Eagles Defense Dominates Goff, Secures 16-9 Victory Over Lions

The Philadelphia Eagles showcased a commanding defensive performance on November 5, 2023, defeating the Detroit Lions 16-9. The Eagles’ defense effectively neutralized quarterback Jared Goff, limiting the normally explosive Lions offense and reinforcing Philadelphia’s position in the NFC playoff race.

Defensive tackle Jordan Davis emphasized the team’s preparation, stating, “We talked about it all week, going out there, being physical, playing our style of game.” Davis’ efforts were instrumental, as he recorded three batted passes, one of which led to an interception by Cooper DeJean. His former teammate, Jalen Carter, also contributed with two batted passes, highlighting a collective effort to disrupt Goff’s rhythm.

The Eagles’ game plan centered around exploiting Goff’s throwing technique, which allowed them to anticipate opportunities for batted passes. Davis noted that the team had dedicated drills aimed at simulating this scenario during the week leading up to the game. The results were telling, as Goff completed just 38% of his passes—the lowest completion rate for any quarterback this season—while facing relentless pressure. He was pressured 20 times and suffered seven quarterback hits throughout the game.

“Just little stuff like [batted passes] messes with a QB’s mind,” Davis explained. “Fortunately for us, we made it very hard on him, from the pressures to the batted balls to everything.” Goff’s struggles were evident, as he failed to complete any of his 12 attempts when under duress, marking one of the lowest performances of his career.

The Eagles’ defense excelled in crucial moments, particularly on fourth down, where the Lions failed to convert on all five attempts. This trend turned coach Dan Campbell‘s aggressive strategy against his team, as the Eagles capitalized on every opportunity to halt Detroit’s progress.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts praised the defensive effort, stating, “The defense was playing lights out; it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.” He acknowledged the challenge posed by the Lions, who are recognized for their offensive capabilities.

Over the past two weeks, the Eagles have held two NFC contenders, the Green Bay Packers and Lions, to a total of 16 points. This marks the first time since Weeks 2-3 of the 2022 season that Philadelphia has managed to keep back-to-back opponents under 10 points. The addition of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, acquired from the Miami Dolphins before the trade deadline, has significantly bolstered the defensive line. Phillips proved effective in his second game with the Eagles, registering six pressures and a sack against the Lions.

“The way he plays, the physicality he brings,” linebacker Nakobe Dean said of Phillips, highlighting his immediate impact on the team’s performance.

Although the Eagles’ offense has faced challenges, scoring only 26 points over the last two games—the fewest for Philadelphia during a two-game winning streak since 1997—their defense has risen to the occasion. This latest victory brings their record to 8-2, significantly improving their playoff positioning. According to ESPN Analytics, the Eagles now hold a 47% chance of claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a drastic increase from 17% had they lost.

Head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the team’s winning mentality, stating, “As I watched football today, I feel like I saw a lot of teams waiting to lose. Our team’s waiting to win because they know how to win.” This confidence and determination have propelled the Eagles into a strong position as they look toward the remainder of the season.