Eagles Run Defense Exposed Against Bears - Time to Rethink Jalen Carter’s Role?
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t just take a loss on Thanksgiving - they got steamrolled. Giving up 281 rushing yards to the Chicago Bears wasn’t just a bad look; it was a full-blown red flag.
For once, the story wasn’t about the offense sputtering. This time, the defense took center stage for all the wrong reasons.
And at the heart of it was Jalen Carter.
The second-year defensive tackle, who’s typically a game-wrecker in the trenches, had one of the toughest outings of his young career. He looked out of sync, out of position, and - at times - overwhelmed.
According to Pro Football Focus, Carter posted season-lows in both overall defense (32.8) and run defense (31.5), along with his second-worst tackling grade (24.4). And while PFF grades aren’t gospel, the eye test didn’t disagree.
Carter missed two tackles for the second straight week, and his usual disruptive presence was nowhere to be found.
Now, maybe it was the short week. Maybe it was the physical toll of the season piling up. But whatever the reason, it’s clear something needs to change if the Eagles want to get back to playing championship-caliber football - especially with the postseason looming.
Time to Lean on Moro Ojomo?
Enter Moro Ojomo, the third-year defensive lineman who’s quietly been making the most of his opportunities. While he’s not the household name that Carter is, Ojomo has been solid - and in some areas, even better.
Through Week 13, Ojomo has logged 17 solo tackles and 36 pressures, nearly identical to Carter’s 18 tackles and 36 pressures - but Ojomo’s done it on 54 fewer snaps. That’s efficiency you can’t ignore.
And when you dig into the PFF grades, Ojomo’s numbers tell a compelling story:
| Category | Jalen Carter | Moro Ojomo |
|---|
| Overall Defense| 60.8 | 75.3 | | Run Defense | 45.9 | 66.6 |
| Tackling | 25.3 | 31.2 | | Pass Rush | 76.3 | 70.2 |
Ojomo’s run defense grade stands out the most. That’s the one area where Philly is getting gashed, and right now, Ojomo is simply doing a better job of plugging gaps and staying disciplined.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about benching Jalen Carter. He’s still one of the most talented young defensive linemen in the league.
His ceiling is sky-high, and he has the ability to wreck a game at any moment. But that doesn’t mean the Eagles shouldn’t adjust his usage.
Back in his Georgia days, Carter thrived in a rotational system. He stayed fresh, explosive, and effective.
Maybe it’s time to revisit that approach in Philly. Giving Ojomo a few more early-down reps could help Carter stay fresher for third-and-long situations, where his pass-rushing skills are most valuable.
Week 13 Snap Count Tells a Story
In fact, Week 13 already hinted at a shift. Ojomo tied his season-high with 62 snaps, while Carter logged 61. That’s the kind of balance the Eagles might want to lean into moving forward - especially with a ground-and-pound team like the Chargers up next on the schedule.
Jim Harbaugh’s squad is going to test Philly’s resolve in the trenches. If the Eagles don’t tighten up their run defense, it could be another long afternoon. And with no reinforcements coming this late in the season, the solution has to come from within.
That means smart rotations. That means playing to each guy’s strengths. And that means trusting players like Ojomo to step up when the moment calls.
The Eagles still have the talent to make a deep playoff run. But if they want to hoist the Lombardi again, they’ve got to stop the bleeding up front. That starts with finding the right balance between Carter and Ojomo - and letting both guys do what they do best.