The Philadelphia Eagles have turned their pass defense into a headline-making story, holding opposing quarterbacks to a league-low 55.9 percent completion rate, the lowest in the NFL by a wide margin.
Dominant Numbers
Through 15 games, the Eagles have allowed just 55.9 percent of opposing passes to be completed, compared with the league average of 64.3 percent. Their opponents have posted a passer rating of only 74.5, far below the league average of 91.6. In addition, the Eagles have limited opponents to 192 passing yards per game, 21 yards fewer than the league average of 213, and have allowed only 13 passing touchdowns, well under the league average of 23.
Historical Context
This season marks the first time since 2001 that the Eagles have allowed a completion percentage below 56 percent and 13 or fewer passing touchdowns through 15 games. It is only the third time the franchise has achieved that combination since 1981. The 55.9 percent figure is the lowest in the league by a wide margin; the Texans are second at 58.6 percent. It is on pace to be the lowest by any NFL team in nine years, since the 2016 Broncos held opposing QBs to 55.4 percent. The last NFC team to allow such a low completion percentage was the 2012 Cardinals.
Four-Game Streaks
The Eagles have held four straight teams to a passer rating below 56: the Bears at 55.8, the Chargers at 54.3, the Raiders at 47.9, and the Commanders at 51.0. This matches the longest streak the franchise has had in 72 years, when they held six teams in a row below 56 in 1953. The only longer streak in the NFL in the last 20 years was the 2019 Patriots, who held six straight teams below 56.
Six-Game and Nine-Game Highlights
Over the last six games, opposing quarterbacks have completed just 50.8 percent of their passes, the best stretch in 17 years. The only other stretch since 1998 where the Eagles held opposing QBs below 51 percent in a six-game span was in 2008, when they held opponents to 50.3 percent. In their last nine games, the Eagles have allowed only six touchdown passes, the fewest in a nine-game span in 25 years. The last time they allowed six or fewer passing TDs and held opponents to 53.7 percent in a nine-game span was in 1995.
Passing Yards and First Downs
The Eagles have allowed just 409 net passing yards against the Bears, Chargers, Raiders and Commanders. That is the second-fewest they have allowed in any four-game stretch since 1959. In 2006 they allowed 377 yards in a four-game stretch. The fewest passing yards allowed by any NFL team in a four-game span since the Patriots gave up 390 in 2021. They have allowed fewer than 150 passing yards in four straight games, the second-longest streak since 1956.
Since Week 5, the Eagles have allowed only eight passing touchdowns in 11 games, the best 11-game stretch since the last 11 games of the 2001 season. The only other 11-game stretch with fewer than nine passing TDs was in 2000, when they allowed seven.
First-Down Dominance
In their last three games, the Eagles have allowed only 16 passing first downs, the fewest in a three-game span since 2006. This is the fewest passing first downs any team has allowed in a game since 2023. It is also the first time since 2006 they have gone three straight games allowing seven or fewer passing first downs. The Eagles have held an NFL-high 12 of 15 teams to 10 or fewer passing first downs, the most in a season since the NFL began tracking rushing and passing first downs in 1999.
Completion Percentage Leaders
Thirteen of the Eagles’ 15 opponents have completed 62 percent or fewer passes, the most in the league. The Broncos held 10 teams to 62 percent or lower. The Eagles are one shy of the most teams held to 62 percent or worse since 1991.
Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia’s pass defense is the most dominant in the NFL, with a 55.9 percent completion rate and 74.5 passer rating allowed.
- The team has posted historic streaks: four straight teams under 56 rating, six games below 51 percent completion, and a nine-game span with only six passing TDs.
- The Eagles’ recent performance includes the fewest passing first downs in a three-game stretch since 2006 and the most teams held to 10 or fewer passing first downs in a season.
The Eagles’ pass defense has not only set franchise records but has also positioned the team as a benchmark for defensive excellence across the league.
