With the Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) heading to Buffalo for Sunday afternoon, the team faces a roster of formidable matchups that could define the rest of their season.
Run Defense vs. James Cook
The Eagles’ run defense has shown resilience after a shaky start. After conceding 281 rushing yards to the Bears on Black Friday, the unit improved to 169 against the Chargers, 46 to the Raiders, and 90 to the Commanders. Those numbers place Philadelphia 21st in the NFL for run defense. Key contributors include Jordan Davis, who performed strongly in Washington, and Nakobe Dean, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Commanders.
James Cook, the league’s leading rusher with 1,532 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a 5.3 yards-per-carry average, is a threat to the Eagles’ front line. In Week 16 against the Browns, Cook logged 117 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 16 carries, including 87 yards after contact. Over the season, he averages 3.6 yards after contact per attempt and leads qualified backs with 1.2 rushing yards over expected per attempt. He also ranks second in explosive runs (10+ yards) with 36.
Vic Fangio vs. Josh Allen
The Eagles’ coaching matchup pits defensive coordinator Vic Fangio against Buffalo’s 29-year-old quarterback Josh Allen, who is again in the MVP conversation. Allen’s 2024 season (17 games) featured a 63.6% completion rate, 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a 101.4 rating. In 2025 (15 games), he improved to a 69.6% completion rate, 3,406 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 103.3 rating.
Allen’s rushing numbers remain consistent: 102 attempts for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, and 105 attempts for 552 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025. Fangio praised Allen’s physical gifts: “Just his size, his speed, his instincts, when it becomes a scramble game, what he can accomplish,” “He’s hard to tackle. He’s so big and elusive. He’s a real dude.”
The Eagles’ offense has struggled against quarterbacks on the ground; they gave up 328 rushing yards to opposing QBs this season, the sixth-most in the NFL. Buffalo’s 2024 figures show 66 yards to Justin Herbert, 66 to Patrick Mahomes, and 58 to Jaxson Dart.
Defensive Line vs. Bills Offensive Line
Buffalo’s offensive line has allowed 35 sacks, ranking 14th in the league, while Allen was pressured on 152 of his 508 dropbacks, a 29.9% pressure rate that sits at 24th. Jalen Carter, who missed the last three games, will return to bolster the Eagles’ front line.
Philadelphia’s defensive line has been solid recently. Inside, Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Byron Young, and Brandon Graham have contributed. On the edge, Nolan Smith, Jaelan Phillips, and Jalyx Hunt form a three-man rotation as the playoffs approach.
Saquon Barkley vs. Bills Run Defense
The Bills’ run defense ranks 11th in yards, 16th in points, and 15th in EPA. They are 30th in yards per game (144.3), 31st in yards per attempt (5.4), and 31st in EPA per rush (+0.08). Buffalo gives up the most yards after contact, averaging 4.10 yards per attempt, the lowest in the NFL. The next team on that list is the Falcons at 3.69.
Barkley and Tank Bigsby have powered the Eagles to over 200 rushing yards in Week 16, the second time all season. The Bills’ high yards after contact figure could be a vulnerability the Eagles aim to exploit.
Jalen Hurts vs. Bills Pass Defense
Buffalo’s pass defense is the league’s No. 2-ranked unit, surrendering only 167.1 yards per game. The Bills’ performance against top receivers in the last four games was:
- Week 13: DK Metcalf – 3 catches, 32 yards
- Week 14: Ja’Marr Chase – 5 catches, 44 yards
- Week 15: Stefon Diggs – 3 catches, 26 yards
- Week 16: Jerry Jeudy – 3 catches, 12 yards
Philadelphia’s offense has been uneven, but recent weeks have seen improved efficiency. A.J. Brown is at 935 yards, and DeVonta Smith at 931 yards, both approaching the 1,000-yard milestone.
Fred Johnson vs. Greg Rousseau
With Lane Johnson out on a Lisfranc sprain, the Eagles have gone 2-3 in the five games he missed. Fred Johnson has performed solidly, giving up only 1 sack and 7 pressures in those games, according to PFF. The Bills have recorded 34 sacks this season, ranking 18th, and a 35.2% pressure rate, 14th in the league. Greg Rousseau leads the Bills with 6.5 sacks and 48 pressures and lines up on the defensive left, setting up a matchup against Johnson. On the other side, Joey Bosa will face Jordan Mailata.
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles’ run defense has tightened, ranking 21st, but faces a potent rusher in James Cook.
- Vic Fangio will test Josh Allen’s dual threat, with Allen’s rushing numbers matching last year.
- Buffalo’s pass defense is elite, but the Eagles’ offense has shown recent improvement.
The Sunday showdown in Buffalo will test the Eagles on multiple fronts: a stout run defense against a prolific rusher, a seasoned defense against a dynamic quarterback, and an offense looking to rebound from recent struggles. Success will hinge on how well Philadelphia can limit the Bills’ explosive plays on both sides of the ball.
