We all knew the offense was going to be problematic.
Sean Mannion’s new scheme would take time to get on its feet. Jalen Hurts would need to acclimate himself to it, the offensive line’s health was a question mark, and there didn’t appear to be many great answers at wide receiver. The prevailing wisdom was, if the Eagles were going to survive some early season growing pains from the offense, the defense would have to do a little more.
But after so much offensive futility over the first six weeks, Hurts’ season ending blood clots, being forced to spend more time on the field than almost any other defense in the NFL and lugging around a 2-4 record, it appeared as if the effort dam broke for Vic Fangio’s unit in the Eagles’ embarrassing 38-21 loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
Ironically, the offense actually showed a pulse for the first time all season. Tanner McKee is a backup quarterback for a reason, but he played pretty well through three quarters. After a really nice touchdown drive coming out of halftime gave the Eagles a 21-20 lead, the defense offered about as much resistance as single-ply Dollar Store toilet paper.
It’s fair to say the defense has been far more disappointing than the offense through seven ugly weeks of football. Worse yet, it sure looked like they gave up on Monday night. Former Cowboys coach Wade Phillips summed it up best on ESPN’s Manning Cast.
The numbers are disgusting, especially for a unit with this much high-priced, and soon-to-be high priced, talent on it.
They have given up the 6th-most yards per game (371.3), 7th-most passing yards per game (239.9), and 6th-most rushing yards per game (131.4). That they are only 12th-worst in points per game allowed (25.0) is a bit of a miracle, thanks to a couple key goal line stands against Jacksonville and the Rams. They have a mere three interceptions and are the only team in the league without a fumble recovery. Those three total takeaways are tied with the Colts for fewest in the league.
The Eagles’ 28.1% pressure rate is 10th-worst, they have the 9th-fewest total pressures, and are 2nd-worst in sacks per game (1.1).
What’s worse, there are no injury excuses on the defensive side of the ball, certainly not against Dallas. While they missed Nolan Smith (concussion) on the edge rushing the passer, there was more than enough there to hold down the fort. Jalyx Hunt and Jonathan Greenard returned to the lineup, joining a group of tackles thought to be the best trio in the NFL.
Instead, a Dallas running game that ranked 30th in the league coming into the Linc, ran for 204 yards on 38 carries, a 5.37 yard per carry average. Dak Prescott not only wasn’t sacked, he wasn’t even threatened.
Bear in mind, this is a defensive line with Greenard ($25.2), Jalen Carter ($24.4) and Jordan Davis ($20.5) making a combined $70.1 million this season. Carter has 3 sacks and 18 tackles in seven games. Greenard has one tackle and one QB hit in four games. Davis has 27 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
Remember Jalyx Hunt, the guy everyone swore up and down was due for a monster season and huge contract based off his summer reps? He remains without a sack and has 4 QB hits and 17 tackles. The other up-and-comer, Moro Ojomo, has no sacks, 3 QB hits and 18 tackles. They’re not exactly playing themselves into big money deals. Only Smith has shown up this, leading all team edge rushers with 3 sacks, 3 QB hits and 4 tackles for loss.
Zack Baun and Quinyon Mitchell continue to play well, but the middle of the defense is missing safety Reed Blankenship’s steady play and Nakobe Dean’s athleticism and team leadership. Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. is now splitting time with last year’s first round pick, Jihaad Campbell, who has disappointed in a larger role this season. The safeties have been a disaster, and Riq Woolen has been extremely uneven.
The decline in play from slot corner Cooper DeJean is particularly startling. He’s likely to get a big money extension at some point, but he’s putting it in jeopardy as he has suddenly begun missing a ton of tackles and finding himself at the center of defensive miscommunications that have led to big plays over the last few weeks.
Part of the problem is how much Fangio’s unit has been on the field. Through their first seven games, the Eagles’ defense has been on the field for 67.3 plays per game, 4th-most in the NFL. That’s due to the offense leading the league in 3-and-outs. The defense has been on the field an average time of possession of 32:19. Only the Titans’ defense has been out on the field longer.
However, on Monday night, the offense was holding its own. They gave the defense a shot to keep them in the game, but they couldn’t keep up with Prescott and the Dallas offense. It was too much to ask.
It shouldn’t have been. The defensive side of the ball is where all the money is.
So now, at 2-5, the Eagles’ season is likely over. Even in a weak NFC East, it’s clear they don’t have the horses on offense, and it’s clear something is amiss defensively. Howie Roseman should be a seller at the trade deadline in two weeks. At that time, it’s possible some of these contributors on defense will be playing somewhere else.
For now, it’s one of the most disappointing performances by any Eagles unit in recent memory.