This was a very good, not nice, defensive efficiency. The Eagles had just a few points however they performed nicely total and compelled some essential turnovers in key conditions in opposition to the Washington Commanders.
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Protection
I’ve had such a blast watching Jalen Carter play soccer this 12 months. Add this play to the spotlight reel. I do know it doesn’t do something, however only a reminder that Carter weighed in at 323lbs on the mix. What number of guys 300+ can bounce over a operating again like this? He’s an insane athlete. I assumed Oren Burks had one other sturdy efficiency. He was good at avoiding blockers within the second stage and received downhill within the run sport shortly. Nakobe Dean was having a fantastic season, however Oren Burks has stepped up after that unlucky harm. It’s good to see the ‘subsequent man up’ mentality working.
Eagles Protection All22 thread vs. Washington. 1) Jalen Carter. Lol. That is one option to take care of a lower block. He is not a foul athlete is he?! Oren Burks was wonderful coming downhill at avoiding blocks and making performs in opposition to the run. The Eagles’ LB coach deserves loads of credit score! pic.twitter.com/5PcRZAFusD
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
The Eagles’ protection had a bizarre begin on this sport. Washington went on a really lengthy first drive and transformed just a few large third and 4th downs. If not for a cowardly punt by Dan Quinn on 4th and brief, I believe they might have scored, too. Within the sport preview, I identified that Washington typically focused the flats when these two groups performed earlier within the season. I mentioned this after the Week 11 matchup.
I do anticipate different groups to focus on the Eagles within the flat … we noticed the Eagles have some points with movement and protecting the flat on this one.
Sadly, the Eagles had the identical concern on this one. There have been too many events when the defensive again or linebacker liable for the flat performed too far inside. This led to some straightforward completions on third and 4th down. Listed here are a few examples from Washington’s first drive. I noticed this far too typically. I do know that Andy Reid can have seen this, too. Count on the Chiefs to focus on the flats early on within the Tremendous Bowl. The primary instance appears like a transparent miscommunication, too.
2) The largest criticism I had with the Eagles protection early on was the shortcoming to cowl the flat. Washington careworn the protection with some intelligent route ideas and the Eagles communication was a bit of off at instances. I anticipate the Chiefs to focus on the flat quite a bit early on. pic.twitter.com/EKdrrfNrzT
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
3) As soon as once more, there’s an excessive amount of house within the flat. That is too straightforward for 4th and 5. I am not sure why Baun is enjoying to date inside contemplating he has a security excessive. The Eagles want to verify they do not quit too many straightforward completions within the flat in opposition to the Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/CgRzDPxNOn
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
I received a little bit of criticism (rightly so) for a remark on-line after I known as the Eagles’ turnovers a bit of bit fortunate. That was unfair of me. I nonetheless assume that irrespective of how a lot you coach one thing, turnovers will at all times be a bit of bit fortunate. Nonetheless, the Eagles clearly prioritize punching the ball out, and it’s superior to see. It’s clearly one thing they prioritize quite a bit. My level on-line was that I don’t assume the Eagles’ protection performed that nicely within the first three-quarters of this sport, and I imagine the fumbles made the efficiency appear higher than it was. Possibly I’ve excessive expectations for this protection, however I assumed that Washington was shifting the ball fairly nicely on this sport. It is a incredible play by Zack Baun and Cooper DeJean, who do nicely to rally to the soccer and trigger the fumble. Each are distinctive athletes!
4) The Eagles are so nicely coached at rallying to the soccer and punching it out. The fumbles will not be simply flukes. This is a wonderful delayed display by Washington however DeJean does nicely to keep away from the block after which Baun does extremely nicely to knock the ball out. Take a look at how a lot… pic.twitter.com/xr2xt1lcEp
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
This was a incredible rep of crew protection. The Eagles don’t fall for the play-action bootleg and keep disciplined. The route distribution and communication are wonderful. Oren Burks is meant to be in protection, however he acknowledges that the receiving operating previous him will run into Cooper DeJean’s space, so he takes off and sacks Jayden Daniels. This play is all about instincts. It’s robust to teach when a defender ought to go away his protection zone and get after the quarterback, and we see loads of defenders do that poorly each week, however that is an instance of when it is best to go away your zone and get after the quarterback. Credit score to Oren Burks for having the instincts to make this play.
