The Linc – Eagles’ defensive line must step up against the Panthers

Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 10/10/21.

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …

A 6-pack of things to watch vs. Carolina – PE.com
1. The Eagles’ defensive line. Javon Hargrave’s first four games of this season have been dominating. There is just no other way to say it. He has five quarterback sacks, six tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, one forced fumble (caught in the air for a touchdown by Fletcher Cox), and 24 total tackles. Carolina, which will be without starting left tackle Cameron Erving, has some concerns up front and will certainly be aware of Hargrave’s presence on every snap. It’s important that the entire defensive line plays its part and takes control of this game. With running back Christian McCaffrey listed as doubtful because of a hamstring injury, the Eagles understand that a major weapon out of the backfield likely won’t play. Does that mean the defensive line can be more aggressive? Will Jonathan Gannon dial up a blitz package to win against a Carolina running game that will feature rookie Chuba Hubbard if McCaffrey doesn’t play? Cox is looking for his 2021 breakout game and the Eagles need strong games off the edge from Derek Barnett, Josh Sweat, and Ryan Kerrigan. The defensive line has been a strength for the Eagles for so long and Sunday is a moment where the line has a chance to take control and dictate the game from the trenches.

Eagles-Panthers Game Preview: 6 questions and answers with the enemy – BGN
I think the Panthers defense is going to tie Jalen Hurts into knots. Let’s say it’ll be 24-7. He is a relatively inexperienced quarterback (there are a lot of injuries and half seasons on his resume) who is probably feeling the need for a win right about now. The Panthers speed on defense should allow them to disguise coverages and pressure packages in a way that will keep him off of his toes more often than on them. That is, of course, assuming the Panthers secondary looks even mildly competent with all of its replacement parts and the front seven can keep Hurts from running for 200 yards by himself.

Eye On The Enemy #69: Preview of Week 5 game against Panthers – BGN Radio
On the latest episode of Eye On The Enemy, John Stolnis previews the Week 5 game against Panthers. He runs through everything you need to know ahead of Sunday including key matchups, injury reports and players to watch.

NFL Week 5 game picks, schedule guide, fantasy football tips, odds, injuries and more – ESPN
Bold prediction: Panthers QB Sam Darnold’s carriage will turn back into a pumpkin. It’s been quite the Cinderella start for Darnold, who has three games with 300-plus passing yards this season and multiple rushing touchdowns each of the past two games. But his offensive line has been shaky even before the injuries. Carolina ranks 30th with a pass block win rate of 44%, and Darnold has been sacked 11 times, tied for sixth-most. Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have faced sharp criticism after yielding over 850 yards the past two weeks, and each will come with an edge. Darnold will be roughed up and commit multiple turnovers.

Howie Roseman’s big decisions are doing little good for Eagles – Inquirer
In 116 defensive snaps he has just five quarterback pressures — which means, effectively, he’s getting within arm’s reach of the quarterback about once per game. He’s making $2.5 million. He’s not earning it. Kerrigan was supposed to relieve Brandon Graham, a bookend backup with Josh Sweat, who collected 10 sacks as a backup the last two seasons. Last month, Roseman gave Sweat a $40 million extension with almost $27 million guaranteed. In return, Sweat has given Roseman a half-sack and four quarterback pressures. These near-zeros at the defensive end position are amplified by the absence of Graham, who was lost in Game 2 to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Graham’s absence was supposed to amplify their presence. He’s 33. They were his insurance policies. The policies have not paid off.

Can Eagles’ defense bounce back after back-to-back disasters? – NBCSP
They’ve faced two of the NFL’s top offenses and in the process looked like one of the NFL’s worst defenses. After allowing 76 points to the Cowboys and Chiefs, the Eagles’ defense will try to regroup Sunday on the road against the Panthers, who aren’t the Cowboys or Chiefs but still post a formidable challenge. It’s one thing to allow 34 points to Dak Prescott. It’s one thing to allow 42 points to Pat Mahomes. This is Sam Darnold and the Panthers, and the Eagles’ defense has to be better. “We got a beatdown on Sunday, so everybody’s definitely motivated to kind of turn that perspective around and get back to work against Carolina,” said Javon Hargrave, the Eagles’ only decent performer on defense so far.”

