Eagles have defended top receivers well, and Packers rookie Christian Watson is the next challenge

It’s a passing league and the Eagles have won nine of their first 10 games largely by limiting the damage inflicted by opponents through the air. The Birds enter Week 12 in the top five in fewest passing yards allowed and fewest touchdown passes allowed, and they had a league-best 13 interceptions.

The Packers may be limping along at 4-7, but they feel like they’ve found a glimmer of hope in Christian Watson. The rookie has caught five touchdown passes the last two weeks, which is as many as the Eagles have given up in the last six games. Here’s a closer look.

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The Eagles, with one notable exception, have done an admirable job clamping down on opposing top receivers. Other than Washington’s Terry McLaurin (twice), no receiver has more than 78 yards against the Birds. Here is how WR1s have fared against the Eagles, and who is left on the schedule.

Week 1 — at Detroit, Amon-Ra St. Brown 12 targets, 8 rec., 64 yards, 1 TD

Week 2 — vs. Minnesota, Justin Jefferson, 12 targets, 6 rec., 48 yards, 0 TD

Week 3 — at Washington, Terry McLaurin, 9 targets, 6 rec., 102 yards, 0 TD

Week 4 — vs. Jacksonville, Christian Kirk, 9 targets, 2 rec., 60 yards, 0 TD

Week 5 — at Arizona, Marquise Brown, 10 targets, 8 rec., 78 yards, 1 TD

Week 6 — vs. Dallas, CeeDee Lamb, 10 targets, 5 rec., 68 yards, 0 TD

Week 8 — vs. Pittsburgh, Dionte Johnson, 9 targets, 5 rec., 35 yards, 0 TD

Week 9 — at Houston, Chris Moore, 5 targets, 4 rec., 43 yards, 1 TD

Week 10 — vs. Washington, McLaurin, 11 targets, 8 rec., 128 yards, 0 TD

Week 11 — at Indianapolis, Michael Pittman, 7 targets, 6 rec., 75 yards, 0 TD

Notes: The Eagles had a bye in Week 7. … Top wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona, suspended) and Brandin Cooks (Houston, disgruntled) did not play against the Eagles.

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Week 12 — vs. Green Bay, Watson. After a dreadful start, the second-round pick out of North Dakota State had three touchdown receptions against Dallas in Week 10 and two more last Thursday against Tennessee.

Week 13 — vs. Tennessee, Treylon Burks. Robert Woods has the most targets, but that’s only because Burks missed four games with a turf toe injury. He still hasn’t scored a touchdown, but Burks had his first 100-yard game in the Week 11 win at Green Bay. The Titans used a first-round pick on Burks to help replace A.J. Brown.

Week 14 — at N.Y. Giants, Darius Slayton. The Giants’ WR situation is a mess. Three wide receivers have caught touchdowns this season. Two of them — Sterling Shepard and now Wan’Dale Robinson — are out for the season with torn ACLs. The Giants and Cowboys seem to be the front-runners for free agent Odell Beckham Jr., who turned 30 earlier this month.

Week 15 — at Chicago, Darnell Mooney. He’s had more than 70 yards just once this season. The real threat is Cole Kmet, whose five touchdown catches (all coming in Weeks 8-10) is tied for second among tight ends.

Week 16 — at Dallas, CeeDee Lamb. The first time the Eagles saw the Cowboys, Cooper Rush was quarterbacking. Dallas is 3-1 since Dak Prescott returned; the only loss coming in overtime at Green Bay. Lamb had 11 catches for 150 yards and two TDs that day.

Week 17 — vs. New Orleans, Chris Olave. Has three 100-yard games and made the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey, an All-Pro the last two years, look pedestrian on a 53-yard score last week. Olave is for real, and his numbers would be better with a better QB.

Week 18 — vs. N.Y. Giants. The Kenny Golladay signing is to New York what DeMarco Murray is to Philadelphia. Has four catches in six games. His decline has been stunning.

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Where the Eagles rank in various pass-defense categories entering Week 12.

1. Dallas, 174.5

2. Eagles, 178.4

1. Eagles, 69.9

2. New England, 74.0

1. New England, 55.7

4. Eagles, 59.7

1. Denver, 8

T5. Eagles, 10

T1. Eagles, 13

T1. Buffalo, 13

1. Jacksonville, 61

4. Eagles, 55

1. Denver, 9.4

2. Eagles, 9.6

1. Dallas, 42

3. Eagles, 33

Inquirer Eagles beat reporters EJ Smith and Josh Tolentino preview the team’s Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers. Watch at Inquirer.com/EaglesGameday