5) The Eagles had some excellent reps of route distribution. That is nice. It is a actually heads up play by Oren Burks. He is in protection however he is aware of he can go off the again to DeJean in protection so he will get after Jayden Daniels and makes a incredible play in house. The Eagles… pic.twitter.com/jcosmoWgno
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
This was the worst play of the sport for the Eagles’ protection. It’s only a easy slant route, and it will possibly’t flip into an extended landing. There are only a lot of particular person errors. This isn’t a schematic concern in any respect. Darius Slay is enjoying with outdoors leverage as he is aware of he has inside assist, however Zack Baun is a beat gradual, and it’s a fantastic throw and catch by Daniels and Terry McLaurin. Nonetheless, Slay has to make the deal with quite than simply go away McLaurin to Baun. Baun takes a foul angle and misses the deal with. As if that wasn’t dangerous sufficient, Reed Blankenship takes a poor angle and may’t stop the landing. Lastly, this isn’t a mistake, however take a look at the distinction within the response between Quinyon Mitchell and the receiver Mitchell is protecting. The receiver sees this occur and will get out in entrance of the receiver. Mitchell depends on his teammates to make a play and doesn’t rally to the soccer. It’s a minor teaching level, however rallying to the soccer on each snap is necessary.
I completely forgot to publish this TD… So right here it’s! It is a fairly horrible rep throughout. I believe Quinyon may rally to the soccer earlier. Baun and Blankenship take poor angles. Slay ought to make the deal with after the catch. Hopefully, we do not see a repeat of this play in 2… https://t.co/J2V3UiV5fK pic.twitter.com/SVOVcM7juu
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 29, 2025
Is that this… Cowl 2?! Did Vic Fangio name Cowl 2?! Jayden Daniels was as stunned as I used to be! Fangio not often ever calls Cowl 2, however it was cool to see him combine it up and go for it. I gained’t be shocked if we see it in opposition to the Chiefs, as they excel within the brief passing sport. Washington throws loads of brief throws, which is one other signal that Fangio will combine up his sport plan each week. That is wonderful protection, however the play is made by Milton Williams, who shoves the left guard again into Daniels’s lap. Williams goes to get a critical paycheck this low season!
6) Is that this… Cowl 2?!! No surprise Jayden Daniels was confused! The Eagles barely ever run it. Fangio at all times has just a few surprises up his sleeve. Additionally, take a look at Milton Williams push again the left guard into Daniels lap! Williams goes to get PAID by somebody. pic.twitter.com/Y1h3hagCaD
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
The Eagles’ protection was flat-out horrible on the finish of the primary half. I haven’t received a clue what they have been doing. Final week, I defended Fangio in opposition to the Rams and mentioned that the protection didn’t play Forestall on the finish of the sport. This week, I can’t defend a few of these calls. I’ve received no concept what they have been making an attempt to do right here, however they allowed Daniels to select up 19 yards simply and get out of bounds. Washington’s drive started at their 30-yard line with 39 seconds of the half remaining. With 2 seconds left, Washington was kicking a 42-yard area objective. They gained 46 yards in 37 seconds and didn’t even use a timeout. That’s tough.
The Eagles should deal with the top of the half like every other scenario. If the Chiefs get the ball on the finish of the half, or the top of the sport, needing a area objective… I can be extremely nervous. Gulp.
7) I can repair the Eagles’ finish of half issues on protection.
Firstly, simply play regular protection! Deal with it like a typical scenario.
Secondly, do not ever do that once more. That is horrible.
The Eagles don’t have any rush lane integrity. Cowl nothing brief. Permit Daniels to run and get… pic.twitter.com/QMEeUeU2aG
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
Nolan Smith has been lights out within the playoffs. He has progressed a lot in his second season. I’m so comfortable for him. He’s grow to be a very good go rusher and an excellent run defender who performs almost the entire snaps. This was a fantastic rep the place he takes on the pulling guard (who weighs about 82 lbs greater than him) and nonetheless makes the deal with.
Talking of EDGE defenders, I didn’t clip up something for Jalyx Hunt this week, however he had a very good sport. He confirmed some promise dashing the quarterback and was good in opposition to the run. Hunt performed 42 snaps!
8) Nolan Smith was superior on this sport. He is enjoying rather well. He is enjoying higher than I anticipated he would in his second season, so I am comfortable to take that L! Take a look at him tackle the pulling guard on the POA and nonetheless make the play on the operating again. That is excellent! pic.twitter.com/Ha8MiBT2PR
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
No matter your opinion of Jordan Davis, it’s essential to admit that we haven’t seen him do that typically! Wow! That may be a incredible rep. Think about being a quarterback and seeing Jordan Davis bearing down on you?! That needs to be terrifying. I wouldn’t need him touchdown on me, both… that’s gotta damage. Jordan Davis hasn’t taken a step ahead this 12 months, and he in all probability performed lower than many people anticipated. Nonetheless, if he can begin including this kind of go rush to his arsenal, then good luck to opposing offensive lineman!
