Jonathan Gannon Exploited Blueprint on Beating Eagles Defense
Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals exploited the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles for 35 points in a stunner at Lincoln Financial Field on New Year’s Eve. A team that entered with a 3-12 record overmatched Matt Patricia’s unit in the embarrassing loss. How did the former Eagles defensive coordinator draw up such an effective game plan?
Gannon Knew the Blueprint
Nick Sirianni spoke about Gannon’s knowledge of the Philadelphia defensive scheme in response to a question from Ed Kracz.
“I think he probably thought about the Washington game last year where Washington was able to control the clock and keep our offense off the field. He probably thought about that. You’ll have to ask him. I don’t know. But good game plan by them, and they obviously executed, and hats off to them.” -Nick Sirianni
Sirianni was referring to a 32-21 loss against the Washington Commanders in Week 9 of the 2022 season. An underwhelming Washington offense ran for 152 yards and won the time of possession share 40:34-19:36.
The third-year head coach intended to take accountability for the failure of his defense in both games. However, he didn’t consider that the Eagles were significantly worse against the Cardinals.
The Magnitude of Eagles’ Failure on Defense
The loss against Washington in 2022 frustrated a Philadelphia crowd watching a Super Bowl-caliber team lay an egg at home. The Commanders inched their way down the field on offense against Gannon’s unit in the same manner the Cardinals did on Sunday.
The 152-yard performance did the job, but the Commanders only averaged 3.1 yards per carry (YPC) in the game. According to Pro Football Reference, the Eagles defense finished with -4.13 expected points added (EPA).
The Cardinals similarly controlled the time of possession with a 39:39-20:21 advantage. Their ground game significantly outperformed the bar set by Washington, however. They ran 40 times for 221 yards (5.53 YPC). The constant gashes by James Connor and Michael Carter led to a -21.16 EPA performance.
Ben Solak pointed out that the defense performed even worse measured by Success Rate. The stat rewards plays that gain 40% or more of the yards-to-go on first down, 60% or more on second down, and 100% or more on third and fourth down.
They allowed a 59.2% Success Rate against the Cardinals. It was the worst defensive performance in the NFL this season and Philadelphia’s worst defensive performance since Week 12 of the 2006 season.
The 2006 Eagles had their hands full stopping the eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts led by Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, and Reggie Wayne. The Arizona offense executed their game plan well against the Eagles. Nobody will make the case that their offense should sniff the same level as the 2006 Colts.
Jonathan Gannon learned first-hand that there’s a blueprint to beat the Eagles when the Commanders torched the defense at the Linc last season. He banked the knowledge and capitalized knowing the 2023 Eagles have fewer playmakers in the middle of the field.
A defensive line loaded with talent did nothing to stop the Arizona attack. Reed Blankenship, Kevin Byard, Nicholas Morrow, and Shaq Leonard looked overmatched at the second level. The Eagles don’t have a playoff-caliber defense, regardless of whether Sean Desai or Matt Patricia makes the decisions.
Nick Sirianni on his message to the team: “Stick together. Stick together. Everyone’s got to stick together. I think there’s going to be a lot of people trying to point the finger at different things and everybody’s got to stick together, right. We win as a team. We lose as a… pic.twitter.com/zXkZ5zcu5t
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) December 31, 2023
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Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 17 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Julio Jones
Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Dallas Goedert
Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nicolas Morrow
Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Shaquille Leonard
Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)Kelee Ringo
Cornerback, #22
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season, Drafted in 4th Round (105th Overall) in 2023James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Avonte Maddox
Cornerback, #29
University of Pittsburgh
Drafted in 4th Round (125th overall) in 2018Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
