Eagles Defense Puts on a Clinic in Shutout Win Over Raiders
Let’s be honest: the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense didn’t exactly present the stiffest challenge. But in the NFL, a shutout is a shutout-and what the Philadelphia Eagles defense did on Sunday wasn’t just dominant, it was downright surgical.
Holding a professional football team to 75 total yards? That’s not just rare-it’s almost unheard of.
And while the Raiders were clearly outmatched, the Eagles didn’t just win. They dismantled.
From the opening snap, this one never felt competitive, and that’s a credit to a defense that’s hitting its stride at just the right time.
Cooper DeJean: The Corner Who Plays Like a Linebacker
There’s a reason offenses love to scheme runs that isolate a running back against a cornerback-usually, that’s a mismatch in the offense’s favor. But not when the corner is Cooper DeJean.
The rookie continues to show why he’s one of the most complete defensive backs in the league already. His ability to diagnose plays, take perfect angles, and finish tackles cleanly has made him a nightmare for opposing run games.
Whether he’s in the slot or lined up outside, DeJean is simply erasing plays that should be chunk gains. His tackling technique is textbook, and his instincts are even better.
Eagles D-Line Dominance: No Blitz Required
Moro Ojomo’s sack on Kenny Pickett-where he blew right through the right guard-was a microcosm of the entire night. The Eagles didn’t need to bring extra pressure; their front four was more than enough.
Even without Jalen Carter in the lineup, Philly’s defensive line was collapsing the pocket with consistency, especially from the interior. That’s the kind of pressure that breaks an offense’s spirit-when the quarterback can’t even step up because the middle is caving in.
You can only imagine what a healthy Carter might’ve done against this group.
Jaylx Hunt was another standout up front. His athleticism jumps off the screen-fluid, explosive, and efficient with his movement.
The Eagles dialed up stunts that absolutely flummoxed the Raiders’ offensive line, and Hunt’s ability to shoot gaps and finish plays was a big reason why. The Raiders couldn’t communicate or adjust, and the Eagles made them pay for it.
And then there’s Jordan Davis. His performance was another reminder that he’s not just a space-eater anymore-he’s a playmaker.
On one rep, he dominated the guard, kept his outside arm free, and finished the play with ease. That kind of control and technique has become routine for Davis this season.
The concerns about his conditioning are fading fast, because he’s been reliable, disruptive, and consistent all year long.
Cohesion on the Back End: Coverage and Rush in Sync
Brandon Graham’s sack was a perfect example of how the Eagles’ pass rush and coverage are working hand-in-hand. The back-end rotation to single-high safety was seamless, and Zack Baun’s coverage on a wide receiver was textbook.
That’s a tough ask for any off-ball linebacker, but Baun made it look routine. When the coverage holds up that well, the rush has time to get home-and that’s exactly what happened.
Graham added another sack to his career total, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more deserving vet still producing at this level.
Adoree’ Jackson continues to look more and more comfortable in this system. Earlier in the season, he was biting too early on routes and getting burned.
But now? He’s patient, trusts his technique, and is playing the ball with confidence.
On one key rep, he stayed square, maintained leverage, and made a clean play at the catch point. That kind of growth is exactly what the Eagles needed from their CB2, and with Marcus Epps also settling in, the secondary is finally starting to stabilize.
Zack Baun and the Art of Linebacker Coverage
Zack Baun’s interception was the kind of play that shows just how well he understands this defense. The Eagles dropped into a box coverage look, with Reed Blankenship rotating over the top, but Baun’s awareness was the star of the show.
He read the route without even needing to look at the receiver, kept his eyes on the quarterback, and jumped the throw perfectly. That kind of anticipation only works when you trust your corners-especially Quinyon Mitchell, who’s been locking down one side of the field all season.
Baun’s feel in coverage, especially in these zone-heavy looks, has been a massive asset for Vic Fangio’s scheme. He’s not just a solid linebacker-he’s become a critical piece in how this defense functions.
Nolan Smith, Nakobe Dean, and the Speed Factor
Nolan Smith’s sack might be the most unintentionally hilarious moment of the night. The Raiders tried to chip him, but the execution was so poor that it actually gave Smith better leverage.
From there, it was all speed and balance-Smith turned the edge and closed like a missile. That’s the kind of athleticism that gives offensive tackles nightmares.
As for Nakobe Dean, this was one of his better showings in coverage. Yes, it was against a struggling Raiders offense, but when Dean trusts what he sees, his burst and physicality are elite.
His acceleration over short distances is rare, even among linebackers. The key for him remains consistency-but this was a step in the right direction.
Quinyon Mitchell: Don’t Even Bother
At this point, offenses aren’t even testing Quinyon Mitchell-and for good reason. He’s reached that elite cornerback territory where quarterbacks look the other way before the ball is even snapped.
On the rare occasion the Raiders did throw his way, Mitchell shut it down with ease. He looked almost offended that Pickett would even try.
Leaving him on an island isn’t a gamble anymore-it’s a foundational part of how this defense operates. And it’s what allows the Eagles to shift coverage help elsewhere, particularly toward Adoree’ Jackson’s side.
Final Word: A Statement Performance
This was as complete a defensive performance as you’ll see in the NFL. Yes, the Raiders are struggling, but elite defenses don’t just beat bad teams-they bury them.
That’s exactly what the Eagles did. Every level of the defense was locked in, from the front four to the secondary.
And with Vic Fangio’s system clicking into place, this group is starting to look scary.
If the Eagles can keep executing with this kind of discipline and cohesion, they’re very much still in the hunt.