Eagles report card: Grading Philadelphia’s defense at the bye week

The Eagles have reached their bye week with an 8-1 record, the best in the NFL.

Philadelphia is 13th in total defense after being shredded by Washington and Dallas in consecutive weeks.

The Eagles are No. 1 against the run, allowing 66.3 yards per game, while the passing defense is 29th in the league, allowing 257+ yards per game.

With the team getting healthy before a massive rematch against the Chiefs in two weeks, we’re looking at grades for every position at the halfway point and after nine games.

DL--A

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles sacks Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Josh Sweat anchors this deep group with 6 1/2 sacks, 30 QB Hurries, 46 QB Pressures, 16 QB hits, 6 TFLs, and 2 FFs. Stud rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter is the 2nd highest-graded DT in the NFL, fourth in the pass rush grade (87.9), has four quarterback sacks, 29 QB pressures, 20 QB hurries, and he’s a DROY candidate.

Haason Reddick is listed as a linebacker, but he’s one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and has logged 6.5 sacks through 9 weeks.

This unit has been the strength of the Eagles’ defense, with Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, and Milton Williams providing stout run defense on the interior.

LB--B

Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham (52) and cornerback Darius Slay (2) tackle Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) short of the goaline during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Cunningham was a late summer signing and leads this group with 54 tackles, 3 PBUs, 1 QB hit, 2 TFLs, and 1 FR.

Nakobe Dean was injured in Week 1, missed four games on IR, and is now set for another four-game absence. Nicholas Morrow didn’t make the 53-man roster but has a three sack game to his credit.

DB--C

Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) makes a catch past Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (39) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The group has suffered injuries since losing Avante Maddox, compounded by training camp and the situation. Philadelphia added Kevin Byard via trade, and the hope is that rookies Eli Ricks and Sydney Brown will mature and benefit from being thrust into the spotlight early.

Special Teams--B

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Jake Elliott anchors this group, and he’s been the best in the NFL, going 18/20 (90.0%), 5/6 from 50+, and 26/27 on PATs.

Elliott has been named Special Teams Player of the Week twice. And Braden Mann has solidified himself as the punter going forward.

Second-year punt returner Britain Covey is averaging 14.0 yards per return, which ranks fourth in the NFL among qualified players.