Eagles’ Run Defense Falters as Bears Exploit with 281 Yards
The Philadelphia Eagles faced a significant setback in their 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field. This marked a concerning trend for the team as they entered the latter part of the season with playoff aspirations. While the defense had previously demonstrated resilience, recent performances have raised doubts about their reliability.
Eagles’ Run Defense Falters Against Bears
In their matchup against the Bears, the Eagles’ run defense struggled to contain Chicago’s offensive attack. The Bears amassed a staggering 281 rushing yards on 47 attempts, the highest total allowed by the Eagles during defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s tenure. This performance highlighted the vulnerabilities that the Eagles had overlooked in previous weeks.
Key Statistics from the Game
- Total rushing yards allowed by the Eagles: 281
- Yards after contact: 177
- Touchdowns allowed: 2
- Average yards per carry for D’Andre Swift: 6.9
- Average yards per carry for Kyle Monangai: 5.9
Rookie Kyle Monangai and veteran D’Andre Swift were instrumental in exploiting Philadelphia’s defense. Monangai recorded 130 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Swift contributed an additional 125 yards and a score.
Challenges Faced by the Eagles
The defensive struggles can be attributed, in part, to the Bears’ effective offensive strategies. They utilized outside-zone run concepts, which disrupted the Eagles’ defensive alignment and allowed their running backs to find gaps for major gains. This strategy has historically posed challenges for Philadelphia, evidenced by a similar struggle against the Atlanta Falcons last season.
Player Reactions and Outlook
Following the game, Eagles players expressed their disappointment. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis remarked that the game could serve as a wake-up call: “This game is just going to be a launch pad for us to either get better or we can just stay the same.” Similarly, linebacker Nakobe Dean emphasized the importance of improvement, stating, “It’s definitely frustrating to give up that many yards.”
As the Eagles rank 18th in the league in rushing yards allowed, the pressure to address defensive performance intensifies. They must learn from these recent setbacks to refine their schemes and restore confidence ahead of the playoffs.
The Eagles’ defensive unit must prioritize tackling and gap integrity in their upcoming games. With a copycat league dynamic, other teams are likely to exploit their weaknesses if not rectified promptly. The focus now shifts to how the Eagles will respond and adjust as they aim to reclaim their defensive identity.
