Eagles’ run defense bottomed out vs. Cardinals after months of decline

Eagles’ run defense bottomed out vs. Cardinals after months of decline originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles had no answers for the Cardinals’ rushing attack on Sunday, giving up 221 yards on the ground in the shocking 35-31 loss.

Want to figure out why the Eagles lost this game?

Start there.

“Obviously the run game is going to be the first and foremost place where we’ve got to start,” de facto defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said. “I think they did a good job of using a lot of runs that have caused issues for us that we’re going back and making sure that we have those tightened up and fixed from that standpoint. Run fits are a big part of defense and really some place you want to start from a defensive philosophy standpoint to make sure you can stop the run.

“I think that’s critical this time of the year. No different than the other side of the ball is trying to run the ball. We have to be able to stop it on defense and that’s got to be our focus on that end to get it handled, and they did a good job. There was some good scheme stuff they hit good for us, that was good to see now, and that we can go forward and make sure that we have it tightened up as we move forward here.”

Those 221 yards on the ground are the most the Eagles have given up all season long. And it’s the most rushing yards the Eagles have given up in a game since the 2016 season in a 27-20 loss in Washington.

It was a disaster against the Cardinals as the Eagles failed to bring down James Conner but also let Michael Carter go for 61 yards and Kyler Murray for 24 and Rondale Moore for 8.

On Tuesday, Patricia was asked if the run fits being an issue in Week 17 is more coaching or personnel related.

“It’s going to start with me from that standpoint,” Patricia said. “Making sure that we have everybody understanding of how we want to get it fit, and taking care of when we see those different looks.”

Patricia took the blame, but this run defense was in a tailspin…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-run-defense-bottomed-vs-120000400.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-01-03 12:00:00

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