Eagles Film Analysis: All-22 defense takeaways from the Vikings game

This Eagles-Vikings matchup is likely one of the most pleasurable video games I’ve checked out in a very long time. The chess match was actually attention-grabbing, and I believed general Sean Desai known as an excellent recreation, regardless of it not wanting nice on the stat sheets. Let’s get into why! [In case you missed it: Eagles offense All-22 breakdown.]

Protection

This recreation was a incredible take a look at how Desai will deal with a high receiver. Very early on, it appeared that they gave Darius Slay the prospect to line up with Justin Jefferson one-on-one. I believed Slay was truly actually good, however you simply can’t cowl Jefferson from these splits on routes like this. It’s principally not possible for anybody cornerback. What I beloved although, was how rapidly that the Eagles tailored.

This was excellent on third down. I actually appreciated how the Eagles dealt with Jefferson for almost all of the sport by primarily utilizing numerous completely different variations of bracket. Once they bracketed Jefferson, he didn’t actually do rather a lot and I do know it sounds bizarre while you take a look at his stat line, however I truly assume they stopped Jefferson from completely controlling the sport and did OK in opposition to him. They weren’t excellent in opposition to him all recreation (extra on that later) however I believed the sport plan was actually wise and efficient. Additionally… simply take a look at Jordan Davis go!

I can’t say sufficient good issues in regards to the Eagles’ run protection after 2 weeks. They’re stopping the run regardless of enjoying comparatively gentle bins and never counting on 5-man fronts like final yr. Sure, they’ve performed two fairly dangerous dashing assaults, but it surely’s nonetheless a extremely good signal. The line of defense was actually, actually good and even the linebackers have been good in opposition to the run on this one. I believe Morrow performed properly and I’m type of stunned he didn’t make the roster as a result of I believe he’s an honest participant general.

Regardless of being impressed with Desai and his recreation plan general, the very fact is that the Eagles’ expertise within the secondary with the present accidents simply isn’t adequate. The safeties and linebackers bought labored in protection this recreation, however I’m actually undecided what else Desai might do, particularly as he needed to bracket Jefferson on a regular basis. This play is an efficient instance, by enjoying Dime you get a security on T.J. Hockenson, however the majority of instances Hockenson was on Evans he gained simply. This isn’t a case of being out-schemed and having a linebacker on Hockenson (though it is a nice play name in opposition to this protection to be honest) however a case of the Eagles not having sufficient defensive expertise to cease 2 actually good weapons in Jefferson and Hockenson.

I don’t who whether or not in charge Desai, the younger defensive backs, the defensive backs coach, or all the above – however the communication within the secondary was a catastrophe on this recreation. Motions, shifts, and play-action simply killed them at instances on this recreation. This can be a actually good instance. Mario Goodrich has the tight finish however finally ends up doubting himself as a result of Josh Jobe is a step late masking the receiver. Goodrich does get to the tight finish earlier than the top zone, however simply isn’t adequate to make the deal with. Personally, I might be wanting so as to add a veteran defensive again this week as a result of the depth isn’t adequate for my part.

General, I believed Jobe was truly respectable (regardless of some poor play as I’ve proven), and was high quality when requested to cowl Jordan Addison or Okay.J. Osborn one-on-one. I actually don’t like what I’m seeing from Terrell Edmunds presently, which is a disgrace as a result of I appreciated the signing within the low season. He simply seems to be misplaced on means too many performs and he additionally had a horrible snap this week the place he simply didn’t cowl the flat in cowl 3 (which was an identical to a foul snap he had final week by the best way). That is only a fundamental play-action play but it surely’s performed actually poorly, and I believe Nicholas Morrow’s response summed it up.

There was some stuff that I actually appreciated on this recreation. Using defensive lineman personnel and number of fronts was so cool to observe. This can be a nice play. Haason Reddick dropping into protection annoys a great deal of followers, however I believe it’s completely high quality so long as it used sporadically. The Eagles drop Reddick right here and I like the defensive lineman creating house for the blitzing linebacker. The 5 man stress with the blitzing linebacker taking the operating again will get Josh Sweat in a one-on-one and he wins. Slay and Jobe have actually good protection too which forces Cousins to advised the ball, which results in the sack fumble.

Jordan Davis is clearly wholesome once more, and he’s enjoying very well. The ability on present right here is fairly insane.

I noticed some individuals complain about Jobe due to this lengthy landing, however I truly assume the true challenge isn’t tackling the receiver after he’s made the catch. That is simply the proper offensive name in opposition to this defensive protection, and generally you simply should admit defeat on a play. I’ve been essential of Terrell Edmunds, however I believe his position right here is to chop the crossing route from the journeys aspect which implies he does his job on the play. This play solely works with excellent safety and sensible pocket motion, which Cousins exhibits right here.

So, I used to be impressed with Desai’s plan for Jefferson general. However, there was a flaw within the plan general. When Jefferson began within the slot, the Eagles have been high quality. Howrver, when Jefferson began outwide and motioned to the slot, it precipitated the Eagles enormous points. I didn’t submit the play the place Jefferson fumbled, but it surely regarded precisely like this. Jefferson motioned to the slot and ended up one-on-one with the slot cornerback, that was Goodrich at this level. On each performs, there was no actual bracket or security assist so it was only a straight up one-on-one. That’s principally a catastrophe ready to occur. It was a brief week with new defenders within the secondary, so the Eagles sadly wouldn’t have the time to plan for every part, however that is one thing they should work on shifting ahead.

That is the one play I checked out and actually didn’t like what I noticed. Once more, it’s important to do not forget that it was a brief week and a whole lot of younger defenders have been within the secondary, however you’ll be able to’t have miscommunications like this within the secondary and count on to be a high protection. I’m not within the room, so I’m not going to take a position who’s at fault as a result of it will simply be a guess, but it surely’s simply not adequate. I actually do assume the Eagles might do with one other veteran presence within the secondary, ideally somebody who has performed in an analogous system or underneath Desai earlier than, and I hope they make a transfer within the subsequent few days. As I’ve mentioned, I loved the sport plan on this one, however the secondary mixed with the linebackers in protection simply isn’t adequate.

I don’t need to decide on Zach Cunningham as a result of it feels unfair and I believed he was good in opposition to the run. However he was actually dangerous in move protection. His physique simply doesn’t have the athleticism to cowl house and make tackles within the open area. It’s an actual drawback. There was numerous clips I might have posted, the place he simply bought burned in protection.

Ultimate Notes

I believe it’s time to see extra Sydney Brown. I can’t see why he shouldn’t be on the market over Terrell Edmunds shifting ahead.
I believed Justin Evans had a extremely good understanding of the protection on this recreation, however he bought beat badly by Hockenson on numerous performs. General, although, I believe he was higher than he was final week.
If the Eagles don’t signal one other cornerback, I might begin Jobe on the skin and transfer James Bradberry to the slot.
Slay seems to be like he’s shifting very well this season. I do know there was some query about extending an growing older cornerback, and he would possibly decelerate earlier than the top of his contract, however I believe he has regarded glorious these first 2 weeks.