Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox (91) says it is what the Eagles do Sunday against Seattle that will determine the outcome. Photo by Todd Bauders/ contrastphotography.com

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is a standout running back who has been consistently solid statistically since he was drafted by Buffalo in the first round in 2007.

What makes him a superstar is his backbreaking ability to get a few extra yards on almost every play. He may be one of the toughest runners to bring down in the history of the league.

It is a trait that can be appreciated only if you see him play in person or if you played against him.

The Eagles (9-3) get a first-hand look at Seattle (8-4) and the now 28-year old Lynch on Sunday (4:25 P.M. FOX).

Eagle defensive coordinator Bill Davis was asked this week if anybody runs the ball harder than Lynch and what challenges he presents.

“Nobody runs the ball harder,” Davis said. “He comes downhill every play. He runs angry. He’s a talented back, and he looks for contact. He’s going to get his yardage. He gets the hard yards, and he gets exactly what’s there every down.”

The Eagles defense – particularly the front seven – will have their hands full with with Lynch and admit as much themselves.

It is not the numbers that break’s a team’s back – Lynch has rushed 212 times for 956 yards and nine touchdowns plus 28 receptions for 297 yards and three touchdowns – it is his drive to never give up on a play.

Lynch is a coach’s dream with just one fumble in 12 games.

Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox says the Birds will have success Sunday as long as they stay true to their own schemes.

“We’re not going to change our technique’s for nobody,” Cox said. “What you see is what you get. What you see on tape is what you are going to get with us, especially up front. Eleven guys running to the football. “

Cox admitted he was looking forward to facing Lynch but admits it will take all eleven defenders to keep Lynch is check.

“This is the type of competitor you want to go against, it’s going to be fun,” Cox said. “But at the end of the day, it comes down to us. It comes down to who wants it the most. It comes down to who is going to be the most physical team that day.
“As long as we execute, and everybody’s having fun and tackling and running to the football. Eleven people can bring down one player.”

Defensive tackle Beau Allen said he admires what he has seen with Lynch and says he too believes everyone must come prepared to take on defending Super Bowl Champions and Lynch.

“He really tries to get every yard,” Allen said. “The way he runs is really admirable. He runs really hard. You don’t see a lot of back that try to gain every inch they can.”

The Eagles defensive line does not lack size. Will size help this week?

“I’m not so sure,” Allen said. “I think it more about having the demeanor where we’re not going to let him get those extra yards and just have everyone run to the ball and have good pursuit. I think it’s more of a defensive mentality that we’re going to gang tackle him, it won’t be just one man, we’re going to be on top of him with everybody.”

Linebacker Casey Matthews also talked about Lynch’s bruising style.

“It’s tough to defend that type of running style,” Matthews said. “Obviously we need a lot of guys after the football wrapping him up. He’s shown he can break out of tackles and fight for those two, three or four extra yards.
“I think because he’s got a strong lower body and a strong center of gravity, it’s going to take everyone going to the ball and wrapping him up,” Matthews continued. “When you see teams that have had success in shutting him down you have a lot of guys around the ball.”

Matthews was asked what are some tackling techniques may work against a back that does shy away from contact.

“People can’t run without their legs,” Matthews said. “You think about going low and wrapping his legs up but you’ve got to make sure you wrap them both of them up, if you get one he’s going to keep pulling and drag out of it. It’s tough. The last thing you want to do is go high because obviously he’s strong and he’ll run over you.
“There’s not too many backs like him It’s almost like he’s old school. His running style…especially if you look at today’s game, today’s backs are so shifty. He loves being physical, that’s his style of play. He’s had success with it and he’s not going to change.”