The Philadelphia Eagles are 5-2 on the season as the defending champs move closer to the midpoint of the 2025 campaign, and they have an NFC East tilt against the New York Giants in Week 8. The Eagles are out to get revenge against their division rival after suffering a surprising 34-17 loss to the Giants in Week 6 on Thursday Night Football.
The Eagles are looking to improve in several areas, and kicker Jake Elliott is working on adding some things to his arsenal of tricks himself. In an article written by Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Philadelphia's special teams coordinator noted that Elliott has been working on "dirty kicks" on kickoffs.
Eagles' Jake Elliott Working to Perfect New Kickoff Techniques
The utilization of "dirty kicks" on special teams has been on the rise around the league due to the new kickoff return rules. In essence, all a "dirty kick" means is using line-drive squib kicks and knuckleball-type launches to drop the ball in the landing zone (between the opposing team's goal line and 20-yard line).
This method is used to alter the rhythm of blocking schemes and the return itself. When performed correctly, it gives returners less time and space to find an open crease and, in turn, can pin opposing offenses inside their own 20-yard line. Considering a normal touchback puts the ball at the 35-yard line, these kicks can be beneficial if done correctly.
These attempts don't come without some risk, though, as if the kick lands before the landing zone, it'll result in a penalty that puts the ball at the 40-yard line. This isn't lost on special teams coordinator Michael Clay.
"Yeah, we work on it a lot. It's helped out a lot of times,” special teams coordinator Michael Clay said, via Zangaro. “[There is] risk you do take when he doesn't connect it on it correctly and it hits at the 22 instead of that landing zone, we all understand that risk. Obviously, you don't want that because it puts the ball in the 40, but it does help out."
While this is still a work in progress, Elliott has already proven that this style of kick has been added to his repertoire. In the win over the Vikings, he attempted a dirty kick in the first quarter, but the ball bounced and went into the end zone for a touchback.
Despite the attempt not working in their favor in that instance, Eagles fans should expect to continue seeing these attempts moving forward. These same kicks have given the Eagles problems this season, and they want their opponents to face the same issues.
There will be things Elliott must work through, as kicking indoors is different than kicking outdoors in terms of wind playing a factor. Regardless, Elliott is adding these kicks to his list of tricks so that Philadelphia can pull them out when needed during the 2025 season.