The Eagles added Haason Reddick and several other weapons this summer, and on paper, the Birds’ roster looked like a potential top-10 defense.
The secondary made plays on Sunday, and the Birds got some pressure on Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
Overall, Philadelphia’s run defense was gashed for 181-yards on the ground while only sacking the Detroit quarterback once.
Considering the Eagles sacked Goff six times in 2021 with far less talent, Sunday’s defensive showing was disappointing and could be a cause for concern. Philadelphia created some early pressure on Goff by blitzing more in the first half, but Gannon put the breaks on any attacking in the second half, and the Eagles ended up fighting to hold on.
Goff was sacked once on the afternoon, and Detroit was without two starters on the offensive line and had an injured center.
Lions running back D’Andre Swift was electric on the day, rushing for 144-yards on 15 carries and a 9.6 yards per average.
Goff completed passes to seven different receivers and had a similar QBR to Eagles star Jalen Hurts on the afternoon.
It’s only one game, and Gannon adjusted well last season.
Still, the Eagles will have to approach the defensive side of the football more urgently, especially against the lower-tiered quarterbacks around the league.
