A good deal of attention has been paid to Nick Foles’ vertical passing success in Sunday’s 38-7 victory over the Vikings in the NFC championship game.
Foles, who had completed just two of 13 throws of 20 yards or more before Sunday, was an impressive 4-for-5 for 172 yards on deep balls against the Vikings, including a 53-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery and a 41-yard scoring toss to Torrey Smith on a flea-flicker.
But those deep balls were set up by RPOs – run-pass option plays – that the Eagles have been using all season, and have had success with in their first two playoff wins.