Eagles Defense

Much was said about the defense of the Eagles this offseason after they invested heavily in their interior defensive linemen the past two seasons, while neglecting LB, and safety even moving on from Malcolm Jenkins. 

Well how does 17 sacks sound after just 4 games? The thing I find most encouraging is it's as the Eagles planned it, it's not any one player producing all the pressure. Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Derek Barnett have combined for 8.5 sacks. Just behind them is Genard Avery with 1.5 sacks, tied with newly minted starting safety Jalen Mills who has 1.5 sacks himself. The interior defensive line has produced 3.5 sacks and Vinny Curry added .5 a sack. With all that being said the Eagles defensive line has produced 13 sacks spread between their top 5 defensive ends, and top 5 defensive tackles. Their LB's have accounted for just .5 sacks, while the DB's have accounted for 2.5 sacks as well. This in my mind has shown an indication that the investment on defensive tackles has paid off. They are attracting so much attention inside with a dominant defensive tackle rotation, that their defensive ends have been able to wreak havoc in one on one match ups. Their talented rotation is overcoming offensive lines because they are so deep. 

The secondary has dealt with repeated injuries and has struggled at times. However Jalen Mills has proven to be an asset as a safety. He has 20 tackles, and 1.5 sacks. Mills was asked to start outside at cornerback after injuries to corners Avante Maddox, and Trevor Williams. With Mills sliding to corner Marcus Epps started at safety while K'Von Wallace was asked to play more often. All 3 players did their part helping lead this team to its first win of the year. Rodney McLeod has been steady as always. Producing the second most tackles on the team, and 1 of 2 team interceptions which brings me to the linebackers. 

The linebackers have stepped up despite the original expectations for what would happen with this group. Nathan Gerry is leading the team with 33 tackles, Tj Edwards has started all 4 games and produced 14 tackles, and 1 forced fumble, while Duke Riley has 12 tackles, and .5 sacks starting 2 games opposite of Gerry. However the biggest play from the linebackers came from special teams stand out and former Canadian Football Player Alex Singleton who intercepted a pass on Sunday against the 49ers and returned it 30 yards for a game clinching td. 

The defense still has had struggled at moments of course but they are beginning to gel and the immense amount of pressure the line is producing will begin to turn into more turnovers soon.