Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan Setting Tone for Philadelphia Eagles Defense

As the old football saying goes, "It all starts up front," and that's certainly been the case with the Philadelphia Eagles defense, where not one but two Pro Bowl-caliber players are dominating the line of scrimmage.

Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan set the tone for an opportunistic Philadelphia defense during Sunday's critical 39-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The defensive-line tandem combined to record 11 tackles—four for loss—and 4.0 sacks, while the unit as a whole went on to produce four turnovers.

Actually, it might be more apt to say Cox put the game on his back with a Herculean individual effort. The defensive end racked up a team-high six solo tackles, 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles alone. At one point, he sacked quarterback Drew Brees, stripped the ball and recovered it by himself.

Do not discount the disruptive presence of Logan up the middle, however. The nose tackle has been downright unblockable at times in 2015, particularly in the running game, registering three tackles for loss and his first sack of the season against the Saints.

Both players are enjoying Pro Bowl-caliber seasons on their own. Together, they are leveling offensive lines, devastating all passers and ball-carriers in their path.

YR	GMS	TKL	SK	FF
2015	5	18	4.0	2
2014	16	61	4.0	1
2013	16	41	3.0	0
2012	15	39	5.5	1

Cox started becoming a household name last season, with some observers feeling he was overlooked for a trip to Honolulu. No doubt that was a result of numbers that didn't do his performance justice—just 4.0 sacks and one forced fumble.

However, recognition came in the form of second-team All-Pro honors, and with 4.0 sacks and two forced fumbles through five games, more should be on the way.

"I hope the outside world recognizes the talent he has," Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis said after the game.

"He's a Pro Bowl-caliber player. I've been around a long time, and that's what they look like. They play the run and they cause disruptions in the passing game. Sack numbers come and go, but he has the skill set."

Head coach Chip Kelly went so far as to call Cox the Eagles' most valuable player last season, and he was that and more again on Sunday. The best part is he only turns 25 this year, which means he's only just entering his prime.

The fact that Cox is taking over games is what you come to expect from a former 12th-overall draft pick. Logan's development has been much more of a pleasant surprise.

YR	GMS	TKL	SK	FF
2015	16	26	1.0	0
2014	16	57	0.0	1
2013	16	27	2.0	0

Selected in the third round in 2013, Logan took over the starting nose tackle job midway through his rookie season and has never disappointed. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked fifth among interior defensive linemen in run-stop percentage last season, which is no small feat.

This year, however, Logan seems to have taken his performance to another level. The 25-year-old entered Week 5 ranked third among interior linemen with a stop on 17.4 percent of the running plays where he was deemed responsible for making the stop—nearly double 2014's stout 9.9.

Logan is as active a nose tackle as you'll see. He leads all Eagles linemen with 26 tackles, including a nine-tackle performance against Washington last week.

The duo has been borderline unstoppable, borderline incredible. As a team, the Eagles are holding opponents to 3.5 yards per rushing attempt and has forced 13 turnovers through five games. It all begins up front, and it all begins with Cox and Logan.

All quotes are the author's unless otherwise attributed.