Eagles-Rams Film Review: Jalen Carter makes everyone on the defensive line look better
This was one of my favorite Philadelphia Eagles defensive performances of the season because it was against a serious offense. Sean McVay is an outstanding football coach and this Los Angeles Rams offense is talented. Although the Rams scored 20 points, the defense dominated. The score would have reflected the domination without some questionable passing interference calls and a late touchdown. Let’s get into it. (Previously: Eagles-Rams offensive film review.)
Defense
The Rams came out and had success on the first few plays of the game. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one worried that McVay had figured out the Eagles’ defense. Then I remembered that Fangio is the Eagles’ defensive coordinator! He quickly adjusted and started using these 5-man fronts on early downs to stop the Rams’ running game. It was a genius move, and these 5-man fronts were very important throughout the game on 1st down. I will write properly about Brandon Graham after the season, but he had a fantastic game. The Eagles will miss his ability to kick inside, as it allows them to be very unpredictable with their fronts. Isaiah Rodgers deserves huge credit for forcing the fumble here. The Eagles’ defensive backs are playing hard in run defense and having a big impact.
Eagles Defense All22 vs. Rams. 1) The thing I enjoyed the most was how quickly Fangio adjusted. The Rams had a few good runs on the first drive and the Eagles instantly went to their 5-man front with Baun dropping down to EDGE and BG kicking inside. This is a fantastic play by… pic.twitter.com/pCAKdfBdQg
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
It feels weird to be so positive about a player after he gets beat, but I can’t say anything good things about this rep by Quinyon Mitchell. Puka Nacua is an outstanding player. McVay calls the perfect play against the Eagles’ single-high coverage and Quinyon has to play with outside leverage against an in-breaking route. This play should be open 99 times out of 100. Despite this, Quinyon covers it perfectly and nearly breaks it up. Every single cornerback will get beat at times. The best ones make you work for every single yard.
The announcers talked about Jalen Carter being double-teamed a lot in this game, and this clip shows why. Sadly, Jordan Davis gives the Eagles nothing as a pass rusher. I would love him to win his one-on-one here and give opposing offensive coordinators something to consider before immediately double-teaming Carter. Davis is a handy early down run defender, but his pass-rushing skills have not improved.
2) This is the perfect call by the Rams against this coverage. Puka Nacua has great leverage against Quinyon Mitchell and he still only just beats him. That’s the sign of an outstanding cornerback. Quinyon can’t cover this a lot better. Also, I would love Jordan Davis to be able… pic.twitter.com/YscRr89uus
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
Most people will watch this play and complain about the pass interference call on Slay. Watching this play live, I did the exact same thing. However, there are a couple of more interesting notes on the All22. Firstly, this is one of the first times I’ve seen Josh Sweat kick inside and Zack Baun line up as the EDGE next to him. The Eagles will need someone to replace Brandon Graham’s role if they are to remain unpredictable with their fronts. This signals that Josh Sweat could take on that role. I’m fascinated to see who does it because I am certain that the Eagles will need to use some 5-man fronts against the Ravens this weekend. Secondly, the Eagles’ route distribution is outstanding once again. Fangio knows how to coach a secondary.
3) Josh Sweat kicks inside here & Baun lines up at EDGE. This is interesting. We might see this more as BG is the one who usually does this.
I think the Eagles route distribution and coverage here is outstanding. It was for most of the game. I don’t agree with the PI call and… pic.twitter.com/SBgtUVGJ93
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
Ed Reed Blankenship. What a player. You can’t play the ‘robber’ role any better. The Eagles played a lot of single-high coverage in this game, which did not surprise me. The Rams are known for running many crossing routes, and the ‘robber’ safety can help take away the crossing route in the middle of the field, as Blankenship does here. Blankenship does an amazing job taking away two routes in the middle of the field, but the pass would have been completed without a fantastic recovery by Darius Slay. I feel bad for Slay because he’s playing so well this year but just cannot stay healthy. I hope the Eagles give him time to rest because I want him fit and firing for the post-season. He’s having a great year when he’s on the field.
4) Wow, this is a hell of a rep for a couple of reasons. Firstly, this is a brilliant rep from Darius Slay. This is a tough route to cover with outside leverage and Slay does well. Secondly, Reed Blankenship plays the robber role SO well. He takes away Nacua initially and then… pic.twitter.com/qrVP2bHa9I
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
I know fans can sometimes get over-excited when a rookie is playing well (especially in a small sample size), but Cooper DeJean deserves the hype. He’s transformed this defense. The Eagles live in nickel now and don’t have to play any base because of how good DeJean is against the run. As well as this, his coverage has been excellent. His pressing at the line of scrimmage has really stood out and helped him shut down Cooper Kupp in this game. The Eagles smashed the 2024 NFL Draft, didn’t they?
