PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Injuries have ravished the Eagles once again this season, but one area that has been spared is the defensive line.
The Eagles picked up their first victory of the season last Sunday in San Francisco, where one of the big reasons for the win was the work of the men in the trenches.
The defensive line came up with an impressive performance and defensive end Brandon Graham believes everything is starting to click for the defensive front.
"It’s a lot of guys that’s working good together," said Graham. "It’s on us taking it to another gear and by what we do already and what we’re doing every day. I don’t see it stopping unless we do it ourselves."
Fletcher Cox is making an impact despite dealing with an injury, and the likes of Malik Jackson and Javon Hargrave have fortified the middle of the line.
Graham and Josh Sweat have been a big factor on the outside rush in recent weeks and the Eagles once again have plenty of depth at the position.
Jackson said the ability to rotate so many lineman is keeping everybody fresh for the fourth quarter.
"It's not like that everywhere," Jackson said. "Everybody gets to eat. This isn't a one-man show. We've got four good rushers.”
The Eagles may have some inside information this week.
Hargrave came to the Eagles in the off season after spending time in Pittsburgh. He went through his share of practices against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and while he wasn't allowed to hit "Big Ben" when he was a teammate, he will finally get a chance to bring down the Steelers' signal caller on Sunday.
"We never got a chance to touch Ben," said Hargrave. "Ben's forbidden to touch over there in Pittsburgh. You get close to '7,' you're in trouble. I just look forward to trying to finally being able to touch him and bring him down."
It's not just Roethlisberger who will present problems for the defense line.
The Steelers also have a strong stable of running backs who are capable of breaking the game open. If the Eagles can shut down the run, then Graham and his teammates will get their shots at Roethlisberger.
"He’s not nervous at all," Graham said. "He looks real calm when he’s moving around. He likes to sidestep. I mean, he’s really good in the pocket, and he can make all the throws. We 've got to make sure we at least disrupt him first."