How the Eagles’ defense is winning them games
Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship reacts after stopping the Detroit Lions on fourth down during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Eagles’ offense has struggled time and again, and it seems as if there’s no end in sight; yet, despite this, the Birds are winning games.
This Philly defense has been stellar over the past few weeks. Even with the questions and confusion surrounding the sudden departure of Jaire Alexander and the loss of Za’Darius Smith earlier this season, Vic Fangio’s squad has prevailed.
We’ve seen struggles offensively by the Eagles, which has now become a nationally known issue thanks to A.J. Brown‘s antics. The team has barely been able to get down the field for a field-flipping drive, let alone getting points on the board. It’s a struggle that we didn’t expect, and even Saquon Barkley hasn’t been the same as before. Questions arise about how they will handle the offense, but the dominant defense by Fangio’s group has completely changed the narrative about this team.
The Eagles have allowed under 10 points in both of the first two games since the bye week, allowing just 7 to Green Bay 2 weeks ago and 9 to Detroit this past week. Credit could go to anyone on the defensive squad, but it’s been the addition of Jaelan Phillips that’s been a difference maker.
In Phillips’ first two performances with Philadelphia, he has put up 11 total tackles, with both games having more tackles by him than any game with Miami this season. Phillips recovered a fumble in the game against Green Bay and achieved his first sack with the team against Detroit. He has completely clogged up the pocket and has opened up opportunities for his teammates to make big plays. Last game, we saw Phillips’ pressure allow for the other defensive linemen to bat down pass attempts by Jared Goff, including one deflection that led to a Cooper DeJean interception.
Along with Phillips, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis‘ efforts have been standout worthy. Against Detroit, Carter and Phillips combined for 5 pass deflections, all at the line of scrimmage. While they haven’t been able to hit the QB as efficiently as in the past, their presence back there has been disruptive. The two huge defensive tackles clog up space even when they don’t add to the stat sheet, and their ability to do so has been a great part of Philly’s victories thus far.
Jalyx Hunt and Nakobe Dean have been getting to the backfield with ease, finishing up Detroit’s game with 5 combined QB hits. They’ve assisted in keeping the offense on their own end of the field, disrupting and wreaking havoc on drive after drive.
Additionally, the secondary has held its own. Quinyon Mitchell has continued to be elite, refusing his defenders from catching the ball, and Adoree’ Jackson‘s key pass breakup on third down late in the game against Detroit proved to be crucial in the win.
With the offense playing lackluster out of the break, Fangio’s adjustments over the bye week have been crucial to Philadelphia’s past two wins. Philadelphia had scored at least 20 points in each of their wins prior to the bye week and allowed at least 20 points in all but 1 game, where they allowed 17. But somehow, someway, Philadelphia has survived back-to-back offensive letdowns with unstoppable defense led by Fangio.
Evan Hartenstein
Evan has been a member of the Philly Sports Reports team since March 2023. He is covering the 76ers and wants to pursue a long-lasting career in Sports Journalism.
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