3 Ways to refocus the Eagles defense in Week 2 on Monday Night Football

The defensive pressure needs to be more consistent to get Kirk Cousins out of rhythm.

After acquiring all of the talent that the Eagles added on defense, most expected the Eagles to produce more than one sack and six quarterback hits in the season opener last week. After all, the Lions were banged up along their offensive line.

The two longest-tenured Eagles, Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox split Philly’s lone sack in half but were aided by a bobbled snap that allowed them the extra time to get home. Other than that, they didn’t do much.

Sacks are drive killers, and if Philly would have been able to bring Goff down on a few more occasions, Week 1 may not have produced as many headaches.

Jonathan Gannon has all the weapons that he needs to run whatever scheme he wants and produce the pressure needed thanks. Linebacker Haason Reddick and defensive tackle Jordan Davis were key additions in free agency and the draft respectively. He also has young stars in the making like Josh Sweat, so the excuses are over. It would also help if he sent a blitz.

Kirk Cousins has only been sacked twice during the two previous meetings between Philly and Minnesota. He can’t be given all day to throw. If his offensive line keeps him vertical, it could be a long evening for the Philadelphia Eagles, and we could be discussing a 1-1 record with a road trip to our nation’s capital to face the Washington Commanders on the horizon.

Maybe Week 1’s showing can be chalked up to rust. Let’s hope that’s all it was. Going forward, the defense has to be better. The offense can’t be expected to win shootouts on a week-to-week basis.