PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles’ defense “made a statement” Sunday night, shutting down quarterback Jared Goff and the normally high-powered Detroit Lions’ attack in a 16-9 win that swings the conference odds in Philly’s favor.
“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,” Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis said. “We went out there and made a stand, made a statement on defense, and I’m very proud of the guys.”
Davis had three batted passes, one of which resulted in a Cooper DeJean interception. Davis’ former Georgia teammate, Jalen Carter, added two batted passes.
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Their success wasn’t by accident. The Eagles gleaned from tape study that they would have opportunities to swat down some of Goff’s passes because he throws at an angle, Davis said. They had a dedicated drill this week, simulating batted passes, with a defender behind them to haul in the interception.
Goff had a rough day, completing just 38% of his throws — the lowest by any QB this season — while being pressured 20 times and absorbing seven QB hits.
“Just little stuff like [batted passes] messes with a QB’s mind, messes with his mindset, how he passes the ball, and it showed in the game,” Davis said. “Fortunately for us, we made it very hard on him, from the pressures to the batted balls to everything.”
Goff was 0-of-12 passing while under duress, his second-most such incompletions in a game in his career. The last QB with 12 attempts and zero completions under duress was Blake Bortles in 2017.
The defense was especially disruptive in high-leverage situations. The Lions went 0-for-5 on fourth down, effectively turning coach Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness against him.
Jaelan Phillips, acquired by the Eagles from Miami ahead of the NFL trade deadline, had six pressures and a sack Sunday after an equally dominant debut against Green Bay. Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
“The defense was playing lights-out; it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen,” Eagles 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.”
Over the past two weeks, Philadelphia has held the Green Bay Packers and Lions — both NFC title contenders — to a total of 16 points. It is the Eagles’ first time holding back-to-back opponents under 10 points since Weeks 2-3 of the 2022 season.
It’s no coincidence that the performances have come since edge Jaelan Phillips was acquired from the Miami Dolphins ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Phillips had six pressures and a sack Sunday after an equally dominant debut against Green Bay.
“He fit in right away,” Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean said. “His personality, the way he plays, the physicality he brings.”
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis, above, said the Eagles knew from watching tape that they would have opportunities to swat down some of Jared Goff’s passes given that he throws at an angle. They had a dedicated drill this week simulating batted passes. Matt Slocum/AP
The Eagles have needed that kind of defensive effort because the offense has scored 26 points, its fewest during a two-game win streak since 1997 (also 26) and tied for its second fewest over a two-game win streak in franchise history (19 in 1934).
The Eagles (8-2) continue to find ways to win. According to ESPN Analytics, Philadelphia has a 47% chance to claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Those odds would have dropped to 17% with a loss.
“I think we take a lot of pride in just winning, period,” Eagles coach Nick 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.”
