The Eagles aren’t the same juggernaut they were last season, when they rode a bruising run game and the league’s top-ranked defense all the way to the Super Bowl. Fast forward to now, and they’re sitting at 9-5, looking up at a few NFC contenders.
The difference? The ground game has sputtered, the defense had to retool after losing several key starters, and the team’s overall consistency has taken a hit.
But here’s the thing: the defense is starting to look dangerous again. And if the Eagles are going to make another deep playoff run, it’ll be because this unit keeps trending upward.
Let’s start with the obvious. That 31-0 shutout of the Raiders wasn’t just a win - it was a defensive clinic.
The Eagles held Las Vegas to just 75 total yards. That’s not a typo.
And while it’s easy to chalk it up to a struggling Raiders offense, this wasn’t a one-off. Since coming out of the bye week, Philly’s defense has quietly become one of the league’s most effective units.
Sure, there were a couple of hiccups - a second-half letdown against the Cowboys and a rough outing against the Bears on Black Friday. But overall, this defense has carried the weight of an offense that’s been hot and cold.
No, the numbers don’t scream “No. 1 defense” like last year, but they do tell a story of a unit that’s bending without breaking. Since the bye, the Eagles rank just 15th in yards allowed, but in just about every other key metric, they’re among the NFL’s elite:
- Points allowed: 86 (2nd)
- Opponent QB rating: 67.2 (2nd)
- Opponent completion percentage: 51.5% (1st)
- Sacks: 19 (4th)
- Pass yards allowed: 1,027 (8th)
- Takeaways: 10 (6th)
- Yards per play allowed: 4.66 (7th)
- QB hurries: 29 (3rd)
- QB knockdowns: 26 (2nd)
That’s not just solid - that’s playoff-caliber defense.
Now, it’s fair to point out that the last two games came against Chargers and Raiders teams missing multiple starters on the offensive line. But this recent stretch also includes matchups against the Packers and Lions - two of the top 10 scoring offenses in the league.
The Eagles held both under 10 points. That’s not a fluke.
That’s a defense that’s finding its groove.
Even in losses, they’ve kept things respectable. Against Dallas, they held the Cowboys five points under their season average.
Against Chicago, they were two points under. That may not show up in the win column, but it’s a sign this defense is keeping games within reach.
The next big test comes in Week 17, when the Eagles travel to Buffalo to face the Bills and their high-powered offense, currently ranked second in scoring. Before that, they’ll face Washington on Saturday. The Commanders have struggled to stay healthy and recently shut down rookie QB Jayden Daniels, so the Eagles should have a chance to keep building momentum.
A New Wrinkle in the Run Game
Offensively, it’s been a different story. The Eagles’ run game - once their calling card - has taken a step back this season. Injuries along the offensive line haven’t helped, and the team has struggled to find consistent rhythm on the ground.
But against the Raiders, Philly made a clear statement early: they wanted to get physical.
The Eagles opened the game with a heavy dose of “13 personnel” - that’s three tight ends on the field - and brought in Cam Latu as a lead blocker. Latu, who’s been used sparingly this season, saw a season-high 19 offensive snaps (27.5% of total), up from his previous high of 15.3% back in Week 8 against the Giants. That Giants game also happened to be the Eagles’ best rushing performance of the season (276 yards), and while they didn’t hit that mark against the Raiders, they still churned out 183 rushing yards - their most since that Week 8 win.
It wasn’t flashy - they averaged just 3.9 yards per carry - but it was effective. Saquon Barkley ripped off a 17-yard run thanks in part to Latu sealing the edge and left guard Landon Dickerson pulling into the second level.
Plays like that show the Eagles are starting to mix in more Gap scheme runs - a shift from their usual zone-heavy approach. That’s something to keep an eye on as they try to revive a rushing attack that currently ranks 19th in yards per game (115.6) and 25th in yards per carry (4.06).
It’s not quite the bulldozing run game of last year, but it’s a sign the Eagles are willing to adapt.
Former Eagles Making Noise Elsewhere
While Philly works to get its own backfield going, a couple of former Eagles running backs are making waves.
Kenneth Gainwell, now with the Steelers, is having a breakout year. He signed a modest one-year deal in free agency, but he’s been anything but quiet on the field.
On Monday night, he racked up 80 rushing yards on 17 carries and added 46 receiving yards in a win over the Dolphins. That performance helped Pittsburgh stay atop the AFC North at 8-6.
Gainwell’s numbers this season? Career highs across the board: 93 carries, 451 rushing yards, a 4.8 yards-per-carry average. And he’s got some high-profile fans - Aaron Rodgers spoke glowingly about Gainwell after the game, saying he’s “been a fan” since his time in Philly.
Meanwhile, D’Andre Swift is quietly putting together a solid year in Chicago. He’s just five rushing yards behind Barkley despite having 49 fewer carries.
The Road Ahead
The Eagles still have work to do. The offense remains a question mark, and the run game - while showing signs of life - hasn’t been the consistent force it was a year ago. But the defense is starting to look like a unit that can carry this team through tough playoff battles.
If the offense can find its footing and the defense keeps building on this recent surge, the Eagles might just be peaking at the right time.