Philadelphia Eagles Defense Needs To Improve for the Playoffs

Though their offense has gotten them here, the Philadelphia Eagles have several playmakers on defense.  If the team is to have success in the playoffs, they will need their defense to perform.  The run defense (for a change) hasn't been the problem. 

Rather, it's rather been the passing defense and having inexperienced players at defensive skill positions.  

Though they're still young and learning, several Eagle D-backs have been torched this season.  Notably, Ellis Hobbs, who's now contemplating retirement, was lit up in a loss to the Tennessee Titans.  Also, Dimitri Patterson was constantly picked on on his side in the absence of Asante Samuel.  The Eagles will need this to change if they're going to be able to hold opposing NFC playoff teams.  

Samuel leads the NFL with seven INTs, and his presence was missed greatly while he was injured.  While Samuel may not be all that good of a tackler, he can pick a route better than anyone in the NFL.  The problem with that aggressive style of coverage is that, like Samuel himself, it's often feast or famine.  

As seen in last week's miracle win over the Giants, the offense has bailed out the defense so many times this season.  Because of DeSean Jackson's unbelievable return, people forgot just how bad this team was for three-and-a-half quarters.  For about 50 minutes of that game, the Eagles looked like a last place team.  

But they are now a playoff team, the NFC East Division champs, nonetheless.  

The Eagles have lived and died off of the big play.  On offense, Michael Vick has lit defenses up with 20-plus yard plays.  The Eagles, as a team, have 73 of them.

Likewise, though, their defense has been gashed many times by that same big play.  A lot of this starts up front with their inability to pressure the QB.  They've managed just 35 sacks this season.  For a D-line rotation with as much talent as they have, this number should be higher.  

Come playoff time, there is little, if any, room for error.  If the Eagles falter once, it could be their season and shot at winning a Super Bowl.