This was an odd Philadelphia Eagles defensive efficiency to evaluate, because it was removed from excellent on a down-to-down foundation, however full of massive performs that swung the sport. The protection gave up yardage and made errors, but nonetheless created two interceptions, scored a defensive landing, and held the Minnesota Vikings to only one landing on six crimson zone journeys. The secondary remains to be studying to gel, however they made sufficient affect performs when it mattered.
The Eagles rank close to the underside of the league in success charge however close to the highest in EPA per drive, and this recreation was the proper encapsulation of that. There’s some great things on this one. Let’s go!
Each week, it feels just like the communication nonetheless isn’t fairly there with this Eagles’ secondary. There are at all times a couple of reps I’ve to return and determine what has occurred, as a result of the crew isn’t clicking prefer it was final 12 months. Fangio’s scheme is hard to be taught, so this isn’t a shock, however it will be good to iron these items out earlier than the top of the season. With out realizing precisely the decision (I believe it’s Cowl 8 – however even that may be coached in numerous methods), I imagine Mukuba spent too lengthy passing off the crosser, Quinyon Mitchell didn’t drop deep sufficient, and the Vikings capitalized for an enormous achieve. It’s exhausting to assign actual blame, however the consequence was one other reminder that this group nonetheless isn’t on the identical web page. The secondary stays a little bit of a piece in progress.
The corners have been too delicate at instances on this recreation, and it gave the Vikings too many simple completions. Minnesota hit the identical fast outs over and over. I assumed the protection depth was far too conservative, permitting Carson Wentz to finish passes beneath with out resistance. I believe they may have challenged receivers and disrupted timings extra on the LOS. It led to this concept of a ‘bend however don’t break’ protection, which I don’t at all times love.
Cooper DeJean was as soon as once more the standout. Whether or not lined up outdoors or within the slot, he was phenomenal. Jordan Addison is a tricky cowl, however DeJean shadowed him effortlessly right here. He’s bodily with out being grabby, and his instincts are excellent. He was sticky in man and decisive in zone, and his play power stood out too.
Clearly, an enormous speaking level this week was that Fangio used Jihaad Campbell at EDGE in base appears with Nakobe Dean as an off-ball linebacker. I’ve been fairly clear that I don’t assume Campbell is an EDGE defender, and I believe Vic Fangio agrees with me. Regardless of lining up at EDGE, Campbell solely rushed the quarterback 3 instances all recreation. That’s not one thing you see an EDGE defender do! Campbell was largely dropping into protection, which helped disguise coverages pre-snap. I believe it was an important thought for this week. The Vikings performed numerous heavy personnel, so we noticed a good bit of base protection this week. It will likely be fascinating to see what else the Eagles do to get Dean on the sphere towards groups that dwell in 11 personnel.
The run protection was a lot better this week. Jordan Davis seemed dominant once more after a disappointing recreation towards the Giants. He anchored double groups and utterly shut down inside runs. With Nakobe Dean again, the crew was comfy enjoying Baun and Campbell on the perimeters in six-man fronts, which made a noticeable distinction. This seemed nearer to the unit we noticed early final 12 months towards the run.
The spotlight of the sport: Jalyx Hunt’s interception return for a landing. I’ve been calling for Hunt to drop into protection extra, and this is the reason! This was traditional Fangio. It is a completely designed lure disguised as man protection pre-snap. The Eagles confirmed a five-down look, making Wentz assume he had a good matchup towards Justin Jefferson, who was remoted towards Andrew Mukuba. On the snap, Hunt dropped from the road into the passing lane, and Jalen Carter crashed by way of the middle, delivering an enormous hit on Wentz as he launched the ball. That is Carter’s traditional membership transfer, and it feels nearly unstoppable when he will get it proper. Hunt, utilizing his security background, learn the route, stepped in entrance, and took all of it the best way. As Baun was the one off-ball linebacker, when he blitzed, Wentz incorrectly assumed the center of the sphere was free. Carter’s stress was the important thing, however the design and execution have been excellent. It’s additionally a incredible catch by Hunt, and I’m unsure many EDGE defenders might make this play. It’s among the finest examples all season of Fangio’s simulated stress.
