Eagles-Rams Movie Overview: Jalen Carter makes everybody on the defensive position look higher

This was certainly one of my favourite Philadelphia Eagles defensive performances of the season as a result of it was towards a critical offense. Sean McVay is an impressive soccer coach and this Los Angeles Rams offense is proficient. Though the Rams scored 20 factors, the protection dominated. The rating would have mirrored the domination with out some questionable passing interference calls and a late landing. Let’s get into it. (Beforehand: Eagles-Rams offensive movie overview.)

Protection

The Rams got here out and had success on the primary few performs of the sport. I’m certain I wasn’t the one one nervous that McVay had discovered the Eagles’ protection. Then I remembered that Fangio is the Eagles’ defensive coordinator! He shortly adjusted and began utilizing these 5-man fronts on early downs to cease the Rams’ operating sport. It was a genius transfer, and these 5-man fronts had been crucial all through the sport on 1st down. I’ll write correctly about Brandon Graham after the season, however he had a improbable sport. The Eagles will miss his capacity to kick inside, because it permits them to be very unpredictable with their fronts. Isaiah Rodgers deserves enormous credit score for forcing the fumble right here. The Eagles’ defensive backs are taking part in exhausting in run protection and having a huge impact.

It feels bizarre to be so optimistic a few participant after he will get beat, however I can’t say something good issues about this rep by Quinyon Mitchell. Puka Nacua is an impressive participant. McVay calls the proper play towards the Eagles’ single-high protection and Quinyon has to play with outdoors leverage towards an in-breaking route. This play must be open 99 instances out of 100. Regardless of this, Quinyon covers it completely and almost breaks it up. Each single cornerback will get beat at instances. One of the best ones make you’re employed for each single yard.

The announcers talked about Jalen Carter being double-teamed so much on this sport, and this clip exhibits why. Sadly, Jordan Davis provides the Eagles nothing as a cross rusher. I’d love him to win his one-on-one right here and provides opposing offensive coordinators one thing to think about earlier than instantly double-teaming Carter. Davis is a useful early down run defender, however his pass-rushing abilities haven’t improved.

Most individuals will watch this play and complain concerning the cross interference name on Slay. Watching this play reside, I did the very same factor. Nonetheless, there are a few extra attention-grabbing notes on the All22. Firstly, this is without doubt one of the first instances I’ve seen Josh Sweat kick inside and Zack Baun line up because the EDGE subsequent to him. The Eagles will want somebody to exchange Brandon Graham’s position if they’re to stay unpredictable with their fronts. This alerts that Josh Sweat may tackle that position. I’m fascinated to see who does it as a result of I’m sure that the Eagles might want to use some 5-man fronts towards the Ravens this weekend. Secondly, the Eagles’ route distribution is excellent as soon as once more. Fangio is aware of easy methods to coach a secondary.

Ed Reed Blankenship. What a participant. You may’t play the ‘robber’ position any higher. The Eagles performed numerous single-high protection on this sport, which didn’t shock me. The Rams are identified for operating many crossing routes, and the ‘robber’ security might help take away the crossing route in the midst of the sector, as Blankenship does right here. Blankenship does a tremendous job taking away two routes in the midst of the sector, however the cross would have been accomplished with no improbable restoration by Darius Slay. I really feel unhealthy for Slay as a result of he’s taking part in so nicely this 12 months however simply can not keep wholesome. I hope the Eagles give him time to relaxation as a result of I need him match and firing for the post-season. He’s having an incredible 12 months when he’s on the sector.

I do know followers can generally get over-excited when a rookie is taking part in nicely (particularly in a small pattern measurement), however Cooper DeJean deserves the hype. He’s remodeled this protection. The Eagles reside in nickel now and don’t must play any base due to how good DeJean is towards the run. In addition to this, his protection has been wonderful. His urgent on the line of scrimmage has actually stood out and helped him shut down Cooper Kupp on this sport. The Eagles smashed the 2024 NFL Draft, didn’t they?

Nakobe Dean has been lights out the previous few weeks, however this was his finest sport. He regarded good in protection, blitzing the quarterback and in run protection. You may inform that he’s not overthinking something and he’s trusting his instincts proper now. The signal of an incredible defensive coordinator is that his scheme makes gamers look higher. Many individuals had been shocked that Dean was beginning over Devin White in the beginning of the season, however nobody is questioning that call now. Fangio appears to have gotten all the massive personnel choices proper this 12 months. I’m actually completely satisfied for Dean. That is an superior play.

Yeah, I’m not prepared to speak about Brandon Graham but. I didn’t know concerning the harm till the top of the sport, and it immediately ruined my good temper. I spoke about Brandon Graham within the first 10 minutes of my podcast this week, so in order for you extra ideas on him, please be at liberty to hear right here. He’s not only a improbable dude; he’s a improbable participant. He’s regarded nearly as good as he ever has over the previous few weeks, and the Eagles are actually going to overlook him on the sector. Personally, I’m simply so gutted for him as a person. It gained’t really feel proper watching this Eagles’ protection with out BG on the sector.

Have a look at the eye Jalen Carter instructions on this play. Blitzing the weakside linebacker reverse Carter is simple cash. Dean is a improbable blitzer, and this isn’t the primary time he’s made a operating again look silly in cross safety this season! That is ‘Whip’, an idea I’ve spoken about earlier than. It’s the place the weakside linebacker blitzes, and the strongside EDGE drops into protection. It’s a Fangio stapl,e and it’s labored so much this season.

If that is the final ever time I put up a clip of Brandon Graham, then it’s a depraved play to finish on. My mind tells me that BG is 36 years outdated, which implies that that is possible the top of the highway for his taking part in profession. My coronary heart tells me he gained’t wish to exit like this…

I hope I see BG again within the Eagles’ inexperienced subsequent season.

The Eagles’ route distribution was good nearly all of the time, however there have been just a few shaky performs. I attempt to touch upon issues I believe could possibly be a problem shifting ahead, so I believed I’d simply point out this. I don’t just like the Eagles’ dime bundle, and it doesn’t appear to work with Avonte Maddox on the sector. I hope the Eagles strive one thing else as a result of I can see this being a problem on an essential third and lengthy over the subsequent few weeks. It’s a disgrace Kelee Ringo can’t play within the slot as a result of I’d quite see him on the market. You might push Quinyon inside and play Ringo on the surface in dime however that feels somewhat foolish contemplating how Quinyon is taking part in proper now.

Milton Williams will get the sack, however the Eagles’ cross rush is about Jalen Carter. He’s a famous person. I’m somewhat involved about how reliant the Eagles are on Carter, however I admire that every one groups are reliant on their superstars to some extent. Carter makes everybody on the defensive position look higher as a result of he continuously takes on double groups. Generally, two offensive linemen aren’t sufficient to cease Carter.

I’m excited to observe this protection play towards an exceptional Ravens offense. It’s going to be a captivating sport to interrupt down subsequent week. Go Birds!

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