Inside the Iggles
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The Philadelphia Eagles’ mid-season report card: What have we learned?

By Geoffrey Knox

Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) cannot catch a fourth down pass in the end zone against New York Giants defensive back Trevin Wade (31) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) cannot catch a fourth down pass in the end zone against New York Giants defensive back Trevin Wade (31) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and safety Jaylen Watkins (26) break up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) in the end zone during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and safety Jaylen Watkins (26) break up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) in the end zone during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Defense:

The defensive unit is solid but not the immovable object that we want to give them credit for being. Everyone keeps pointing to point differential and the opponent’s scoring average. The Eagles are among the best in the league in both, but that only tells you half of the story.

Jim Schwartz is an excellent defensive coordinator. He’ll be looked at for head coaching opportunities at season’s end, and the Eagles would be wise to do everything they can to keep him. You can’t ignore what these team has done. They didn’t get the job done in the game against the Washington Redskins, but every other week they helped put this team in a position to win. Yes, there have been costly penalties to extend drives, but they’ve basically locked teams down in the second half of games.

They showed dominance against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings, but they were also taken advantage of early by the Lions and Giants. They can also get lost anytime anyone  decides to throw the deep ball. Still, this unit has the potential to be just as good as any defensive unit in the league (if they can figure out the cornerback position).

Final Grade: B+

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