The Blunder That Perfectly Represents the Philadelphia Eagles Defense

It’s not particularly difficult to find problems with the Philadelphia Eagles. The offense looked dreadful in Week 18 against the New York Giants, but one play on defense provided the perfect microcosm of a 1-5 stretch to finish the 2023 regular season. Zach Cunningham and James Bradberry aren’t the root of the problem, but their failed tackle against Wan'Dale Robinson was painful to watch.

It was a simple hitch route to a slot receiver with under 1000 receiving yards in his career. Robinson caught a pass from Tyrod Taylor about three yards off the line of scrimmage. Kevin Byard ultimately forced Robinson out of bounds after a 19-yard gain. Saquon Barkley scored a 3-yard touchdown on the next play.

The ineptitude of a collision between Cunningham and Bradberry summarized the embarrassment of a team that didn’t even put a fight with the NFC East on the line against a 5-11 team. The Eagles looked forward to the the return of Cunningham, their best linebacker in 2023. His health certainly didn’t help the defense in Week 18.

Bradberry had a career-best season in 2022, but Howie Roseman should now regret the decision to re-sign the 30-year-old cornerback.

Wan'Dale Robinson also embarrassed Matt Patricia and the Eagles defense in the first quarter on a short slant route that went for 33 yards. Kevin Byard blitzed on the play, but his timing did nothing to disrupt Taylor. Robinson cruised through the middle of the field and juked Reed Blankenship with ease. He juked Bradberry but ultimately tripped on a play that could’ve gone for a longer gain.

The Eagles turned over primary control of the defense to Patricia in Week 15. Improvement should’ve been a given after they struggled against top NFL competition like the Cowboys, Chiefs, Bills, and 49ers. Instead, they’ve shown complete incompetence. The Giants and the Arizona Cardinals, two teams in the bottom tier of the NFL, have torched them in consecutive weeks.

Nick Sirianni and Matt Patricia will search for answers ahead of a matchup in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

The Philadelphia Eagles enter the NFC Wild Card Round with several starters in question. Jalen Hurts, Cam Jurgens, and A.J. Brown all suffered injuries in Week 18. DeVonta Smith sat out the brutal loss against the New York Giants in Week 18. Nick Sirianni is desperate for a playoff victory. He hopes to have a healthy lineup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Eagles are reeling badly. They lost five of their final six games to finish the 2023 regular season. The fan base has no optimism heading into the playoffs just one month after the team sat at 10-1 in sole possession of the best record in the NFL.

Nobody can confidently say the Eagles have any momentum heading into the playoffs. They lost consecutive games to finish the regular season against opponents in the bottom tier of the NFL with nothing to play for. The Eagles struggled with the same weaknesses throughout the 2023 season, and their recent opponents have exposed their flaws brutally.

Darius Slay will likely return after missing the final four games of the regular season after arthroscopic knee surgery. Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks will still rotate into the defensive backfield after filling in for Slay the past four games. Sydney Brown is unavailable after a serious injury in Week 18.

DeVonta Smith is nursing an ankle injury suffered in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals in Week 17. D'Andre Swift also sat out the loss against the Giants. Both should also return against the Buccaneers.

Cam Jurgens suffered an eye injury against the Giants. His status is still in question. All eyes will turn to A.J. Brown. Assuming Jalen Hurts plays through a dislocated finger, Brown's status will be the most impactful is the most significant of any injury news. 

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, #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)

Wide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020

Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018

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, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012

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

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

Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)

Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)

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, #29
University of Pittsburgh
Drafted in 4th Round (125th overall) in 2018

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)