full complement of receivers — A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert have returned from significant injuries last season — and moved the offense smoothly on Cincinnati’s opening drive before making a bad decision. Vernon Hargreaves III anticipated Dalton’s sideline throw and picked off a pass at the 1-yard line .Dalton had plenty of time to throw behind Cincinnati’s reconfigured line.“I just wish I could have that last play back,” said Dalton, who was 4 of 5 for 38 yards on his only drive.Green, who missed the last half of last season with a hamstring injury, had a pair of catches for 21 yards.Both teams have kicker competitions that were in the spotlight in their preseason opener.Roberto Aguayo made a 20-yard field goal on Tampa Bay’s opening possession, but he was wide right on a 47-yard try and hit the right upright on the extra-point attempt. Nick Folk was good from 45 yards on his only chance.The Bengals’ kickers were perfect. Randy Bullock made field goals of 54 and 49 yards and his extra-point try. Jake Elliott, who was drafted in the fifth round, connected from 45 yards and also made an extra point.“We both had a good night tonight,” Elliott said. “We put all of them through http://www.patriotslockerroom.com/authentic-troy-niklas-jersey , which is what you want.”INJURIESBuccaneers: CB Brent Grimes (leg) and C Ali Marpet (ankle) sat out. RB Russell Hansbrough left in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.Bengals: RB Giovani Bernard was held out along with first-round pick WR John Ross, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Bernard has fully practiced in camp while recovering from ACL surgery midway through last season.ROOKIE WATCHBuccaneers: TE O.J. Howard, the 19th overall pick, didn’t have a catch, with only one pass thrown his way. WR Chris Godwin had one catch for 14 yards.Bengals: RB Joe Mixon had several nice runs, avoiding tacklers to get extra yards. He carried six times for 31 yards and turned his only reception into an 11-yard gain by slipping through a pair of attempted tackles. He’s competing with Jeremy Hill for playing time.“Once I got that first carry and got the first-game jitters out of the way, I adjusted,” Mixon said. “It was just playing football.”SORTING OUT THE RBsTampa Bay will miss Doug Martin for the first three games as he serves a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. Martin carried four times for 11 yards. Jacquizz Rodgers, who is expected to be the featured back while he’s gone, also carried four times for 11 yards.QUOTABLEAfter his touchdown, Fitzpatrick simply flipped the ball to an official instead of celebrating. Nobody touched him after he took off for the end zone.“I went left and there was nothing in front of me,” he said. “I was so surprised. I had no celebration planned. I didn’t know what to do.”UP NEXTBuccaneers: Play at Jacksonville on Thursday.Bengals: Host Kansas City next Saturday.107<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader photo galleryReinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports | Reinhold Matay