This Eagles Defense Needs You To Chill Out
It was ten minutes into the Eagles game at Cincinnati and after a 17-play drive with numerous third down conversions, the Philadelphia Eagles found themselves down 7-0. Cue Eagles Twitter with the “this defense sucks”… ”this Eagles defense is atrocious” stuff you have come to expect after the collapse of the 2023 season.
In one way, it’s understandable that fans would suffer from some defensive PTSD. In another, it’s absolutely stupid to react this way and hopefully we can see this behavior take a lap. It’s fans and media alike who aren’t seeing what is right in front of their eyes. A little history lesson from a legendary Eagles Defensive Coordinator might be in order.
Jim Johnson loved the rope-a-dope to start a game
Many Eagles fans are not old enough to remember the approach that Jim Johnson took to the opening drive of a game. Unfortunately, there are too many that ARE old enough who should understand that the first defensive drive of the game may play out just like a crafty defensive coordinator wants it to.
Jim Johnson believed in not getting after quarterbacks on the first drive with the blitz. If he ever used it that was a special occasion. In fact, he would purposely play it softer. His philosophy was to see the offensive coordinator empty their bag and make them take as many plays as possible IF they were going to score.
Fast forward to Sunday and that “atrocious” 17-play touchdown drive which had various third-down opportunities to end. Was it a terrible drive? No. You don’t want to see a team score like that but there were plenty of chances to end it and Fangio was able to see the Bengals approach in various situations. From that point on they scored ten points. Advantage Fangio. Disadvantage, the prisoners of the moment.
The Eagles defense is 7th in points allowed per game
The Eagles were 30th in points allowed last season. It was a complete disaster that deserved all the abuse and vitriol that this city could hand out. This team has shown you enough that all of the over-the-top, knee-jerk evaluations just sound so dumb.
I don’t remember anyone thinking that they could be a top-10 defense but yet they are. In fact, they have gotten younger and more dynamic. The Eagles are 8th in rushing yards allowed per game and 10th against the pass. They are 12th in sacks and they have averaged 12 points allowed in their three-game winning streak.
The young “Dawgs” on defense are looking a lot better
It was a month ago that I was told by listeners that Nolan Smith was a bust. Now he has three consecutive games with a sack. Nakobe Dean looked lost when the season began and now he has become impactful at linebacker. Jordan Davis may be a one-trick pony of sorts, but his one trick consistently has had him as a top ten defender against the run. These Georgia players have earned the critique that they received but it is most certainly getting better.
Can we please put the 2023 season behind us?
It would be great if going forward that the “anti-defense” Eagles fans waited till they saw a little more of the game play out before they proclaim the unit as terrible. In fact, by every metric they aren’t.
It’s not last season and with Vic Fangio in charge they are deserving of your trust. The scheme is solid, the young players are coming of age and confidence is high. Will they continue to play at this kind of level? I doubt it. Are they awful and atrocious? Only if you aren’t watching with context.