The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense has a new rally cry, and it’s coming from the youngest linebacker on the roster.
The “Cho-Cho-O” Moment
After a painful patellar tendon tear in the playoffs against the Packers, 25-year-old Nakobe Dean made a dramatic return in Week 7. When he first forced a tackle, he mimicked a train whistle-right arm bent, a quick pull-creating what teammates now call the “choo-choo” celebration. “I don’t know where it came from,” Dean said, “but when I got the tackle, I did it and it just kind of stuck with me.” Linebacker Zack Baun praised the move, saying, “I love that celebration. I said that’s gotta be this year’s defensive celebration. He’s of course like, ‘Yeah, let’s make it happen.’ If he keeps making plays like he’s making, it’ll definitely pick up.”
A Faster-Than-Expected Comeback
Dean began the season on the PUP list but was activated for Week 6 and saw his first defensive action in Week 7, the game he calls his real return. In the eight games since rejoining the lineup, he has amassed a career-best four sacks, six quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 53 total tackles. His performance has outpaced his 2024 output, and teammates note his “unbelievable level” of aggression. Jordan Davis echoed this sentiment: “Come on, man! Come on! Anywhere I’m on the field, he does that, I’m pulling that chain, man. Stop playing! I’m a huge fan, man. Nakobe is balling out at an unbelievable level.” Davis added, “He has a chip on his shoulder and if y’all knew the stories that he has and the way that he plays and the edge that he plays with, y’all would understand the type of person that he is, the mentality that he has playing the game.”
Under-Center Strategy Pays Off
The Eagles’ Week 15 win over the Raiders was a showcase of a new offensive philosophy. Philadelphia ran 30 of its 66 plays under-center-more than the season high of 21-producing 24 runs and six passes for 175 yards. Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 4-for-4 from under-center for 66 yards. Head coach Nick Sirianni praised the versatility: “I think he can be very successful and efficient any way he needs to go and play… Whether that’s the gun, whether that’s in pistol, whether that’s under-center, he’s shown the fact that the ability to be able to win and be efficient with everything from all different levels…” The team plans to continue leaning into the under-center attack.
Short Weeks, Big Adjustments
The Eagles have played on almost every day of the week this season, including a rare Saturday game against the Commanders. Sirianni acknowledged the strain: “That’s life in the NFL, especially for a team that’s had the success that we’ve had… Like everything, whether you’re on a short week, long week, you have these processes that you go through and you constantly tweak them and try to make- I love our short week schedule right now.” He added, “I always want the players to get the rest that they need because we can do all the schedule stuff we want. Their bodies are still coming off of a short week. Our strength and conditioning staff, our doctors, our trainers, they do a great job. We’re all in this growth mindset and that’s something where we all have to think that way.”
Defensive Depth and Usage
Defensive end Nolan Smith returned from a five-game IR stint after a triceps tear. Coordinator Vic Fangio said, “Yeah, I don’t think the pitch counts there anymore. We’ve been rolling him, Jaylx Hunt and JP Jaelan Phillips. I think every week he gets a little better.” Since his return, Smith’s snap percentages have risen from 27.9% in Week 10 to 61.9% in Week 15. In the last four games, he recorded two sacks, four quarterback hits and 16 pressures, indicating a potential surge in production.
Running Game Reality Check
Running back Saquon Barkley, a key offensive contributor, reflected on his negative runs: “That was a knock on me coming out of college… People think that I’m back there every single time trying to score a touchdown, which I am… It’s helpful when you’re able to get positive runs and get those 3s and 4s, that sets up stuff later down the road.” Barkley’s 38 negative runs this season lead the league, a number he hopes to reduce. He noted, “If I can make that into a 2 or 3, that’s helpful because that keeps us above the sticks and it makes play-calling a lot easier.”
Key Takeaways
- Nakobe Dean’s “choo-choo” celebration has become a rallying point for the Eagles’ defense.
- Dean’s return has yielded a career-best eight-game stat line, including four sacks and 53 tackles.
- Philadelphia’s increased use of under-center plays produced a dominant Week 15 offensive performance.
- Short weeks are being managed with a focus on rest and a growth mindset from coaching staff.
- Defensive depth has expanded with Nolan Smith’s improved snap counts and potential impact.
The Eagles’ blend of individual resurgence and strategic adjustments suggests a team ready to build momentum as the season progresses.
Key Takeaways
- Nakobe Dean’s “choo-choo” celebration has become a rallying point for the Eagles’ defense.
- Dean’s return has yielded a career-best eight-game stat line, including four sacks and 53 tackles.
- Philadelphia’s increased use of under-center plays produced a dominant Week 15 offensive performance.
- Short weeks are being managed with a focus on rest and a growth mindset from coaching staff.
- Defensive depth has expanded with Nolan Smith’s improved snap counts and potential impact.
The Eagles’ blend of individual resurgence and strategic adjustments suggests a team ready to build momentum as the season progresses.
