With their back up against the wall, the Eagles must find a way to fix and help their secondary
13 November 2018 Uncategorized
Coming up this Sunday for the Eagles, they are up against a very hot New Orleans Saints team that is a contender for the best team not just in the NFC, but the whole NFL. With their backs up against the wall, the Eagles go to New Orleans desperate for a win. But, secondary concerns plague them and they are already clinging to life in the NFC.
Hopefully Sidney Jones will return this week as the Eagles are just left with cornerbacks Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox, Chandon Sullivan and Cre’Von LeBlanc. This group is a bunch of players who have just not seen the field often enough to play at a high level and against a team as good as the Saints, that might be a big problem.
The Saints have the seventh best passing attack, averaging 287 yards a game. Quarterback Drew Brees is playing arguably his football. He has thrown for 2,601 yards, 21 touchdowns and just one interception.
With the Eagles depleted secondary, Brees having a big day is a cause for concern. If Jones is able to play, it’s realistic to think he’ll play outside and they’ll keep Maddox in the slot. This is definitely a stronger look for the Eagles secondary, as they also have Douglas outside. Then that puts less pressure on Sullivan and LeBlanc.
But, unlike last week, the Eagles are going to need to step up the play on the defensive line. Yes, the secondary isn’t good, but they aren’t getting much help. Rushing the quarterback will only help them out. The Eagles defensive line was suppose to be a strength and going forward, they need to play like it. A good pass rush will force quarterbacks to make quicker decisions. It’s not just important, it’s a dire need, the Eagles need to pressure the quarterback and that’ll help the secondary and hopefully give them confidence after they make a play or two.
So yes, the secondary is a big cause for concern, but there’s also ways the Eagles can help them out. Injuries have been killer for the Eagles this season and the secondary hasn’t been able to overcome those injuries. Against the Saints, If there’s any hope of winning, the Eagles need to play better up front and the secondary needs to bounce back.
Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Ryan Neal Avonte Maddox, Chandon Sullivan, Cre’Von LeBlanc, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Rasul Douglas, Sidney Jones