The Eagles defense looked a lot like it did against the Bears, coming up short when it mattered most and failing to close out the game against the Rams, especially in the final two meaningful possessions. This group is “good, not great,” and frankly, that’s where things stand right now. There’s enough talent to hang with a very good Rams offense, but this defense cannot keep carrying an offense that went 0-for-12 on third down.
“Good, Not Great” Is The Problem
It felt like fatigue was a factor again, but that can’t be the excuse for every clean pocket, missed tackle, or coverage mistake. The defense had a shot to shut down this game, and it failed. We saw a ton of soft zone and a lot of completions that felt way too passive. There was a weird amount of Cover 2 out there. You get trying to make Matthew Stafford sustain drives instead of giving him easy explosives, and that approach definitely worked for stretches. But if you’re gonna play like that, you have to tackle well and eventually make the quarterback uncomfortable. The Eagles did neither consistently enough.
Mukuba’s Pick Shows What’s Possible
We’ve gotta talk about the interception, right? We need some positivity in our lives! Last week, I wondered if Vic Fangio might lean into a bit more man coverage with this personnel, and this play showed exactly why that could be appealing. The Eagles started with a single-high safety and played man underneath. That’s a different look from the two-high structures we usually see from Fangio. Jonathan Greenard did a fantastic job creating pressure, Stafford overthrew his receiver, and Andrew Mukuba took full advantage by making a great play on the ball. That’s how you help an offense that just can’t move the rock!
Trotter Jr. vs. Campbell: Who Plays More?
It’s getting tough to watch these games without wondering if Jeremiah Trotter Jr. should be playing more. His awareness is just outstanding. He recognized the receiving threat super quick, got into position before the throw, and totally limited any opportunity for yards after the catch. There was zero hesitation from him. That’s the real difference between Trotter and Jihaad Campbell right now. Campbell has the athletic ability to cover in space, for sure, but Trotter is just quicker to understand where he needs to be. I’m not screaming that Campbell should be benched yet, but the question is certainly on the table.
This defense showed flashes, but the inconsistency is glaring. If they’re going to compete, they need to find a way to finish games and support an offense that’s clearly struggling. What are they gonna do to tighten up those mistakes before the next kickoff?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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