5) Cooper DeJean taking away Cooper Kupp! DeJean’s really physical at the LOS and it allows him to be tight in coverage. I love the nickel cornerback role for him and it’s allowing the Eagles to stay in base all the time too. He’s become very important already. pic.twitter.com/i8Lee21eJ8
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
Nakobe Dean has been lights out the past few weeks, but this was his best game. He looked good in coverage, blitzing the quarterback and in run defense. You can tell that he’s not overthinking anything and he’s trusting his instincts right now. The sign of a great defensive coordinator is that his scheme makes players look better. Many people were surprised that Dean was starting over Devin White at the start of the season, but no one is questioning that decision now. Fangio seems to have got all the big personnel decisions right this year. I’m really happy for Dean. This is an awesome play.
6) Nakobe Dean! I think this was the best game of his career and he’s just getting better and better. This is the classic sidelide-to-sideline play that all fans love to see. Look at how athletic and fast he looks here. This is awesome. pic.twitter.com/xqGwT11qp9
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
Yeah, I’m not ready to talk about Brandon Graham yet. I didn’t know about the injury until the end of the game, and it instantly ruined my good mood. I spoke about Brandon Graham in the first 10 minutes of my podcast this week, so if you want more thoughts on him, please feel free to listen here. He’s not just a fantastic dude; he’s a fantastic player. He’s looked as good as he ever has over the past few weeks, and the Eagles are really going to miss him on the field. Personally, I’m just so gutted for him as an individual. It won’t feel right watching this Eagles’ defense without BG on the field.
7) I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about BG yet…
I started watching the NFL in 2009. BG was drafted in 2010. I can’t really imagine a defense without BG. He’s going to be a massive miss because he’s been exceptional the past month. The Eagles are going to need others to step up… pic.twitter.com/VL3QqsjxRc
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
Look at the attention Jalen Carter commands on this play. Blitzing the weakside linebacker opposite Carter is easy money. Dean is a fantastic blitzer, and this is not the first time he’s made a running back look stupid in pass protection this season! This is ‘Whip’, a concept I’ve spoken about before. It’s where the weakside linebacker blitzes, and the strongside EDGE drops into coverage. It’s a Fangio stapl,e and it’s worked a lot this season.
8) Nakobe Dean again on Whip! Sweat does enough dropping into coverage and Dean completely blows up the back. Fangio’s defense is perfect for Dean because it allows him to blitz a few times a game and Dean is taking full advantage of this freedom. Look at the coverage too! pic.twitter.com/eU0ydVMID6
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
If this is the last ever time I post a clip of Brandon Graham, then it’s a wicked play to end on. My brain tells me that BG is 36 years old, which means that this is likely the end of the road for his playing career. My heart tells me he won’t want to go out like this…
I hope I see BG back in the Eagles’ green next season.
9) Ah man, the Eagles are really going to miss BG’s ability to kick inside. It’s been so effective this year. He blows up this run.
I hope he does come back next year, but if this is the last play I post of BG, it has been a pleasure to watch him. An Eagles legend. This team… pic.twitter.com/zLkKac6bp2
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
The Eagles’ route distribution was good the majority of the time, but there were a few shaky plays. I try to comment on things I think could be an issue moving forward, so I thought I’d just mention this. I do not like the Eagles’ dime package, and it doesn’t seem to work with Avonte Maddox on the field. I hope the Eagles try something else because I can see this being an issue on an important 3rd and long over the next few weeks. It’s a shame Kelee Ringo can’t play in the slot because I would rather see him out there. You could push Quinyon inside and play Ringo on the outside in dime but that feels a little silly considering how Quinyon is playing right now.
10) I feel bad picking on him but the Eagles route distribution doesn’t feel great when Maddox is out there. I’m not even blaming him, it just looks like more communication errors happen. Luckily for the defensive backs, the defensive line came to play on this one. This is a… pic.twitter.com/099qcbTUQj
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
Milton Williams gets the sack, but the Eagles’ pass rush is about Jalen Carter. He’s a superstar. I am a little concerned about how reliant the Eagles are on Carter, but I appreciate that all teams are reliant on their superstars to some extent. Carter makes everyone on the defensive line look better because he constantly takes on double teams. Sometimes, two offensive linemen aren’t enough to stop Carter.
11) We will end this week with a Milton Williams sack, but this play is all about Jalen Carter. His one arm club move blows past the double team with ease.
The Eagles pass coverage is excellent here too. The Rams’ offense is good and it was so impressive to see Fangio & this… pic.twitter.com/vTQJVSiIZU
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024
I’m excited to watch this defense play against a phenomenal Ravens offense. It’s going to be a fascinating game to break down next week. Go Birds!
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here.
