Best defense 🦅 | Sports Daily Newsletter

As many of you pointed out in Tuesday’s reader response question, the Eagles defense is certainly the biggest improvement compared to years past.

Right now, they’re the best in the NFL, yielding an average of 275.6 yards per game and tied for first in scoring at 17.6 points per game. In their last six games, they’ve held opponents to 20 points or less.

And part of that stellar play has to do with the growth of younger players, including second-year outside linebacker Nolan Smith, who’s been a force against the run and the pass.

Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2023 first-round draft pick out of Georgia played the highest defensive snap percentage of his career and filled out just about every category on the stat sheet.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says Smith might be an undersized player for his position, but he’s come to “embrace the challenges” and it’s paying off, writes Olivia Reiner.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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While there may have been concern about the Eagles offense last week, Jalen Hurts made sure to put those questions to rest on Sunday. One week removed from one of his worst performances of the season, Hurts had one of his best in a 27-13 win over the Steelers. He finished 25-for-32 for 290 passing yards and two touchdowns. EJ Smith breaks down the film, detailing how Hurts and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore turned the passing game around.

Paul George is starting to look like his old self, a six-time All-NBA selection. In the Sixers’ victory over the Charolette Hornets on Monday night, the 34-year-old scored a season-high 33 points on 13-for-20 shooting — including 6 of 9 on three-pointers. “I’m finally getting comfortable,” George said.

The saying once went “When you have two goalies, you have none.” That idea has gone by the wayside in recent years with more and more teams shifting to a two-goalie system. But what about when you have three goalies?

Herein lies the Flyers’ predicament between the pipes. The Flyers have what they believe to be their No. 1 in Sam Ersson and two goalies competing for the backup job in Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov. John Tortorella recently revealed that Kolosov, 22, is the new backup, and the Belarusian’s recent numbers — 2.20 goals against average and 9.16 save percentage in his last five starts — back that up.

But where does that leave the 28-year-old Fedotov? Given that they are a skater short while carrying three goalies, the Flyers have a looming decision to make on Fedotov, with the added caveat that he’s not waiver-exempt.

Tina Sloan Green is a former Temple coach who broke several barriers in field hockey and lacrosse. She was the first Black athlete named to the national field hockey team and also was the first Black athlete on the national lacrosse team. Now, Green, 80, will receive the Theodore Roosevelt Award by the NCAA for her lifelong commitment to creating opportunities in athletics.

Who holds the Eagles’ record for touchdown passes in a season?

D) Carson Wentz with 33 in only 13 games in 2017. Gary W. was first with the correct answer.

We asked you: What has been more impressive for the Eagles, the offense or the defense? Among your responses:

What a defensive turnaround from a year ago!!! Led by Vic Fangio, a man who forgot more about football than last season’s incompetent coordinators put together. His schemes and adjustments have been excellent in leading to the number 1 ranked defense. Howie season retooled the lineup to blend young (rookies playing like all pros at corner), hungry vets like Zach Braun and CJ Gardner & added new coaching staff that continues to develop Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and supporting cast. They will be the reason we win the Super Bowl. — Tom E.

The defense. The defense has shut down some good to very good quarterbacks this year. Joe Burrow and Mathew Stafford are just two examples of their dominance. — Nick B.

Defense — all those Georgia draft picks are paying off. The results are starting to look like the 2021 Georgia national championship defense. — Richard V.

With apologies to Coach Moore, it is Coach Fangio’s defense that excels right now. The offense is very good, but the Eagles lead in most defensive stats. Eagles lead in fewest points allowed, are 7th in fewest yards allowed, 1st in fewest passing yards allowed, and 1st in total yards allowed. On the offensive side, the Eagles are 6th in total yards gained, 1st of course in rushing yards, but way down in passing yards, and 9th in most points scored. They are far down in most passing stats, but are 6th in passing yard average, and 7th in completion percentage. With the emphasis on rushing A.J. and DaVonta are tied at 35th for most receptions so I guess we can’t blame them for being a little frustrated. But winning is what counts not individual stats. — Everett S.

The Eagles defense was a bend but don’t break kind of team. With the addition of the rookies and Jalen Carter, the defense has taken on a new level of competence. Fly Eagles Fly! — Virgil K.

My dead friend told me that “defense wins games offense sells tickets!” I think he’s right!! Defense is unstoppable!!! Jalen is at his best! We’re going to the super bowl no doubt. — Jill L.

Defense gets the higher “grade”. A large number of young veterans replacing retired players and players leaving the franchise. Rookies either starting or being available for depth and development. Two of those rookies in the defensive backfield are playing well enough to be in the “rookies of the year” conversation. This year’s defense is light years improved. It is in the conversation for the best defense in the NFL. Finally, but not last to be appreciated, the coaching staff and Personnel Department should be appreciated as highly as the players themselves. Grade A+ Please also note, the offense and coaching staff’s grade is an “A” also. Because the “O” has more veterans... if a “tie” is not acceptable, the + goes to the “D”. — Allan B.

I’m most impressed with the Eagles “D!” The offense has been loaded with studs and stars throughout, but the 2023 defense had several major holes in the secondary and linebacker corp. and a line that wasn’t playing up to their level of talent and expectations. Under the tutelage of Vic Fangio, the young D-line is gelling, the linebacker corp. has been rebuilt and is very productive, and the 2024 first and second round draft choices appear to be long-term solutions to the secondary. As a Top-3 defense in the NFL through Week #15, this is truly IMPRESSIVE! — Jim V.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Olivia Reiner, EJ Smith, Keith Pompey, Aaron Carter, Lochlahn March, Devin Jackson, Isabella DiAmore, Owen Hewitt, and Sam O’Neal.

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Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful Wednesday, Kerith will be on the controls tomorrow. — Bella