Jordan Davis Is Finally Breaking Out-And the Eagles Are Reaping the Rewards
When the Eagles picked up Jordan Davis’ fifth-year option back in April, it raised a few eyebrows. At that point, Davis hadn’t exactly lived up to the expectations that come with being a first-round pick.
He wasn’t a bust, but he hadn’t been a game-changer either. Locking in a guaranteed $12.9 million salary for 2026 felt like a bit of a gamble.
Now? It looks like a bargain.
Davis has transformed this season-both physically and on the field. The 25-year-old defensive tackle showed up in the best shape of his career and has been putting together a breakout fourth year that’s finally matching the flashes of potential he showed at Georgia.
A New Level of Production
Monday night in Los Angeles was another step forward. Davis added a half-sack to his season total, bringing him to 4.5 sacks through 13 games-already surpassing the 3.5 sacks he collected in his first three NFL seasons combined (47 games).
The numbers tell the story clearly. Davis is now averaging a sack every 120.9 snaps in 2025, compared to one every 323.1 snaps over his first three seasons. That’s not just improvement-it’s a leap.
Here’s how his career stats stack up:
| Season | Games | Sacks | QB Hits | TFLs | Batted Passes |
|---|
| 2022-24 | 47 | 3.5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | | 2025 | 13 | 4.5 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio pointed to Davis’ improved technique, but the real difference-maker has been his conditioning. Davis dropped 26 pounds heading into this season, and it’s paying off in a big way.
He’s not just lighter-he’s more explosive, more consistent, and more available. Through 13 games, Davis has already logged a career-high 544 snaps, playing 62% of the team’s defensive plays. That’s a massive workload increase, and he’s still bringing high-level impact.
Davis himself summed it up in a way only a lineman could: “It’s well-known in the NFL that the white jerseys are tighter than other colors. So if you really feel good in that white jersey, you’re really doing something.”
He’s doing something, alright.
Eagles’ D-Line Finds Its Swagger
Even without Jalen Carter in the lineup, the Eagles’ defensive front came alive on Monday night. Justin Herbert spent most of the evening under siege as Philly racked up 7 sacks and 28 pressures in a gritty performance, despite the overtime loss.
The Eagles posted a pressure rate of 68.3%-the highest single-game mark by any NFL team this season. That’s not a typo. Nearly 7 out of every 10 dropbacks ended with Herbert under duress.
Linebacker Zack Baun put it best: “There’s no better feeling than sitting back in coverage and watching the quarterback just getting swarmed.”
It was only the fifth time during the Nick Sirianni era that the Eagles have recorded 7+ sacks in a game, and just the second time under Fangio’s watch. The last time they hit that mark was last season’s 8-sack showing against the Giants.
That performance gave the Eagles’ pass rush a much-needed jolt. Heading into Week 14, they were tied for 22nd in the league with just 24 sacks.
After Monday night, they’ve jumped all the way to 15th with 31. That’s a seven-spot leap in one week.
And the momentum might keep rolling. Next up: Kenny Pickett and a Raiders offensive line that’s allowed a league-high 50 sacks through 13 games. The Eagles’ front could be licking its chops.
Special Teams Shuffle: Hughlett Returns
The Eagles also made a quiet but notable move this week, activating long snapper Charley Hughlett from injured reserve. The 35-year-old vet had been sidelined since Week 4 with a core muscle injury that required surgery.
He was close to returning a few weeks ago but had a minor setback. Now fully cleared, he’ll be back in uniform on Sunday.
That means Cal Adomitis, who filled in admirably for nine weeks, was released. It’s a reminder of the harsh realities for NFL specialists-there’s only one job, and no margin for error.
“It’s always a weird dynamic,” Hughlett said. “It’s not like the offensive line where there’s 18 guys on a roster.
Everyone knows the reality of this business. Cal’s an awesome dude and did a great job.
He’s got a long career ahead of him.”
Sirianni’s Hands-On Approach
There was some buzz earlier in the week about head coach Nick Sirianni getting more involved in the offensive game plan ahead of the Chargers matchup. Sirianni confirmed it after the game, but offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo downplayed the idea that it was anything new.
“I’ve been here for five years, and it’s really no different,” Patullo said. “Nick’s always been involved. He knows what we’re doing, and he’s an awesome resource.”
Whatever the level of involvement, the offense was a mixed bag on Monday. The Eagles moved the ball effectively-365 total yards and 19 first downs-but managed just one touchdown in 14 possessions. They lost 22-19 in overtime.
Still, Patullo emphasized the benefit of Sirianni’s input: “We work really, really well together. It’s fun and a good process to have him throughout the week to bounce things off him.”
Heavy Favorites-But History Says Be Careful
Looking ahead to Sunday, the Eagles are 11.5-point favorites at home against the Raiders. It’s the ninth time under Sirianni that Philly has been favored by double digits. They’re 6-2 in those games, but they’ve only covered the spread twice.
The last time they were in this position and lost? Week 17 of the 2023 season, when they were 12-point favorites against the Cardinals and blew a 15-point halftime lead in a 35-31 loss. That one still stings.
Here’s how the Eagles have fared as 10+ point favorites under Sirianni:
- Week 14, 2024: Win (-13.5) vs. Panthers, 22-16 - Did not cover
- Week 17, 2023: Loss (-12.0) vs. Cardinals, 34-31 - Did not cover
- Week 16, 2023: Win (-13.5) vs. Giants, 33-25 - Did not cover
- Week 18, 2022: Win (-16.0) vs. Giants, 22-16 - Did not cover
- Week 10, 2022: Loss (-10.5) vs. Commanders, 32-21 - Did not cover
- Week 9, 2022: Win (-13.5) vs. Texans, 29-17 - Did not cover
- Week 8, 2022: Win (-10.5) vs. Steelers, 35-13 - Covered
- Week 16, 2021: Win (-10.0) vs. Giants, 34-10 - Covered
So the Eagles have been dominant in these spots, but not always convincing on the scoreboard. With the Raiders struggling to protect their quarterback, this could be an opportunity to flip that narrative.
Bottom Line
Jordan Davis is finally becoming the player the Eagles hoped he’d be when they drafted him in 2022. His transformation-on and off the field-has helped spark a defensive front that’s starting to look dangerous again. And with a favorable matchup ahead, Philly has a chance to build on that momentum as the playoff push heats up.
The Eagles are far from perfect, but if their stars keep rising and the trenches keep dominating, they’ll be a tough out down the stretch.