In the first half of the regular season, it was not easy watching the Philadelphia Eagles play football.
Most of the time, the offense struggled to get any rhythm going, and the defense couldn't pressure a single quarterback. That all seemed to change the moment that Philadelphia's favorite defender, Brandon Graham, stunned the football world by coming out of retirement.
Graham coming back and Jaelan Phillips getting traded from Miami to Philly completely changed how the defense played. When Graham was asked by reporters regarding the change he has seen from the team since his return, he acknowledged that it has happened.
“I see how much stuff we went through this year from the offensive side and how we handled it," Graham said via 94 WIP's Devan Kaney. "I know those guys have gotten better every week together.”
Brandon Graham won't say it, but he's had an impact on the team
There was a shift in the team's mindset, and Graham's presence played a big part in it. While Graham hasn't impacted games until most recently, his leadership is exactly what the Eagles needed to get back on track.
Even more important, Phillips jumping in and playing off the edge gave the Eagles the pass rusher that was missing all season. Graham and Phillips have combined for 21 pressures, 10 quarterback hits, and five sacks since they arrived in Philadelphia.
Even though the season has not been the smoothest ride for the Eagles, the team has seen significant improvement from the defense and is playing at an elite level. The offense still has some work to do, but at this point in the season, it's clear the defense will have to carry them to the Super Bowl.
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Philly is looking solid going into the playoffs, and thanks in part to Graham, who is in order for his leadership and getting this team's heads back in the game.