The Eagles' offense was expected to be a work in progress under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. The thinking went that the defense could serve as the team's bedrock while the other side of the ball found its way.
With the star-studded cast entering Year 3 under one of the greats in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, this group seemed to have top-five defense written all over it.
It was jarring to watch a projected juggernaut get shredded in real time Monday night, as 38-year-old third-string quarterback Case Keenum completed 71 percent of his passes, threw two touchdowns and ran for another in his first start in 1,009 days, leading the Bears to a 27-7 rout over Philadelphia.
"It just can't happen," Eagles edge Jonathan Greenard said. "We know what the standard is, we know we've got to be better, and we will be better, so I'm not worried."
There is plenty of season left to turn the tide, but with a string of offensive powers coming up, starting with the Los Angeles Rams Sunday (1 pm ET, Fox), this defense finds itself at an early inflection point.
Every unit has a bad day at the office, and Bears coach Ben Johnson has left many a defense soul-searching after an encounter. But the overall numbers through three weeks are less than encouraging.
To start, the Eagles have zero takeaways. It's the first time in franchise history they've been blanked over the first three weeks of the season. They are the only team in the NFL that hasn't generated a turnover.
The Eagles have managed just three sacks, tied for the fourth-lowest output in the league. They are 23rd in defensive efficiency (42.16) and opposing quarterback rating (64.1), 22nd in defensive EPA (-10.30) and 25th in opponent rushing yards per game (127.3).
There are a multitude of reasons for the slow start. At the top of the list is that some of the stars are not playing like stars. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, fresh off a four-year, $152 million extension, has been wearing a cast on his hand for the last two weeks as he reportedly deals with a hairline fracture in his wrist. Defensive back Cooper DeJean got off to a slow start as he dealt with calf and abdomen injuries. Linebacker Zack Baun, in contrast, started off strong but had a down night against Chicago. He has been sidelined at practice this week with a concussion.
Their big offseason acquisition, Greenard, was on a pitch count in his debut against the Bears after missing extended time with a pec injury.
There has been some turnover at key starting spots, and that has come with an acclimation period. The early returns have been generally positive on corner Riq Woolen, but a breakdown between him and DeJean led to Kalif Raymond being left wide open for a 41-yard touchdown in the second half Monday night.
"We've got to communicate better, make sure everybody gets the call, get everyone on the same page so we don't leave guys running free," DeJean said.
Two of the defense's top communicators in linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship are now in Las Vegas and Houston, respectively. Former first-round pick Jihaad Campbell is still settling in at the starting linebacker spot opposite Baun, and there's been a rotating cast at safety, with Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II now splitting reps opposite Andrew Mukuba, who has been dealing with a knee injury.
The safety spot in particular has become problematic. Interestingly, the Eagles signed former Pro Bowl defensive back Kenny Moore II to the practice squad last week and have since elevated him to the active roster. He primarily played in the slot during his nine years with the Indianapolis Colts but has been working at safety since coming to Philly.
While Moore is motivated to make his mark in a new city as he did in Indianapolis, Fangio said "he's a down the line possibility, maybe" as he gets used to a new position.
It's not all doom and gloom on the defensive side of the ball. The Eagles might only have three sacks but are tied for 10th in pressures (40) and now have Greenard back, offering hope that they can turn the corner there. Mukuba and DeJean are both off the injury report, which can only help a passing defense that ranks ninth in yards per game (193).
And with a little work, perhaps the back seven can turn pass breakups into interceptions before long.
"We've just got to keep giving them multiple ball drills. Coaches throwing ball drills is almost a waste because they're lollipops," Fangio said. "We've got to get them on the jugs or get a real quarterback throwing them some balls that have some RPMs, maybe like a [Phillies closer Jhoan] Duran fastball rather than a Jamie Moyer."
But the turnaround has to start now. With the next four games against formidable offenses in the Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys, this stretch will help define whether this defense is for real, or just real good on paper.
