Eagles’ Defense Dominates Goff, Secures 16-9 Victory Over Lions

The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense delivered a commanding performance on November 5, 2023, shutting down quarterback Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions in a 16-9 victory. This win boosts the Eagles’ playoff prospects, enhancing their chances to secure the top seed in the NFC.

Eagles’ defensive tackle Jordan Davis emphasized the team’s physical approach throughout the week leading up to the game. “We talked about it all week, going out there, being physical, playing our style of game,” Davis stated. “They’ve got to come through us. They’ve got to come through Philly if they want to advance.” His performance included three batted passes, one of which led to an interception by Cooper DeJean. Fellow Georgia teammate Jalen Carter also contributed with two batted passes.

The Eagles’ defense was well-prepared, having studied Goff’s throwing angles. According to Davis, the team implemented dedicated drills to practice deflecting passes, which proved effective. Goff struggled significantly, completing only 38% of his throws, the lowest completion rate for any quarterback this season. He faced pressure 20 times and endured seven hits during the game.

“Just little stuff like [batted passes] messes with a QB’s mind, messes with his mindset, how he passes the ball, and it showed in the game,” Davis noted. Goff’s performance under duress was particularly poor, going 0-for-12 passing, marking one of the lowest completions in his career under pressure. The last quarterback to finish with 12 attempts and no completions while under duress was Blake Bortles in 2017.

The Eagles’ defense was particularly effective in high-stakes situations, as the Lions converted none of their five fourth-down attempts. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts praised the defensive effort, calling it “one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.” He highlighted the significance of limiting a potent Lions offense, stating, “To be able to do what they did on fourth down against a really good offense… I have a lot of respect for that.”

Over the last two weeks, the Eagles have held two NFC contenders, the Green Bay Packers and Lions, to a total of just 16 points. This marks the first time since Weeks 2-3 of the 2022 season that Philadelphia has kept back-to-back opponents under 10 points. The addition of defensive edge Jaelan Phillips, acquired from the Miami Dolphins before the November 4 trade deadline, has bolstered their performance. Phillips recorded six pressures and a sack against Detroit, following a strong debut against Green Bay.

“His personality, the way he plays, the physicality he brings,” said linebacker Nakobe Dean regarding Phillips, emphasizing the impact of his arrival on the team.

Despite their defensive triumph, the Eagles’ offense has faced challenges, scoring only 26 points over their last two games. This is their lowest total during a two-game win streak since 1997. Nonetheless, the victory over Detroit improved Philadelphia’s record to 8-2. According to ESPN Analytics, the Eagles now have a 47% chance of claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a significant rise from 17% if they had lost.

Coach Nick Sirianni reflected on his team’s resilience, stating, “I think we take a lot of pride in just winning, period. Our team’s waiting to win because they know how to win.” The Eagles continue to find ways to succeed, solidifying their position as a formidable contender in the NFL.