The Eagles’ Pass Defense Is Quietly Having a Historic Season - Here’s the Proof
With a rare Saturday game on the schedule and an extended break before their next matchup, the Eagles have a little breathing room. And while most of the spotlight has been on Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the offense, it’s time we give the defense-specifically the pass defense-its due. Quietly, methodically, and historically, the Eagles have been locking down opposing quarterbacks in a way we haven’t seen in years.
Let’s break down just how dominant this secondary has been.
1. Completion Percentage? Try Incompletion Percentage
Opposing quarterbacks are completing just 55.9% of their passes against the Eagles. That’s not just best in the league-it’s best by a mile.
The Texans are next at 58.6%, but Philly is playing in a different stratosphere. You have to go all the way back to the 2016 Broncos to find a defense that held QBs to a lower rate (55.4%).
And for an NFC comp? That would be the 2012 Cardinals, with Patrick Peterson and Adrian Wilson patrolling the back end.
To put this in historical context: the last time the Eagles themselves posted a number this low was 2008, when they held opponents to 54.1%. And remember, league-wide completion percentages have gone up-**61.0% in 2008 vs.
64.3% today**. So what the Eagles are doing this year?
It’s even more impressive.
2. A Rare Four-Game Stretch of QB Frustration
Over the last four games, the Eagles have held opposing quarterbacks to passer ratings under 56. That includes:
- Bears: 55.8
- Chargers: 54.3
- Raiders: 47.9
- Commanders: 51.0
That’s the first time they’ve done that in 72 years-since 1953, when they held six straight teams under 56. Only one team in the last two decades has matched or topped that: the 2019 Patriots, who did it in six straight.
3. Six-Game Stretch of Elite Efficiency
In their last six games, opposing quarterbacks have completed just 50.8% of their passes. That’s Philly’s best six-game run since 2008 (50.3%), and only the second time since 1998 they’ve held QBs under 51% over a six-game span.
This isn’t just a hot streak-it’s sustained, disciplined execution.
4. Touchdowns? Not on This Defense’s Watch
The Eagles have allowed just six passing touchdowns in their last nine games. That’s their best nine-game stretch in 25 years, dating back to the 2002 Jim Johnson-led defense that allowed only four TD passes from Week 4 to Week 12.
To find the last time the Eagles allowed six or fewer TDs and under 54% completions in a nine-game window? You have to rewind all the way to 1995.
5. Passer Rating Differential: A Historic Gap
Opposing quarterbacks are posting a 74.5 passer rating against Philly this season. That’s the lowest since 2008 (72.9), and when you compare it to the league average of 91.6, the Eagles are holding QBs 17.1 points below average.
That kind of margin hasn’t been seen in Philly since 1981, when the defense held QBs to a rating 18.5 points below the league norm.
6. A Four-Game Wall Against the Pass
In their last four games, the Eagles have allowed just 409 net passing yards. That’s the second-lowest total for any four-game stretch in franchise history-only behind a 2006 run (377 yards allowed).
They’ve also held opponents to fewer than 150 passing yards in four straight games, something they’ve only done once since 1956. That streak? Five games in 1997.
7. Since Week 5: A Fortress in the Secondary
Over their last 11 games, the Eagles have given up just eight passing touchdowns. That matches their best 11-game stretch since 2001. You’d have to go back to 2000 to find a better run, when they allowed just seven over 11 games.
8. A Rare Statistical Trifecta
Here’s one for the record books: This is only the second time since 1950 that the Eagles have had a four-game stretch allowing:
- Under 410 passing yards
- Two or fewer passing TDs
- Less than 51% completion percentage
The only other time? Midway through the 2006 season.
9. Passer Ratings Below 70, Over and Over
The Eagles have held seven teams in their last nine games to a passer rating below 70. That hasn’t happened in Philly since 1995. Back then, they were facing the likes of Jim Everett, Gus Frerotte, Tommy Maddox, Chris Miller, Dave Brown, Heath Shuler, and Troy Aikman.
That’s a throwback list-and this year’s QBs are getting similarly frustrated.
10. Passing First Downs? Not Here
In their last three games, the Eagles have allowed just 16 passing first downs. That’s their lowest three-game total since 2006. They’ve also gone three straight games allowing seven or fewer passing first downs, another 2006-level feat.
Even more impressive? They’ve held 12 of their 15 opponents to 10 or fewer passing first downs-the most by any team in a season since the NFL began tracking those stats in 1999.
10½. Lockdown Consistency
The Eagles have held 13 of 15 opponents to a completion percentage below 62%, the most in the league this season. The Broncos are next with 10.
One more game at that level, and they’ll match the 2011 Raiders for the most since 2008. Two more, and they’ll tie a mark that’s stood since 1991.
Bottom Line
This isn’t just a good pass defense-it’s a historically good one. In an era where quarterbacks are completing passes at record rates and offenses are built to air it out, the Eagles are bucking the trend with old-school toughness, smart coverage schemes, and relentless execution.
They’re not just stopping the pass. They’re suffocating it.
And if this continues into January? The rest of the NFC should be very, very concerned.