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Philadelphia Eagles have top defensive line in NFL after three weeks

By Geoffrey Knox

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive end Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his sack on fourth and goal in the final minutes of the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive end Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his sack on fourth and goal in the final minutes of the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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They’ve sure invested enough in their defensive line, and for their efforts, Pro Football Focus sees the Philadelphia Eagles as having the best defensive line in football after the first thee weeks of the 2018 NFL season.

According to Pro football Focus, one of the best sites on the web for statistical data, the Philadelphia Eagles have the best offensive line in the NFL after three weeks. Most would probably agree with that.

You can thank one of the deepest units in all of football for the honor.

Here’s what was said in an excerpt from PFF, detailing what they had to say on the subject:

"DEFENSIVE LINE RANKING, WEEK 3:  1stThe Eagles’ defensive line has managed to tie Mack and the Bears’ unit in pass-rush productivity (14.2) through Week 3. Veterans Chris Long and Fletcher Cox lead the way with pass-rush productivity ratings of 11.7 and 8.4, respectively. Philadelphia’s leading edge tandem, Long and Michael Bennett, is tied for first among top edge tandems in the NFL in total pressures (27)."

Here’s another excerpt. This one comes courtesy of PFF’s ’32 NFL observations from Week 3:

"Philadelphia Eagles: In the first three games of the 2018 season, the Eagles defensive line has produced 67 quarterback pressures, collectively won 17.5 percent of their pass-rushing matchups and combined to produce pressure on 12.8 percent of their combined pass-rush snaps – all of which rank first among defensive lines so far this season."

Let’s get some of you caught up.

Philly already had one of the top defensive line units in all of football with mainstays like Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham on the roster. Chris Long was added a season ago, and he was extended prior to this season.

Related Story. Eagles debate table: Does L.A.’s O-line top Philly’s?. light

Then, as if the the additions of Haloti Ngata and Michael Bennett in the offseason weren’t enough, the Eagles got even stronger, adding defensive end Josh Sweat in the NFL Draft. That may prove to be one of the steals of 2018’s selection meeting.

We haven’t even mentioned Derek Barnett, who Philly added with the 14th-overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Vinny Curry and Beau Allen are both gone from a season ago. To most, they were probably seen as role players in what may have been a unit that isn’t even as strong as the one the Eagles currently possess.

To make long stories short, the Eagles have upgraded their defensive front, and once this unit gels, you can bet money that they’ll only get better. No one from Eagles fans to the team’s defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will offer a complaint.

Next. Malcolm Jenkins gets a key to city of Camden. dark

So far, so good for what was seen as one of the strengths of this team heading into the 2018 regular season.

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