The Eagles (6-2) have won four straight games, and a significant factor in the streak has been Vic Fangio's defense and the addition of rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean to an already improving unit.
After entering the bye week 2-2 and fresh off a beatdown from the Buccaneers reminiscent of 2023, Philadelphia has been efficient on defense, pressuring the quarterback upfront and locking down opposing pass catchers on the backend.
With kickoff against the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys fast approaching, we're looking at some of the players and a few stats that have made this unit dominant.
Philadelphia is the only team that ranks among the top six in the NFL in total offense (6th, 377.1 ypg) and total defense (3rd, 290.1 ypg)
Even before the bye week, the Birds were solid on this side of the football. Defensively, Philadelphia has allowed only three plays of 40+ yards all season (T-4th in the NFL).
DeJean entered the lineup in Week 6, and after a much-needed bye in Week 5, this unit took off and found its identity.
Since Week 6, the Eagles rank 1st in the NFL in total defense (214.5 ypg), passing defense (141.0 ypg), rushing defense (73.5 ypg), defensive points allowed per game (11.0), and sacks (16).
While quarterback Jalen Hurts has decreased his penchant for turning the football over, the Eagles' defense has picked up its game. Philadelphia (5 takeaways, one giveaway) ranks T-5th in the NFL in turnover margin (+4) since Week 6, trailing only Detroit (+10), Houston (+7), Pittsburgh (+6), and Washington (+5) in that category.
Sweat has recorded 5.0 sacks in the last five games, including a 2.0-sack performance in Week 9 vs. Jacksonville. His 5.0 sacks lead the Eagles and rank T-4th in the NFL since Week 4, trailing only Trey Hendrickson (8.0), Dante Fowler (6.0) and Dexter Lawrence (6.0).
Carter, who tied career highs in pressures (6) and pressures against double teams (3) in Week 9 vs. Jacksonville (according to Next Gen Stats), ranks 3rd among NFL interior DL in PFF pass-rush grade (84.7) behind Chris Jones (91.2) and Cameron Heyward (87.9).
Since Week 6, Zack Baun has posted 36 tackles (23 solo) with 1 TFL, 1 INT, and 1 FF. During that stretch, Nakobe Dean has combined for 34 tackles (20 solo), 3 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, and 1 FR. In Week 9 vs. Jacksonville, Baun and Dean became the first Eagles LB duo to each record an INT in the same game since Carlos Emmons and Jeremiah Trotter in the "Pickle Juice Game" on 9/3/00 at Dallas.
Among cornerbacks in the NFL with 100+ coverage snaps, Cooper DeJean ranks 2nd in PFF coverage grade (85.3), trailing only Zyon McCollum (85.7)
Quinyon Mitchell ranks T-5th among NFL CBs with nine forced incompletions (including a team-high 6 PDs), behind Denzel Ward (14), Paulson Adebo (12), Carlton Davis (10), and D.J. Reed (10). He has held opponents to a 53.7% completion percentage and 76.1 passer rating.