At a Glance
- Eagles defense allowed 12 points to the Bills in Week 17.
- Since the bye week, the squad is the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense (average 14.5 points allowed per game).
- The Eagles sacked Josh Allen five times, the second-most in the Bills’ season.
- Why it matters: The defense’s elite performance and growth of young talent position Philadelphia for a deep playoff run.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense showcased a masterful performance in Sunday’s Week 17 showdown against the Buffalo Bills, limiting the high-scoring offense to just 12 points and securing five sacks on MVP Josh Allen.
Dominant Week 17 Performance
The Eagles’ unit stayed on top of its game, allowing fewer than 24 points in every matchup since Week 6 and giving up an average of 14.5 points per game since the bye week.
- 12 points allowed to the Bills
- 5 sacks on Josh Allen
- 2 pressures and a blocked PAT try by Jalen Carter
- 7 tackles and a fumble recovery by rookie Jihaad Campbell
Growth and Youth
Vic Fangio praised the team’s development, saying:
Vic Fangio stated:
> “I think we’ve grown from week-to-week, which is what you want.”
Vic Fangio continued:
> “Particularly if you have a bunch of young guys, which we still do. We’re in the stage of guys can get better and better and better. Even our veteran-type players, outside of Brandon Graham, I would guess you would say they’re still in the growing stage.”
Fangio noted that the young talent’s improvement keeps the defense sharp and ready for postseason play.
Key Players Return
Jalen Carter returned after missing three games with shoulder shots and immediately made an impact, recording two pressures, a sack, a batted pass, and a blocked PAT try.
Vic Fangio commented on Carter’s comeback:
> “I thought he played well. I really didn’t know how he would play because he missed three games and didn’t practice until this past week during that time. I think he’s off to a good start and hopefully he’ll build on that and play good down the stretch here and into the playoffs.”
Emerging Talent
Rookie Jihaad Campbell stepped in for an injured Nakobe Dean, starting his first game since Week 8 and contributing seven tackles and a fumble recovery.
Vic Fangio praised the rookie:
> “Yeah, I thought he did good. Obviously, there’s plays he’d like to have back and do over, but we don’t get mulligans. But I do think it will help him moving forward if he has to play again this week for Nakobe and then if he has to be called upon in the playoff game.”
Stunt Strategy
The defensive line executed a successful T-E stunt, earning one of the five sacks on Allen.
Vic Fangio explained the approach:
> “The front dictates it. Some of those stunts, I call. Some of them, based upon what front I call, they have the freedom to run a stunt under the guidelines we give them.”
| Metric | Week 17 vs. Bills | Season Average |
|---|---|---|
| Points Allowed | 12 | 14.5 |
| Sacks | 5 | 3.2 |
| Pressures | 2 | 1.8 |
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles’ defense remains the league’s best in scoring defense.
- Young players and returning stars are driving the team’s success.
- Strategic stunts and disciplined play are key to future playoff performance.
With a dominant Week 17 showing and a roster that continues to mature, the Eagles’ defense looks ready to carry the team deep into the postseason.
