The Philadelphia Eagles' pass rush has undergone a dramatic midseason transformation-and it's arriving just in time.
Through the first seven games of the year, the Eagles managed just 11 sacks. That’s a number that had fans and analysts alike raising eyebrows, especially for a team built around defensive line dominance.
But over the last six weeks, the script has flipped. Philly’s front has tallied 20 sacks in that span, including a seven-sack outburst in their Week 14 overtime loss to the Chargers.
That’s not just improvement-it’s a full-blown resurgence.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio offered some insight into what’s driving the turnaround. And as is often the case in football, it’s not just one thing-it’s a combination of personnel, play-calling, and situational execution.
“I think we’ve improved our rush,” Fangio said. “Bringing JP [Jaelan Phillips] in has helped, obviously.
Jordan’s improved. We’re getting into more third-and-longer stuff.
Some of the games where our third down numbers weren’t good, it was because we had a lot of third-and-shorts.”
Let’s unpack that.
The addition of Jaelan Phillips has been a clear catalyst. While the box score might only show one sack in five games, the advanced numbers tell a fuller story.
Phillips has racked up 14 pressures and five quarterback hits in that stretch-disruptive numbers that don’t always show up in the stat sheet but absolutely show up on film. His presence has added juice to a unit that badly needed it.
But Phillips isn’t the only reason this pass rush is cooking again.
Jalyx Hunt has arrived-and not a moment too soon. The rookie edge rusher turned in a breakout performance against the Chargers, notching 2.5 sacks and tying for the team lead with 4.5 on the year.
Hunt’s impact goes beyond just sacks; his 23 quarterback pressures and 18 hits show a player who’s consistently living in the backfield. For a team that’s been waiting for someone to step up off the edge, Hunt is answering the call.
Inside, the Eagles are getting meaningful contributions from a deep rotation of defensive tackles. Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo, and Byron Young have combined for 12 sacks and 28 quarterback hits on the season.
That’s a group effort that’s paying off in a big way. Davis and Carter, in particular, have shown flashes of dominance, collapsing pockets and creating chaos up the middle-something that makes life a whole lot easier for the guys coming off the edge.
What’s striking is how quickly this unit has gone from a perceived liability to a legitimate strength. Earlier in the season, the lack of pressure was a glaring issue. Now, the pass rush is arguably the defense’s most reliable asset.
And let’s not overlook the context. The Eagles’ offense has been inconsistent lately, struggling to find rhythm and finish drives.
But while the offense works through its issues, the defense-and specifically the pass rush-is keeping this team competitive. If the offense can get back on track, this pass rush could be the engine that powers a late-season surge.
Bottom line: the Eagles’ front four is heating up at the right time. With Phillips settling in, Hunt emerging, and the interior line wreaking havoc, this is suddenly a group that can take over games. And in December football, that’s exactly what you want.