Eagles vs. Packers Week 10: Three must-know storylines for ‘Monday Night Football’ showdown
3) Eagles defense underwent bye week makeover
Teams don’t normally transform to the degree Philadelphia did at the trade deadline. The Eagles, who during last year’s Super Bowl run sported the NFL’s second-ranked scoring defense, were apparently none too pleased with a unit that ranked 19th in points allowed at the season’s halfway point. Therefore, general manager Howie Roseman worked his magic. He acquired cornerback Michael Carter II, who has played 65 games over five seasons for the Jets, on Oct. 29, and three days later traded the Ravens for two-time Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander. Then, on Nov. 3, he landed pass rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins. Carter brings versatility, with the ability to play nickel and safety, to a group already highlighted by Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship, while Alexander becomes one of the more experienced, decorated backups a team could have to rotate into the lineup. They’ll both need some time to fully acclimate — for example, Alexander (knee/coach’s decision) isn’t traveling for the game — but Phillips could presumably hit the ground running on passing downs alongside fellow edge rushers Josh Uche and Jalyx Hunt. There’s suddenly a plethora of big-name players available to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio following a Philly facelift over the Eagles’ bye week.
