Man, I’m gonna be real, I expected way more from the Eagles’ defense against the Titans last Sunday. Yeah, they only gave up 20 points, and seven came from an early Hurts INT, but anyone watching saw it: this wasn’t the Vic Fangio defense we thought we were getting. Giving up 5.7 yards per play? That’s just too much, plain and simple.
Run Game Struggles Were A Huge Problem
The biggest red flag was how easy the Titans found it on the ground and after the catch. This unit usually rallies to the football, but Sunday felt off. Missed tackles, slow reactions,it was weird. Jonny Page called it a “slightly strange defensive game,” and he was right. The heat probably played a part, but you can’t blame everything on fatigue when the offense only ran 51 plays.
When the Titans moved with duo concepts, Eagles linebackers Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell were late. And where were the safeties? Not getting downhill with enough conviction. Campbell, despite a pretty decent game against the run overall, had a rough rep, not trusting his eyes. Duo plays are tricky, demanding decisive second-level fits and help from behind. The Eagles just didn’t have enough of either on those crucial plays. This stuff sets a bad tone early, even if not every run was a disaster.
Outside Zone Exploited, Risks Taken
It wasn’t just duo runs; outside zone runs were a serious challenge. The Titans pounded it 10 times for 67 yards on those plays, no fluke there. What bugged me was the defensive line slanting away from the run direction. Fangio loves slanting to create negative plays, and I get it. But it risks displacing your guys if the offense runs the other way.
Then those five-man fronts pushed Campbell out to the edge, leaving Baun as the lone conventional linebacker. I see the appeal of more bodies up front, but it asks a TON from Baun if the offensive line wins their blocks. And again, the safeties needed to arrive faster. When you’re giving up those kinds of yards in what should be comfortable situations, the Titans found ways to attack too easily.
What’s Next For This D?
Look, some individual plays were outstanding, sure. But that doesn’t excuse the overall performance. When a defense that’s supposed to be this good gives up 5.7 yards per play, with easy yards stacking up, it’s a gut punch. They’ve gotta tighten run fits, get safeties more involved, and clean up tackling. This isn’t just one game; it’s about setting the standard. They’ve got work to do, and I’m watching to see the response.
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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