9) Think about being a quarterback and having Jordan Davis operating at you. That is gotta suck. Washington decides to double Jalen Carter, which leaves Davis one-on-one, and he wrecks the left guard earlier than touchdown on prime of Daniels. Davis does not play quite a bit, however stills performs a task in… pic.twitter.com/c1QJFL4Thf
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
I’m such an enormous fan of Jayden Daniels. Sadly, he’s going to be incredible. Washington’s first landing was an apparent error by the protection. There’s no error right here. That’s not a lot you are able to do. Generally, you must say honest play.
10) Generally, you gotta say honest play! It is a hell of a play by Jayden Daniels. I am unsure Oren Burks takes the very best angle, however the protection performs this positive. It is simply an excellent run. pic.twitter.com/fbgTtbJn2C
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
I’ve already criticized the Eagles’ protection a few instances on this one. I’ve yet another factor to complain about. Earlier than Austin Ekeler’s fumble, Washington was driving down the sector and the rating was solely 34-23 at that time. Washington was shifting because the Eagles stored sending 5 go rushers, enjoying man protection, and leaving Reed Blankenship in one-on-one protection with Zach Ertz. Ertz wrecked him—greater than as soon as. Ertz had 11 (!) catches for 104 (!) yards on this sport. A few of that got here in rubbish time, however it’s nonetheless a bit of regarding.
11) I don’t know what the Eagles have been doing at one level within the second half, however the Cowl 1 man blitzes have been a little bit of a catastrophe. Zach Ertz beat Blankenship repeatedly in man protection. Blankenship has many strengths, however man protection shouldn’t be one in all them. I hope Fangio crosses… pic.twitter.com/ks6DSGsQI6
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
Fortunately, Oren Burks ruined this Washington drive by forcing a giant fumble. I like this, a lot! You possibly can inform that he’s been coached to do that. Moro Ojomo forces the brief throw with a very good go rush, and Ekeler falls as he makes the catch. Moderately than contact Ekeler whereas he’s on the ground, which might trigger him to be dominated down, Burks slows down so he hits him as he will get onto his ft. It is a nice time to trigger a fumble, and Burks does simply that! This was an enormous play within the sport.
12) Man, that is so good by Oren Burks. You possibly can inform by his response that the crew coaches this quite a bit. Burks slows down when he sees Ekeler on the bottom after which instantly punches the ball out as he will get up. The timing is ideal! Take a look at Moro Ojomo successful his one-on-one too! pic.twitter.com/Q6t3S1rgor
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
I’ve already talked about Nolan Smith, however I needed to present this one on 4th down. Zach Ertz is coming open on the deep over, so this was a essential go rush. That is on 4th down, so Daniels has to carry the soccer, and Smith takes benefit by lining up very large and bending the sting. The sport was mainly over anyway, however this play sealed it. What a incredible play!
13) Nolan Smith! What an superior rush on 4th down. The hustle and athleticism within the open area is actual. He forces Daniels off his spot, which is necessary because the deep over route would have been open! Quinyon Mitchell was completely unbelievable all sport. Look how simply he… pic.twitter.com/zOTU30jXFy
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
I haven’t talked about Quinyon Mitchell but (apart from his play on the lengthy landing). Have you learnt why? It’s as a result of he gave nothing up. He was like a veteran that opposing quarterbacks don’t even hassle taking a look at anymore. He struggled a bit of in opposition to Washington final time however was lights out on this sport. To prime off a superb efficiency, he makes this ridiculous interception on the finish of sport. What an unimaginable play. The Eagles have a younger famous person at cornerback. Cornerback is without doubt one of the hardest positions to play as a rookie, and the Eagles have two distinctive younger skills who’ve performed lights out this 12 months. This secondary needs to be nice for some time!
14) Let’s finish with Quinyon Mitchell’s interception. What a ridiculous play. He is in one-on-one protection and will get himself in excellent place. Then goes up and makes the play! I am unable to imagine the Eagles ended up with him and Cooper DeJean in the identical draft. What a ridiculous… pic.twitter.com/dYBwHnYOSG
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 28, 2025
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