The Eagles defense always has, and always will, revolve around the pass rush.
That reality was very much on display on Sunday in the Eagles' 22-14 win over the Chicago Bears.
In what felt like the culmination of improved play each week, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and defensive end Brandon Graham had perhaps their best games of the season in the Eagles' victory, playing the lead roles in a defense that for most of the game completely suffocated and dominated the Bears' offense.
"It's not easy when there is that much pressure. It's a credit to them up front," Bears coach Matt Nagy said after the game. "I was here when the Eagles drafted [DT] Fletcher Cox and [DE] Brandon Graham. Those are two really, really good football players and they showed it today."
It is no secret that Cox has gotten off to an uncharacteristically slow start to this season, the result of missing the entire offseason due to foot surgery. The last few weeks, however, he has started to look more-and-more like the dominant player he was in 2018.
On Sunday, it didn't take very long for Cox to make it crystal clear he was going to make it a long day for Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
"Boy, we both were out there hype. I was like, 'Boy, you are on because you hit the quarterback on the first pass rush.' That's Fletch being Fletch," Graham said. "I'm glad Fletch [is] back at it."
Cox's improved play has made each member of the defensive line better. Although he didn't notch a sack of his own on Sunday, he was without question the best pass rusher on the field, and his dominance in the middle was huge in helping the defensive ends get pressure from the edges.
"It helps us a lot. You need that push in the middle," Graham said. "He's getting all the attention and I'm getting one-on-ones, so I have to make sure that I win my matchups."
Winning his matchups is something Graham has been doing plenty of so far this season, but especially recently. Graham brought down Trubisky on the Bears' second drive of the game, putting them immediately behind the chain and into a 2nd-and-14 situation. The sack was his sixth in the Eagles last five games, and now nine games in, Graham is on his way to having the best season of his career.
For as much attention and blame as the secondary has gotten, the truth is that this defense has struggled when the defensive line hasn't made an impact. General manager Howie Roseman built this defense around the line, and when they have played up to their potential, the defense has been just fine, no matter who is at cornerback.
The play of Cox and Graham over the last two weeks have proved that. The defense is allowing an average of only 13.5 points while remaining dominant against the run, as they have now allowed only two of their nine opponents this season to top 100 yards on the ground.
With a 5-4 record, the Eagles have managed to survive an ugly start to the season. Now that the second half is set to begin, following their Bye Week, the team can enter it feeling very confident about how their defense line is playing — with Cox and Graham leading the way.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
