Philadelphia Eagles' Third-Quarter Report Card: Defense & Special Teams

The Philadelphia Eagles offense earned a B-plus overall in my third-quarter report card. So naturally, since the defense is better, you’d think they would have to earn an A, right?

Alright, that’s usually my set-up line, but in this case, I have to ruin the party.

Yes, the Eagles defense will grade in the A range.

While they had their second-worst game of the season this quarter against San Diego, they’ve had a “bend but don’t break” mantra as of late and have come up big in key situations.

Jay Cutler driving? No worries, we’ll force a turnover. Need to hang tough to have a chance to beat Washington? We’ll only let them run eight plays in the fourth quarter. Atlanta’s got a chance to tighten up the game at the end of the first half? It’s cool, we’ll come up with a goal-line stand.

Even in the San Diego game, they were twice victimized by a short field and a bad penalty.

So let’s just see exactly how they grade out.

Defensive Line

Current Grade: B-plus
Previous Grades: B-minus, B-plus
Overall GPA: 3.11

If Trent Cole doesn’t go to the Pro Bowl, it will be a tough snub to defend. He’s third in the NFC in sacks (and just a half-sack out of second) and has made an art form out of harassing the quarterback.

The entire line’s production in that department, however, has gone down.

They only recorded six sacks in the third quarter, slightly more than half of their totals from the previous two.

But they’ve managed to climb back up into seventh in the NFL in rushing defense, and a defensive lineman made what could go down as the biggest defensive play of the year—that being Antonio Dixon’s blocked field goal against the Bears.

They’re better in some spots, worse in others... so their grade stays the same.

Linebackers

Current Grade: A-minus
Previous Grades: A, A-minus
Overall GPA: 3.82

Omar Gaither lost for the year? No problem.

Akeem Jordan misses most of the quarter with a knee injury? No problem.

Guys starting out of position? You get the point.

The Eagles used three different combination's of starting linebackers in four games... and didn’t miss a beat.

Okay, so Chris Gocong didn’t quite work in the middle (and to be fair, Moise Fokou didn’t work in Gocong’s spot), but Will Witherspoon could play any of the three linebacker spots and find success. His addition has been a Godsend for the Birds.

And while the middle linebacker position has seen five different starters in 12 games, the team has managed to get around it.

Joe Mays has improved tremendously, and Jeremiah Trotter made a key defensive play in coverage against Chicago that stalled a drive and helped Philly maintain the lead.

But if Antonio Dixon’s blocked field goal against the Bears wasn’t the biggest play of the game, Tracy White’s was. White’s excellent read on Jay Cutler’s final pass allowed him to jump the route and tip the ball, leading to Sean Jones’ interception that sealed the win.

They’ve done everything asked of them and done it with an ever-shifting lineup. The only thing that knocks their grade down is the fact that San Diego ran all over them and LaDainian Tomlinson had his biggest day of the year as a result.

Secondary

Current Grade: A-minus
Previous Grades: B-plus, A-minus
Overall GPA: 3.23

It was a tough quarter for the Birds’ secondary. Ellis Hobbs went on IR with a neck injury, Joselio Hanson was suspended, Asante Samuel’s neck was wonky and Sheldon Brown had a nagging hamstring injury.

They’re tenth in pass defense.

Samuel recorded his first two picks in weeks against Washington, and seems to be back. Brown, despite the bad hammy, managed to man up and
play just as well as he’s capable of.

Dimitri Patterson, mostly used as a gunner on special teams, stepped up to play opposite Samuel or Brown at times and also performed as well as anyone could have expected.

As did Macho Harris, who stepped in to play nickel corner when Patterson had to play in coverage and didn’t miss a beat.

The safeties, meanwhile, have been steady as usual. Quentin Mikell’s 67 tackles still lead the team, while Jones’ interception in Chicago was a watershed play in a very solid season.

Nothing to complain about here, so their grade goes back up into the A-range.

Special Teams

Current Grade: A
Previous Grades: A-minus, A
Overall GPA: 3.89

David Akers hit 16 consecutive field goals before missing wide left against Atlanta. That’s a personal and team record, and he’s still 26-of-30 on the year. His kickoffs are also still reaching the end zone consistently, so you might say he’s having a renaissance season.

Sav Rocca, meanwhile, is still averaging almost 42 yards per punt and has dropped more than a third of his punts inside the 20.

As for the return game, nothing new to report really, although the punt coverage team has brought opponents down to less than six yards per return.

Their grade goes up based on the strength of Akers’ leg and the fact that just about every skill layer or defensive back on the team has had to be a returner at some point as of late.

Overall Grade: A-minus

Previous Grades: B-plus, A-minus
Overall GPA: 3.23

The defense is ranked seventh in total defense, thirteenth in points allowed (19.3) and has been the glue that holds the Eagles together for 13 weeks.

They may not always be dominant, but they’re always very good... and in the last four weeks, all 30 or so players who have seen the field have contributed in a positive way.

Can’t ask for much more than that.

With two division games and the Denver Broncos still left on the schedule, they may have to hold it together for a few more weeks to propel the Birds into the postseason once again.