How Fletcher Cox Helped The Eagles Even From The Sidelines

Fletcher Cox watched from the sideline as Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter carried the load on the defensive front in his place. The Philadelphia Eagles escaped with a 37-34 victory in Week 12.

The young Georgia Bulldogs have become the center of a stout Philadelphia defensive front that’s especially difficult against the run. They held strong against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in overtime to give Jalen Hurts and the offense the chance to win.

Cox might've missed most of the game with a groin injury. Don't forget to give him the assist on their success though.

NFL analysts speak constantly about the leadership the Eagles have in their locker room. Cox, Brandon Graham, Lane Johnson, and Jason Kelce have withstood the test of time through different eras with the franchise.

Howie Roseman used first-round picks on defensive tackles in consecutive drafts in 2022 and 2023. It then became obvious that Cox would eventually pass the torch. However, there were serious character concerns about Carter. Would the leadership in the locker room be enough to offset the issues?

Tim McManus spoke in September on 97.5 The Fanatic about an element of Carter’s progress that won’t get the most publicity.

John Kincade also spoke after the 2022 NFL Draft about how Georgia football sources were confident that a positive NFL environment would benefit Davis with dietary and conditioning advantages.

Milton Williams missed the game against Buffalo with a concussion. Cox left the game in the second quarter. Marlon Tuipulotu filled in with a solid reserve effort. However, the usual strength of the defensive tackle rotation turned into reliance on Carter and Davis.

Jalen Carter showed why he is the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year. His blocked field goal in the second quarter kept the game within reach when the Eagles were struggling offensively. He even lined up on the edge as a defensive end in some packages to help with the thinning defensive line depth.

Jordan Davis fought the fatigue in overtime to make two critical stops in the running game. He even chased down Josh Allen and kept the elusive quarterback to a three-yard gain that helped hold Buffalo to a field goal. 

The former college teammates led an absolute feast on James Cook inside the Buffalo 5-yard line during the second quarter.

Are Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis in good enough shape to last through overtime on a depleted defensive line without the veteran leader Fletcher Cox checking up on them? We’ll never know, but it’s safe to say 300+-pound men benefit from paying attention to their diets. 

Cox isn’t the beloved man of the people like Kelce. He doesn’t have the most eccentric personality like Graham, and he hasn’t gotten the same praise for playing through injuries as Johnson has.

However, he was the best player at his position on the Super Bowl LII champions, and he’s one of the best defensive linemen in Eagles history.

His protegees Carter and Davis wouldn’t be as successful at the NFL level without the proper leadership. 

His willingness to take the young guys under his wing should cement his legacy as an all-time beloved Eagle, and fans should hope he jumps right back into the rotation next week against the San Francisco 49ers.

Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.

The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off an incredible overtime win in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season. They own the best record in the NFL at 10-1 after the thriller against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

They have suffered a few recent injuries to key players, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. Will Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams, and Zach Cunningham return for the Eagles as Week 13 starters?

The Bills took a 10-point lead into halftime, and the Eagles were fortunate that the deficit wasn't worse. It looked eerily similar to the Super Bowl LVII rematch on Monday Night Football six days before. However, the result was the same. The Eagles pulled off yet another double-digit comeback.

Jalen Hurts played poorly in the first half. He shook off the struggles and led four touchdown drives after halftime, the last coming in overtime. The Philadelphia defense held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs scoreless on six second half possessions.

Nick Sirianni has improved to 33-12 as a head coach in NFL regular-season games. The Eagles are 24-2 in games started by Jalen Hurts since the beginning of the 2022 season.

The San Francisco 49ers loom for an NFC Championship Game rematch at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 13.

The Eagles have leaned on strength in the trenches in the most recent era of franchise history. Two of their foundational pieces didn't finish the game against the Bills. Lane Johnson missed the game with groin soreness, and Fletcher Cox also left the game with a groin injury.

Dallas Goedert and Nakobe Dean will likely remain out with injuries in Week 13. Jack Stoll started at tight end in Weeks 11 and 12, and he'll likely fill in against the 49ers once again. Cunningham has been the best linebacker on the team in 2023. He left the game with a hamstring injury and didn't return.

Nicholas Morrow has played an elevated role, and Christian Elliss also stepped into the regular rotation as a linebacker. The Eagles will get an update on Milton Williams, who missed the game against Buffalo with a concussion.

With arguably the toughest opponent on the schedule ahead, Nick Sirianni needs good news about some of his best players heading into Week 13. 

Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020

Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)

Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)

Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021

Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)

Tight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)

Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018

Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021

Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011

Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022

Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013

Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018

Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022

Defensive Tackle, #98
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (9th overall) in 2023

Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)

Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)

Linebacker, #53
University of Idaho
3rd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)

Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)

Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)

Cornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)

Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)

Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)

Watch The John Kincade Show live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.