Eagles' Stifling Defense Carries Team Despite Offensive Struggles

As of November 18th, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles are sitting atop the NFC standings thanks to their stifling defense, which has been the driving force behind their 8-2 start to the season. The Eagles' offense, led by Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, has struggled to find its rhythm, with the team often relying on just one touchdown to secure a win.

In their last two games, the Eagles' defense has been the key to victory. They followed up a 10-7 win over the Packers with a 16-9 victory over the Detroit Lions, holding the high-powered Lions offense to their lowest scoring output of the season. Defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis combined to bat down five passes, while edge rusher Jaelan Phillips had a sack and four quarterback pressures.

The Eagles' defense has been so dominant that they have held opponents to single-digit scores in consecutive games for the first time since 2022. They were also the second team in the last 25 years not to allow an opponent to convert on five or more fourth-down attempts, a testament to their stifling play.

While the offense has struggled to find its groove, the Eagles' defense has stepped up to carry the team to victory. As the season progresses, the question remains: how long can the Eagles' defense continue to carry the team before the offense breaks through with some explosive plays?