Don’t Mess ‘Wit!

BALTIMORE – In the moments that followed Sunday’s momentous 24-19 Eagles road win over the Ravens, one that put any remaining skeptics on notice, Michael Jackson’s hit “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” pulsed through the closed doors of the visiting locker room inside M&T Bank Stadium.

The hook most associated with the 1979 smash hit, played at the request of Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, perfectly encapsulated the underlying theme of the 2024 Eagles – they keep chugging along and don’t stop.

The atmosphere of the victorious locker room struck a remarkable balance, illustrating a confident, business-like approach while intertwined with a sense of pride from what had just been accomplished over a 60-minute period.

A common thread of the postgame dialogue centered on the weekly preparation and acknowledged a host of unsung standouts who stepped up and met the moment.

There was even some playful chiding, such as when safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson fielded a question regarding the play of fellow safety Tristin McCollum, who played 21 defensive snaps after relieving an injured Reed Blankenship.

On a Ravens 4th-and-8 desperation heave from Lamar Jackson towards wide receiver Zay Flowers with just over six minutes remaining, McCollum flashed in front of Flowers, breaking on the ball to register a breakup.

But the sideline ribbed him for being unable to secure the interception. When McCollum got to the sideline, all he saw was a sea of helmets converging around him.

And it was Gardner-Johnson, his veteran locker mate who was, unsurprisingly, most vocal, both in support and keeping him on his toes.

“T-Time, he know next-man-up mentality,” said Gardner-Johnson, sporting a mischievous grin with McCollum within earshot. “He did his job, he’s just gotta FINISH THE F–KIN’ INTERCEPTION!”

Lighthearted moments aside, the message throughout the locker room was the physicality with which the Eagles had played, and the understanding that the same will be required in games of similar magnitude.

The lead up to this game had the feel of a 2022 late-season game against the Tennessee Titans, when much of the chatter pertained to how the Eagles would stack up against an edgy, imposing Titans team.

Then, and this time, the Eagles reacted as if the undertones were taken personally.

Since the team’s Week 5 bye, one would be hard-pressed to identify a team more gritty and determined on both sides of scrimmage.

The Eagles are showcasing the same kind of physicality often associated with the Ravens, Steelers and the Pete Carroll-era Seahawks.

They are the new-age bullies on the block.

Which is likely why Nick Sirianni didn’t waver when he was asked after the game about his team’s preparation for a slugfest against a tough, unrelenting opponent with a history of being physically imposing.

“They had to match ours,” a fired-up Sirianni shot back. “We know we are a physical team, [and] we know they are a physical team. That was our message going in, that they have to match our physicality.

“Again, that’s a very physical team. That’s a well-coached team. That’s a team with a lot of good players.” 

If this were the litmus test you’ve been waiting for to assess coordinator Vic Fangio’s stellar unit, it would appear the Eagles passed with flying colors.

With Lamar Jackson, perhaps the game’s most lethal dual threat, performing at another MVP level and complemented by a bulldozing rushing attack led by Derrick Henry, the stakes couldn’t have been much higher.

For the entirety of the week, the spotlight was placed on Fangio’s unit in what would be a measure of mettle.

The Eagles, however, fought fire with fire, answering the bell and welcoming the anticipated alley scrap, one for which they were always wired.

“Coach only can say so much, but you gotta want to go out there and tackle one of the best running backs in the league, one of the best [dual threat] quarterbacks in the league,” Gardner-Johnson said. “That’s a want-to game. I credit all the guys that came in on a short week – Thanksgiving – and like Coach Nick said, we had to sacrifice some things this week to understand what type of game we was getting into.”

Gardner-Johnson explained that the plan was simple and consistent with their weekly objectives – run to the ball, tackle and hit.

Even in what could have been perceived as a measuring stick game, the Eagles never made it more than what it was, nor did they alter their approach.

Rather, it was more of a continuation of the remarkable resurgence that’s transpired under Fangio’s watch.

Sure, the Ravens struck first, accounting for nine points while the Eagles sought answers on both sides.

