The Philadelphia Eagles have flown out of the gate in the 2025 season with a commanding 4-1 record, but a worrying statistic has emerged that should have fans questioning the sustainability of their success.
Despite the sparkling win-loss record, the Eagles' defence has suffered a dramatic, concerning decline against the run, an issue that threatens to derail their campaign when they face elite running teams.
Once a famously dominant run-stopping unit, the Eagles' ability to hold the line has collapsed, pushing them towards the bottom of the league in a foundational area of their defence.
The stark reality of the run defence collapse
This unit, which was historically ranked in the top 10, is now ranked 22nd in the NFL, conceding an average of 126.8 rushing yards per game this season.
This sharp decline is especially shocking given the team's recent commitment to investing heavily in the defensive line.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
The unit was supposed to be the strength of the defence, but the numbers show a vulnerability that opponents are beginning to exploit.
Furthermore, the Eagles are allowing opponents to average over 4.7 yards per carry, putting them in the bottom third of the league.
If this trend continues, the vaunted Eagles defence will become a liability in the face of a playoff push.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Why the Eagles need to fix this problem now
The struggles in run defence are a major concern for coach Vic Fangio and his defensive unit.
Historically, the Eagles have always been a physically dominant team built from the trenches outwards.
MORE: NFL Game Pass in UK: Price and more to know to watch every football game in 2025 season live on DAZN
The failure to stop the run forces the defensive coordinator to commit extra players into the box, leaving the secondary more exposed to big plays.
While the Eagles' offence has performed well in the red zone, the lack of pressure from the defensive line means that the opposing offence is given too much time to sustain drives.
Unless the run defence is fixed, the Eagles will struggle to compete against the strongest teams in the league, regardless of their current 4-1 record.
More Eagles news:
- Philadelphia sports losses: Inside city's painful night as Eagles, Phillies, Flyers all lose
- AJ Brown stats: Why Eagles star WR's usage has been controversial topic in Philadelphia
- Is Quinyon Mitchell injured? Latest on star Eagles CB