The second interception wasn’t as fairly, nevertheless it was nonetheless the results of good construction and self-discipline. Moro Ojomo’s inside stress compelled Wentz off his spot, and with Jefferson bracketed by Quinyon Mitchell and Mukuba, Wentz made a horrible determination attempting to throw behind the security. Mukuba learn it fantastically and dropped into the window for a straightforward interception. That is traditional Wentz. The Eagles performed plenty of bracket coverages over Jefferson, they usually labored properly. One of many nice issues about Fangio’s two-high construction is that it makes it simple to bracket elite receivers, with out doing rather a lot in a different way pre-snap.
Zack Baun quietly had one other wonderful recreation. He’s been probably the most constant defender (together with DeJean) this season. This play was an ideal instance. He identified the run immediately and made the deal with for a brief achieve. His skill to play the run, rush, and canopy makes him invaluable to Fangio’s system.
Right here’s one other protection mistake. DeJean handed off the movement receiver, however nobody picked him up, leaving two defenders masking three receivers. Happily, Baun’s stress compelled Wentz to verify it down, nevertheless it might simply have been one other explosive. These busts preserve occurring a couple of times a recreation. Sadly, Mukuba additionally missed one other deal with right here, and it turned a routine cease into an enormous achieve. Mukuba’s tackling approach has at all times been questionable, and it’s displaying up too usually.
Cooper DeJean’s end-zone play on Jefferson was particular. Jefferson tried to win with wonderful late arms, however DeJean stayed affected person, stayed in section, after which performed by way of the arms of Jefferson to knock the ball out. It’s an ideal instance of his soccer IQ and competitiveness. He’s been superior.
This subsequent rep confirmed the protection at its best possible, when all elements are working collectively. Mitchell blanketed Jefferson beneath, realizing he had security assist excessive. The Eagles bracketed Addison on the alternative facet. Baun erased Hockenson in protection. Ojomo collapsed the pocket with a robust inside transfer, and Joshua Uche spied Wentz earlier than triggering and forcing an incompletion. That’s textbook Fangio protection.
It was incredible seeing Nakobe Dean again. His vary and explosiveness give the protection a unique power towards the run. On this rep, Jalen Carter slanted inside and took out three Vikings’ linemen, opening an enormous lane for Dean to shoot by way of and make an enormous deal with for loss. Utilizing Dean in base downs, particularly behind heavy fronts, is sensible as he’s greatest when he can play quick and downhill. He’s not an important protection linebacker, however towards the run, he’s instinctive and fearless.
Ojomo’s sack late within the recreation was wonderful and doubtless his greatest particular person rush of the season. He beat the middle cleanly with a violent membership transfer, crossed his face, and hit Wentz earlier than he might escape. I believe this was his most disruptive efficiency of the 12 months.
The protection completed sturdy, particularly within the crimson zone. Mukuba, who’d had an up-and-down day, had a very good rep towards Jefferson right here. He had one other inconsistent recreation, however was higher than final week and undoubtedly confirmed some progress!
The ultimate sack, from Joshua Uche, sealed it. Fangio dialed up a 5-man entrance, however dropped Campbell into protection, and ran a stunt inside. Davis picked the guard, Carter collapsed the pocket, and Uche received with a vicious bull rush on the proper deal with. It was one of many few pure energy rush wins the crew has had in weeks. The Vikings’ offensive line isn’t excellent, however that is nonetheless wonderful to see nonetheless!
The protection remains to be inconsistent on a per-play foundation, however the skill to create turnovers and make game-changing performs is superb to see. I assumed the run protection was a lot improved, and the go rush seemed higher due to Carter’s return and a few key moments by Ojomo and Uche. The communication within the secondary remains to be a priority, however I count on that to enhance over time.
This wasn’t an ideal defensive efficiency, nevertheless it was a resilient one and finally, they did sufficient to win.
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