As the Philadelphia Eagles offense continues to zombie-walk its way through the 2025 season, Vic Fangio's defense has carried the Super Bowl champion torch, dominating yet another formidable opponent in Sunday night's 16-9 win over the Detroit Lions.
Philly's defensive front obliterated the Lions' offensive line, taking advantage of the youthful and banged-up group to the tune of 20 QB pressures, seven QB hits and two sacks. The Eagles defense made a normally composed Jared Goff look like his rookie self -- skittish in the pocket, rushing his delivery, missing low, wide and way off the mark.
"We talked about it all week, going out there, being physical, playing our style of game. They've got to come through us. They've got to come through Philly if they want to advance," defensive tackle Jordan Davis said, via ESPN. "We went out there and made a stand, made a statement on defense, and I'm very proud of the guys."
The Eagles forced Goff into a 37.8 percent completion rate, the lowest of his career (first time below 40 percent) and the fifth-lowest in a game in Lions franchise history.
When they weren't discombobulating Goff into looking like a MAC quarterback, the Eagles were swatting his passes like a Robertlandy Simón mixtape. Davis netted three passes batted, while Jalen Carter added two more.
The smothering defense held an explosive Lions offense to 317 mostly hollow yards and 13 first downs. Outside of a few short tosses that Jahmyr Gibbs took for big gains and a crosser to Jameson Williams for a touchdown, Detroit was snuffed out.
Following last week's 10-7 win at Lambeau Field, it marked the first time Philly has allowed 10 points or fewer in consecutive games since Weeks 2-3, 2022.
On Sunday night, Philly won on the key downs. The fourth down-happy Lions went 0-for-5 on fourth downs and 3-for-13 on third downs. Every big play that needed making, the Eagles made Sunday night.
"The defense was playing lights-out; it was one of the best performances I've ever seen," quarterback Jalen Hurts said. "So a really, really big-time game on that side of the ball. To be able to do what they did on fourth down against a really good offense ... a potent offense that's capable of doing really special things ... I have a lot of respect for that."
A championship-caliber defense, which got better with the trade deadline addition of Jaelan Phillips (team-high six QB pressures), is covering for a still-struggling offense, which earned just 272 yards and punted seven times despite getting excellent field position from its defense.
Coach Nick Sirianni's team continues to win ugly. The hope is that eventually the offense will find its footing. Until then, they have a defense they know can get them deep into January.
"I think we take a lot of pride in just winning, period," Sirianni said. "As I watched football today [around the league], I feel like I saw a lot of teams waiting to lose. Our team's waiting to win because they know how to win. There's something to be said for knowing how to win and knowing how to figure out ways to win."
