Philadelphia’s pass defense is the talk of the NFL, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 55.9% completion rate, the lowest in the league since 2016.
League-Wide Comparison
Across the league, the Eagles allow an average of 74.5 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, well below the NFL average of 91.6. They also give up 192 passing yards per game, compared to the league’s 213 yards. In terms of touchdowns, the defense has surrendered only 13 passing TDs, a stark contrast to the league average of 23.
Historical Context
This marks the first time since 2001 that Philadelphia has allowed a completion percentage under 56% and 13 or fewer passing touchdowns through 15 games. The last time the Eagles posted such numbers was in 2008, when they held opponents to a 54.1% completion rate. The 2016 Denver Broncos were the most recent team to allow a completion percentage as low as 55.4%.
Streaks and Milestones
Philadelphia has held four consecutive teams to a passer rating below 56: the Bears (55.8), Chargers (54.3), Raiders (47.9), and Commanders (51.0). This ties the longest streak in franchise history, which spanned six teams in 1953. Only the 2019 New England Patriots surpassed this with a six-team streak.
Over the last six games, opposing quarterbacks have completed just 50.8% of their passes, the best six-game stretch in 17 years. The only other time the Eagles held quarterbacks below 51% in a six-game span was in 2008.
In a nine-game stretch, the defense has allowed only six touchdown passes, the fewest in 25 years. The last time a team allowed six or fewer passing TDs in a nine-game span was 1995.
The 74.5 passer rating allowed this season is the lowest since 2008, when the defense surrendered a 72.9 rating. This 17.1-point gap below the league average is the greatest margin since 1981.
The Eagles have also limited opponents to just 409 net passing yards over four games, the second-fewest in any four-game stretch since 1959. They have held five straight teams below 150 net passing yards, the second-longest streak since 1956.
Since Week 5, Philadelphia has allowed only eight passing touchdowns in 11 games, matching the best 11-game stretch since the 2001 season.
In a nine-game period, the Eagles have held seven teams to a passer rating below 70 for the first time in 30 years. The last occurrence was in 1995.
In the most recent three games, the defense has allowed only 16 passing first downs, the fewest in a three-game span since 2006. Philadelphia has also held 12 of 15 opponents to 10 or fewer passing first downs, the highest number in a season since the NFL began tracking the metric in 1999.
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles’ pass defense has posted the lowest completion percentage (55.9%) and passer rating (74.5) in the NFL for 15 games.
- The defense has allowed only 13 passing touchdowns, the fewest in a 15-game span since 2001.
- Philadelphia has held multiple teams to extreme limits-four consecutive passer ratings under 56, five straight teams below 150 net passing yards, and a nine-game stretch of seven teams with ratings below 70.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive unit has proven to be one of the most effective in the league, setting records that have not been seen in nearly two decades. As the season approaches its final weeks, the team’s pass defense remains a cornerstone of its competitive strategy.
