Vic Fangio's toughest stretch on the Eagles' 2024 season is a six-game nightmare

The pressure is on the Philadelphia Eagles to prove that last season was a fluke. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio must show that his defensive scheme can stand up to high-powered offenses and do so consistently. As fate would have, Philly will face several during the 2024-2025 calendar year.

The numbers for last season's Miami Dolphins aren't bad. They ranked third in the league in sacks, but there are two sides to every coin. They also contributed to a 70-20 beatdown of the Denver Broncos and helped smack several lesser teams they faced last year.

Last season, Miami was often hard to keep pace with, but when they met other teams that could match their offensive output, they were in trouble. Only two of the nine matchups that featured prolific offenses on the other sideline resulted in wins. They occurred versus the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers. The Fins were smacked by the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, and Eagles, but losing to the Tennessee Titans really exposed them.

Miami's numbers weren't great versus these offenses. The quarterbacks on those teams averaged 262 passing yards and combined for 21 passing touchdowns in those nine games. The rushing attacks of those teams averaged more than 100 yards per contest.

Why are we telling you this? It's simple actually. The Eagles face high-octane offenses this season, Can Fangio's defense hold off the competition to get crucial wins?

Here's a look at several teams that could give the Eagles' defense trouble this year.

Weeks 8-13 feature a potentially frustrating slate of games for the Eagles' Vic Fangio-led defense.

The schedule makers did Philly no favors, especially during a six-game stretch that runs from Week 8 through Week 13. They play at the Cincinnati Bengals, versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, and at the Dallas Cowboys before hosting the Washington Commanders and visiting the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens.

It isn't as difficult as the gauntlet they faced last season, but it is tough. This time around, fans are looking for a better showing and outcome. Joe Burrow will throw the ball all over the yard if the Eagle's secondary's aren't on their game.

Miami's defense last season didn't do well versus the teams fielding elite talent at the quarterback and wide receiver positions, and there may not be a better QB-to-WR connection than Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. Philly will face them in Week 8.

As entertaining as a shootout may be (and Philadelphia was involved in a few last year), the Birds want to limit the highlight-reel plays, but recent history shows Vic Fangio's defense gives up a lot of passing yards and touchdowns.

Can the Eagles secure back-to-back wins over the Rams? 

Philadelphia will look for its second straight win over the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, as these two teams met last season in early October. That one resulted in an Eagles win.

The Birds had a tough time stopping wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. They combined for 189 yards and one touchdown. Nacua is only expected to be able to get another year under his belt and with Kupp by his side only makes things more difficult for opposing defenses.

Might Lamar Jackson and the Ravens provide a statement game for Vic Fangio's defense?

We don't often mention games as revenge scenarios for coaches, but if there was ever a game that a defensive coordinator would want to circle it would be Vic Fangio's bout with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.

Fangio would certainly like to enjoy a little payback over the Ravens on December 1st. They demolished his Dolphins to the tune of a 56-19 final score. Lamar Jackson threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns in that one. If Fangio and company were to produce that type of showing, they'd be demolished by the Philly media on Monday.

Is the Eagles' defense ready for these high-powered offenses?

Philly lost some pieces during the offseason. Fletcher Cox retired. Haason Reddick was traded. New guys and younger stars certainly have big shoes to fill.

The Eagles have put in the effort to try and make the defensive side of the ball better. They added Bryce Huff. They also reacquired C.J. Gardner-Johnson and drafted Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. 

With those additions, and hopefully no mid-season change at the defensive coordinator position this year, the Eagles could build something under Fangio. Time will tell if they do. OUr fingers are certainly crossed this way.