Eagles 'Create Mass Destruction'; Best Defense in NFL?
In the 2023 NFL Draft last month, the Philadelphia Eagles spent two first-round picks to improve their defensive front by taking a pair of Georgia Bulldogs prospects in defensive tackle Jalen Carter and edge defender Nolan Smith.
Because of these additions to play-makers already on the Eagles roster like pass-rushers Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat, the team now has one of the league's top units, and NFL.com helped explain why.
"Featuring a collection of pass-rushing specialists with size, speed, athleticism and explosiveness, Philadelphia creates mass destruction in the trenches," says NFL.com. "Four different players on the Eagles' defensive front hit double-digit sacks last season ... Philly cycled through a series of game-wreckers, keeping everyone fresh and raring to wreak havoc. I haven't even mentioned last year's first-round pick, Jordan Davis."
Philadelphia boasts no fewer than six members of its defensive front that are or are projected to become top-shelf starters as soon as this year and within the next two or three if not.
The group's 70 sacks last season rank third in NFL history. With added talent and development, Philly could threaten the 72-sack record held by the 1984 Chicago Bears. Helping in this effort will be the fact the Eagles play eight games in the regular season against teams that finished in the top 10 of most sacks allowed in 2022.
Each of those opponents - the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders - allowed 2.55 sacks per game or more projecting to nearly 46 sacks potentially coming in those games alone.
It's rare to have one of the NFL's best quarterbacks and such an impactful defense at the same time, but Philadelphia has managed to achieve that feat.
And it's just one more reason why the Eagles are favored to win the NFC East and represent the conference in Super Bowl LVIII.
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