Eagles Defense Dominates as They Shut Down Goff and the Lions
In a spirited matchup on November 16, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense delivered an impressive performance, stifling Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions. The Eagles triumphed 16-9, a victory that significantly boosts their playoff prospects.
Eagles Defense Shuts Down Goff and the Lions
Philadelphia’s defensive unit made a strong statement. They pressured Goff relentlessly, resulting in a dismal 38% completion rate, the lowest for any quarterback this season. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis expressed pride in the team’s physicality, emphasizing their strategy to dominate the game.
Key Defensive Metrics
- Goff faced pressure 20 times during the game.
- He absorbed seven quarterback hits.
- During high-pressure situations, Goff was 0 for 12, marking his second-highest incompletions under duress in his career.
Davis credited diligent preparation for their success, including tape study that informed their game plan. The Eagles practiced specific drills to simulate batted passes, which paid off significantly. Davis alone had three batted passes, contributing to a crucial interception by Cooper DeJean.
Key Players
- Jordan Davis: Key player with three batted passes.
- Jalen Carter: Contributed two batted passes.
- Jaelan Phillips: Acquired from Miami, had six pressures and one sack.
Phillips’ impact was notable since joining the team. His addition has been instrumental in the Eagles holding both the Green Bay Packers and Lions to a combined 16 points over the last two weeks. This marks the first instance since Weeks 2-3 of the 2022 season that the Eagles have restricted two consecutive opponents to under 10 points.
Offensive Struggles and Future Outlook
Despite the defensive success, the Eagles’ offense has struggled, scoring just 26 points in the last two games—their lowest output since 1997. Coach Nick Sirianni noted the team’s resilience, stating they are focused on winning rather than waiting to lose. This sentiment is crucial as they continue to maintain a strong position in the conference standings.
Currently, the Eagles hold an 8-2 record and boast a 47% chance of securing the top seed in the NFC. A loss would have dramatically decreased those chances to only 17%.
As the season progresses, the Eagles will need to improve their offensive output while relying on their formidable defense. The next few games will be critical as they aim to solidify their playoff positioning.