But like a prize fighter, Fangio’s group endured the Ravens’ best shot before responding with its counterpunch. Fangio adjusted his game plan in accordance to how the Ravens opened, a tailoring that resulted in the fast-flowing unit proceeding to slowly stifle the life from a juggernaut Ravens offense.

“We just sticking to the plan and letting the game unfold, ’cause everybody knows the first five-to-six minutes of the game is hot on both sides,” Gardner-Johnson said. “We just knew we had to keep the fire in place, keep it in front of us. Don’t let it spread like wildfire and understand that it’s not the end of the world.

“You got four quarters to play, so not one touchdown is gonna win the game. That goes for our offense, too. You gotta be able to consistently score, put points on the board and be able to move the ball. I think we went out there and dominated and understand that we gotta keep playing. This is a playoff game, like, that’s a team you possibly could see in the Super Bowl.”

The prideful defense, which believes in physicality to limit points, stayed the course at the first sign of adversity, committing to their defensive philosophy and finishing drives.

A minor tweak in eye discipline, as Gardner-Johnson explained, made a big difference in third-down defense. The Ravens converted just six of 15.

But the team-wide belief in teammates making plays should only strengthen the Eagles down the stretch.

“No panic,” defensive tackle Jalen Carter echoed. “We treat the score like it’s 0-0. We try to keep getting the offense the ball and that’s the main goal. They go score, they got the momentum, but it’s time to flip that.”

While Sunday’s performances from defensive centerpieces like Carter, Gardner-Johnson, and linebacker Zack Baun can be considered business-as-usual, the sign of a resilient unit is how it responds to next-man-up scenarios.

With starting cornerback Darius Slay shelved from a concussion, Isaiah Rodgers got the nod in a critical spot for his second start of the season.

The wiry defender generally responded with plaster coverage while also containing the perimeter to minimize Jackson’s damage when on the run.  The 178-pound corner also logged a picture-perfect, open-field tackle on Justice Hill, limiting the running back to a two-yard gain.

Rodgers understood that he’d need to play bigger than his frame.

“We just kinda knew it’s the top two offenses, the top two defenses and it’s gonna be a physical game,” he said. “And it came down to which team was gonna be the most physical. So, you know, on my part – even the size I am – I had to come in there and fill in tackles and try to make as much plays as I can for my team.”

In the midst of the turnaround, as things were beginning to gel, the Eagles were dealt a blow when they lost Blankenship to a concussion.

That’s when McCollum was summoned to fill the void. Much like his teammates, the third-year safety played with aggression and was assignment-sound, emerging as one of the defense’s unsung heroes on his way to four tackles.

“The preparation is done early in the week,” McCollum said. “I know a lot of coaches and players, they trust me to be that next man up. So, I’m always ready for the opportunity. So, when it happens, it’s just put your helmet on and go in.”

While plenty of credit goes to players like Rodgers and McCollum, a portion also belongs to the coaching staff for readying players to jump in at a moment’s notice.

Defensive backs coach Christian Parker, cornerbacks coach Roy Anderson and safeties coach Joe Kasper have each prepared their players for high-leverage moments such as Sunday’s.

“Man, shout out to the coaching staff,” McCollum said. “They get us prepared and they do a very, very good job in the meeting room, making sure that we know the assignment and making sure that we’re assignment sound on the football field. So, shout out to them.”

Against the Ravens, the Eagles sacked Jackson three times while limiting Henry to under 100 yards rushing and just 4.3 yards per carry.

If not for allowing a garbage-time touchdown, Fangio’s bunch would’ve nearly architected a second-half shutout.

The defense never allowed Jackson to turn loose and take over like he’s done so many times en route to two NFL MVPs.

In a game that pitted two bullies against each other, the Eagles were tougher, doing it their way and outlasting the longtime AFC North powerhouse.

“We gotta lot of momentum,” Carter said. “We just gotta keep it going, keep elevating. We can’t go down. You know, it’s getting late in the season, people gotta get more recovery. Take care of your body and just move onto next week and have a positive mindset.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.