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Somehow, someway, the Philadelphia Eagles have won the NFC East and made the playoffs.
They don't have DeSean Jackson. They don't have Alshon Jeffery. They don't have Nelson Agholor. Zach Ertz still hasn't been cleared for contact. Jordan Howard hasn't played more than one snap since Nov. 3.
Yet, the Eagles are hosting a home playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
I guess we can thank the Dallas Cowboys' ineptitude for that, but Philadelphia is here, and it is entering the postseason on a four-game winning streak.
But with so many pieces missing, does Philly have a shot at beating the Seahawks?
If the Eagles are going to beat the Seahawks, they must get a big performance from rookie running back Miles Sanders.
Sanders has been instrumental in Philadelphia's recent success. Throughout the season, he rushed for 818 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Also, he caught 50 passes for 509 yards and three scores.
Much of that production came after Howard's shoulder injury back in early November, as Sanders took over as the featured back and has also had to be one of Carson Wentz's top options in the passing game with so many receivers hurt.
Miles Sanders is one of Philly's only reliable players on the offensive side of the ball, and if he doesn't come through with a big game on Sunday, the Eagles probably won't stand much of a chance.
Up until this past weekend, when Sanders carried the ball nine times for 52 yards against the New York Giants, he had tallied double-figure rushing attempts in seven straight contests, and dating back to Week 5; he has logged at least three catches in 11 of his last 12 games.
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He has been a crucial part of Philadelphia's offense, and it's hard even to imagine where the Eagles would be without him right now (not preparing to play a playoff game, that's for sure).
On top of the fact that Sanders has been impressive is that the Seahawks are not all that good against the run. Seattle allowed 117.7 rushing yards per game during the regular season, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. It also gave up a hefty 4.9 yards per carry, which ranked 28th.
Compounding the Seahawks' struggles against the run is that linebacker Mychal Kendricks just tore his ACL and that defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney is battling a core muscle injury.
There is an opportunity for Sanders to have a good day against a laboring, injury-riddled Seattle defense, and the young halfback must capitalize.
Now, that burden is not just on Sanders' shoulders. Doug Pederson and the coaching staff need to get him established early, and what has been a banged-up Eagles offensive line has to open up holes.
But if those circumstances are in Sanders' favor, he needs to take advantage. Yes, he is only a rookie, but he is vital to Philadelphia's chances this Sunday.
The Eagles are incredibly short on offensive firepower so that Miles Sanders might be their only hope.