Panthers vs Eagles: 3 key players who need to step up – Cat Scratch Reader
C.J. Henderson. It’s a lot to expect a guy who has barely been with the team a week to step up and be someone the secondary can count on, but C.J. Henderson is as naturally talented a corner as they come. The ability is there, but he was clearly a nervous duck on the pond last week against Dallas. We saw him receiving individual instruction every play, and him surrendering a touchdown is something I can forgive under the circumstances (he had good coverage until right at the end). This week, you’d expect that he’ll have at least a moderate understanding of what he ought to do, and truly the offensive weapons for Philadelphia don’t compare to the Cowboys firepower.

The Dallas Cowboys Achilles heel on defense will be tested this week – Blogging The Boys
We’ve all seen Jason Garrett’s offensive scheme, he’s prone to protecting his quarterback Daniel Jones by giving him the easier reads with quick passes in the middle of the field and on the outside to get him in a rhythm. Last week, though, Garrett was more aggressive pushing the ball downfield, that could cause the Cowboys to keep their safeties deeper this week. If that is the case, then that means a lot of crossing routes and slants that the Cowboys linebackers are going to have to be dealing with. Garrett’s going to be looking to create enough traffic in the middle of the field to confuse or freeze the Cowboys linebackers long enough to make plays. The Cowboys safeties will most likely be there to help the linebackers, but this is an area that could cause the Cowboys some headaches this week, especially if the Giants are able to get Barkley going early in the running game.

Sam’s Film Room: What happened to Washington’s defense? – Hogs Haven
In this video, I’m going to answer this question: What happened to Washington’s defense? Is it their ability to stop the run? Is it their pass rush with guys like Chase Young and Montez Sweat? Or is it their pass coverage that is simply not good? In my opinion, it starts with big plays due to miscommunications, poor performances by individual players not playing up to their contracts, and a horrible third down defense.

Big Blue View mailbag: Dave Gettleman, Joe Judge, pass rush, more – Big Blue View
David, I have said this before — I do not think Joe Judge is going anywhere. Whether Dave Gettleman will be the GM next season or not is a legitimate question. I think there is very little chance someone other than Joe Judge is coaching the Giants next season, regardless of what happens with the GM. Giants fans need to accept the idea that these days it is Judge’s vision driving this franchise. That doesn’t mean he has final say on every decision. It just means Judge’s vision is the driving force behind the decisions that get made. Ben McAdoo lasted less than two full seasons as head coach. Pat Shurmur lasted two seasons. John Mara said when Judge was hired that the organization understood they couldn’t keep recycling head coaches every two years, and that with Judge being a young, first-time head coach they were going to have to exercise more patience. As hard as that may be at times, that is exactly what I expect them to do.

Colts Injury Report: RT Smith, DE Paye, CB Ya-Sin and RB Wilkins All Ruled OUT – Stampede Blue
Offensive tackle Braden Smith has been ruled OUT for Monday night. Smith has been dealing with thumb and foot injuries, he picked up against the Seahawks Week 1. This marks the fourth game in a row that Smith will miss. Expect either Davenport or Matt Pryor to start in his place. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin has been ruled OUT for Monday night. Ya-Sin has been dealing with an ankle injury he picked up against the Titans. This will mark the second game in a row Ya-Sin will miss. Expect Isaiah Rodgers to start again in his place.

The NFL keeps giving London the worst games imaginable – SB Nation
London loves the NFL. The NFL loves London’s money. How does this perfect relationship manifest itself? Thousands of voracious, excited football fans descend on converted soccer stadiums, full of hope and promise for the NFL. The NFL, ready and waiting, rewards their loyalty with THE WORST FOOTBALL GAMES IMAGINABLE … EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. Sunday marks perhaps the greatest example of this as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gets the white-hot action of … Jets vs. Falcons. Get hyped, North London, because you’re getting a battle of 1-3 teams! Two top draft picks: Zach Wilson who throws interceptions in bunches, Kyle Pitts who I promise is actually on an NFL roster despite how little he’s targeted.

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