Philadelphia Eagles DTs Eating, Edge Rushers Starving ... For Now

Philadelphia Eagles have 4.5 sacks from their defensive tackle group while edge rusher Josh Sweat is the only player on the outside with a sack, but there's a reason why.

PHILADELPHIA – The defensive tackles are eating right now. Not just nibbling, but full-blown five-course meals.

The edge rushers? Well, they’re hungry. Downright starving.

Of the six sacks the Philadelphia Eagles have this season, 4.5 have come from the defensive tackle unit. Josh Sweat is the only edge rusher with any sacks, and he has just 1.5.

Defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter have 1.5 sacks each, Marlon Tuipultu has one, and Fletcher Cox has .5.

Offenses have chosen to focus on plugging the edges, which means Haason Reddick doesn’t have any sacks a year after getting 16 in the regular season, Brandon Graham sits at zero as well after hitting a career-high 11 last year.

It will be interesting to see the approach the Washington Commanders take when they visit Lincoln Financial Field (FOX/1 p.m.).

The Philadelphia Eagles defense sacks New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones / USA Today

Overall, the Eagles reached 70 sacks in 2022, the highest number of quarterback takedowns since the Minnesota Vikings put up 71 in 1989. The total was just two short of tying the NFL record of 72 set by the Chicago Bears' Monsters of the Midway crew in 1984.

Four Eagles reached double-figures in sacks last year, and only one was a defensive tackle – Javon Hargrave. The other three play on the edge.

So, yes, it’s logical that the first three offenses Philly has faced have loaded up to defend their perimeter.

“They are chipping us at an alarming rate, which is expected,” said Reddick. “Not just me, but in general. We had three guys in the D-end room alone who had double-digit sacks, so our edges are being chipped at a high rate, guys are staying shallow in the pocket which is opening a lot of opportunities for the DTs, but things will start changing soon.

“They can’t block everybody, they can’t double-team everybody. Guys are going to start getting more one-on-one opportunities and chances and everybody will be able to make plays.”

On Friday, Nick Sirianni was asked by SI.com Eagles Today what he had seen. He credited general manager Howie Roseman for building the defensive line’s depth, forcing opponents to make some hard decisions on exactly who to block.

“I think in the defensive line room that goes in kind of flows, right?” said the head coach. “Like a team could see it as well, Haason hasn't had a sack in three weeks. Cool, put all your resources to stop Sweat or Jalen or Jordan or Fletch, or should I go on? Brandon, Derek (Barnett), Nolan (Smith.

“You're going to see teams do that against our defensive line, but fortunately we have a bunch of guys that can get after it.”

The Eagles will look to remain undefeated on Sunday against Washington.