What We Will Label Jim Schwartz Monday Morning?

When the Philadelphia Eagles kickoff with the Detroit Lions this afternoon, Jim Schwartz will be in the national spotlight once again. With rumblings regarding his future beginning, will Schwartz be labeled a genius or, as he described Nigel Bradham, “a dumbass.”

The Eagles surprised most NFL pundits in the first four weeks with their undefeated start. As a result, a lot of the praise has been placed on Carson Wentz‘s shoulders. That’s perfectly fine. The kid has been marvelous. A return to the Motor City for Jim Schwartz will be the first time where the national media will turn it’s focus to the defensive side of the ball. In fact, they have already begun by throwing the head coaching possibilities for Schwartz. The Eagles are 3-0 this season. They’ve played one team with a winning record, at home. Let’s just remember to keep the champagne on ice for a few more months.

With the amount of hype surrounding today’s game, you would believe this is Schwartz’s return to Detroit for the first time. That’s not the case however. Schwartz’s first time back in Detroit resulted in him victoriously being hoisted off the field by his Buffalo Bills. Emotion is a badge he wears on his sleeve with pride whether his team wins or loses. It appears to be a trait that his players have come to appreciate. Fans should love it too. Defense has been the lifeblood of many Eagles fans throughout their life. Reggie White, Brian Dawkins, Clyde Simmons, Jerome Brown, Chuck Bednarik are not simply legends. They are indicative of smash-mouth defenses that took your lunch. Schwartz has brought that feeling back to the City of Brotherly Love.

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A showdown with the Lions presents another test for the Eagles defense, particularly the secondary. Marvin Lewis and Golden Tate are both polished receivers that can run precise routes as well as stretch the field. While not a good runner between the tackles, Theo Riddick is also dangerous in the passing game. Thus far, the Eagles haven’t faced a team with more than one dynamic playmaker at wide receiver. Unfortunately for Detroit, they will be without tight end Eric Ebron and backup running back Dwayne Washington. Even with those two receivers, as good as they are, it’s going to be a tough mountain to climb. The Eagles have yet to give up a passing touchdown this season. Aside from Antonio Brown, no other receiver has topped 100 yards receiving against the Eagles.

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There’s talk of today’s game being a trap game. On the surface it makes sense with the Eagles facing the Washington Redskins next week. I don’t buy that argument one bit. The Eagles are coming off a week of recovery and rest, while the Lions are reeling after a divisional loss to the Chicago Bears. The Eagles are rising while the Lions are once again facing mediocrity.

Perhaps that, more than anything, is why this game is so important. Sure it’s a conference game. It’s a week before the Eagles start divisional play. However, this is a game that the Eagles are supposed to win. Good teams win these games. Good defenses, like the Eagles, shut opponents like the Lions down. Good teams win after the bye week (remember Andy Reid?). Last season Calvin Johnson scored three touchdowns against the Eagles. If Jones or Tate does that, you can expect Schwartz to receive the brunt of the criticism. After all, this is a Lions offense that mustered eight offensive points against the Bears last week.

Schwartz has reinvigorated the Eagles defense. Thus far this season, the defense has been on the field for 20 fewer plays per game than last year. The Eagles are allowing the 4th lowest completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks. Stafford has a 69.3 quarterback rating on third downs while the Eagles have allowed opposing offenses to convert only 32.3% of third downs. The Eagles have 10 sacks on the year (9th most) and are facing a Lions offense that has allowed 10 sacks (10th most). Are we sensing a trend here?

This is a game that the Eagles simply have to win. In order for that to happen, Schwartz’s defense needs to bring their A game. I expect a win today. If I’m wrong, I won’t be the only one who is labeled as a “dumbass”. Schwartz will share not only that moniker, but likely much worse as well from this rabid fanbase. A win will lift both spirits and expectations higher in Philadelphia. A loss will force questions about how good this team really is. Regardless of the outcome, Schwartz, and his defense, will be the talk of the town. For his sake, let’s hope any and all expletives involved in that talk precede compliments, rather than criticism.

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