Eagles' Defense Shows Major Resurgence
There have been many reasons while the Eagles have won six in a row, own an 8-2 record and are very much in contention for the top seed in the NFC. The most improved aspect of the team has been the defense under veteran coordinator Vic Fangio.
Last year in his lone season as defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, the players outwardly displayed their displeasure with Fangio’s ways.
Was he working the Dolphins too hard?
Well, no matter what happened, the Eagles have clearly responded well to Fangio.
When the Eagles were 2-2, most were wondering about the defense and questioning why Fangio wasn’t blitzing more.
Yet in the last six games, the defensive line, while not quite at the level of the 2022 Super Bowl team, has begun to turn it on.
Linebacker Zack Baun, one of many top free agent signings by GM Howie Roseman, should get plenty of Pro Bowl consideration. He leads the team with 102 tackles. Fellow linebacker Nakobe Dean, after two injury-plagued seasons, has come into his own. Dean has 76 tackles and saved the 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with an acrobatic end zone interception.Article continues below
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The secondary has been improved with the addition of first round pick Quinyon Mitchell and second rounder Cooper DeJean. Mitchell often has been paired against the opponent’s top receivers, while DeJean has been adept at defending slot receivers.
Despite being 33-years-old, Darius Slay remains an accomplished corner while C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship have been a more than solid safety combo. Blankenship leads the Eagles with three interceptions, while Gardner-Johnson has two.
After a slow start, defensive end Josh Sweat has come on strong and leads the Eagles with six sacks. Second-year tackle Jalen Carter is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He has 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks, which are good totals for a tackle through 10 games. The fact that Carter often attracts double-teams, is probably his best benefit because it has freed other teammates to the ball and to opposing quarterbacks.
The Eagles have even received strong play from greybeard lineman Brandon Graham, who has 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks, adding great depth. Graham, 36, has announced that this will be his last season, but he may want to reconsider. He is no longer an every-down lineman, but has shown when used correctly, he can still be very effective.
Nolan Smith has improved in his second season, while Milton Williams has recorded three sacks.
Expensive free agent defensive lineman Bryce Huff has battled injury and inconsistency. If he comes around, it will be a major boost for the Eagles.
The other thing the Eagles have done well under Fangio is tackle. They were among the worst tackling teams in the NFL last season. During their playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they were at their tackling worst.
This year the defense is not only tackling better, but showing great toughness.
This is a defense, just like in 2022, that is again feared. During the six-game win streak, they have allowed just 13.8 points per game. The defense’s turnaround is a major reason why there is so much optimism surrounding the Eagles and Super Bowl talk is no longer idle chatter.
Photo: Zack Baun / Courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles
Last year in his lone season as defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, the players outwardly displayed their displeasure with Fangio’s ways.
Was he working the Dolphins too hard?
Well, no matter what happened, the Eagles have clearly responded well to Fangio.
When the Eagles were 2-2, most were wondering about the defense and questioning why Fangio wasn’t blitzing more.
Yet in the last six games, the defensive line, while not quite at the level of the 2022 Super Bowl team, has begun to turn it on.
Linebacker Zack Baun, one of many top free agent signings by GM Howie Roseman, should get plenty of Pro Bowl consideration. He leads the team with 102 tackles. Fellow linebacker Nakobe Dean, after two injury-plagued seasons, has come into his own. Dean has 76 tackles and saved the 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with an acrobatic end zone interception.
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The secondary has been improved with the addition of first round pick Quinyon Mitchell and second rounder Cooper DeJean. Mitchell often has been paired against the opponent’s top receivers, while DeJean has been adept at defending slot receivers.
Despite being 33-years-old, Darius Slay remains an accomplished corner while C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship have been a more than solid safety combo. Blankenship leads the Eagles with three interceptions, while Gardner-Johnson has two.
After a slow start, defensive end Josh Sweat has come on strong and leads the Eagles with six sacks. Second-year tackle Jalen Carter is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He has 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks, which are good totals for a tackle through 10 games. The fact that Carter often attracts double-teams, is probably his best benefit because it has freed other teammates to the ball and to opposing quarterbacks.
The Eagles have even received strong play from greybeard lineman Brandon Graham, who has 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks, adding great depth. Graham, 36, has announced that this will be his last season, but he may want to reconsider. He is no longer an every-down lineman, but has shown when used correctly, he can still be very effective.
Nolan Smith has improved in his second season, while Milton Williams has recorded three sacks.
Expensive free agent defensive lineman Bryce Huff has battled injury and inconsistency. If he comes around, it will be a major boost for the Eagles.
The other thing the Eagles have done well under Fangio is tackle. They were among the worst tackling teams in the NFL last season. During their playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they were at their tackling worst.
This year the defense is not only tackling better, but showing great toughness.
This is a defense, just like in 2022, that is again feared. During the six-game win streak, they have allowed just 13.8 points per game. The defense’s turnaround is a major reason why there is so much optimism surrounding the Eagles and Super Bowl talk is no longer idle chatter.
Photo: Zack Baun / Courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles
Author: Marc Narducci
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