January 20, 2025   7 MIN READ

One More Stand

Birds Defense Holds Late Again

by

PHILADELPHIA — For most of the season, the Eagles’ defense has served as the bedrock, a tenacious and poised collection of talent working in concert toward a common goal.

Every player, to a man, entered the season with a point to prove, whether it be living up to a lofty draft status, fulfilling potential, defying father time, returning from injury, and in one case, putting behind a suspension.

They’ve played with a striking edge, occasionally stretching limits, though almost always delivering inspired performances.

There have been many games when the defense uplifted a stagnant offense, propelling the Eagles to an otherwise unlikely victory, as recently as last Sunday’s 22-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC Wild Card game.

But the final two minutes of Sunday’s divisional playoff game against the visiting Los Angeles Rams nearly threatened the legacy of a unit presided over by veteran coordinator Vic Fangio.

It almost surrendered the dagger that would’ve ended the Eagles’ season.

When one player has gone down, the unit has always been equipped to withstand the blow, calling on whoever happened to be waiting in the wings.

Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who was pressed into service for much of the game when rookie Quinyon Mitchell exited with a shoulder injury, was next for that assignment.

The 27-year-old competed hard, as he’s done all season. And when defensive tackle Jalen Carter forced a fumble on Rams running back Kyren Williams, Rodgers was there to scoop the loose ball and return it 40 yards.

The same inspired efforts can be said for linebacker Oren Burks, replacing an injured Nakobe Dean for the rest of the postseason. He made a flurry of plays, including a difficult open-field tackle of Williams to prevent excessive damage on a screen, along with a third-down pass deflection.

But on the final Rams drive – the one that had a sold-out crowd at Lincoln Financial Field sitting on pins and needles – Rodgers understood the magnitude of the moment and played through pain.

At some point previously during that final frame, he’d sustained a cramp and his leg locked up. But Rodgers exhibited the vintage toughness and selflessness that’s personified Fangio’s unit all season.

And with Mitchell already shelved, and with the backend leaking as quarterback Matthew Stafford marched the Rams downfield, Rodgers took it upon himself to make sure he stayed on the field.

“I was in a lot of pain, but it was more like that sh-t didn’t matter,” he said. “It’s win or go home. So, had to go out there and just fight it.”

jalen carter matthew stafford getty

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles DT Jalen Carter (98) was disruptive up front in the team’s NFC Divisional win over the Rams.

The big play came courtesy of Rams wide receiver Puka Nakua, who reeled in a 37-yard reception, furnishing Stafford and the resurgent offense with a fresh set of downs at the Philadelphia 21-yard-line. Only 1:25 remaining as the crowd held its collective breath.

The unit that’s served as a savior all season was bending – and on the verge of a break.

It conjured memories of staggering finishes in losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.

The Jaguars and Panthers couldn’t seal the deal against the Eagles this season, but both nearly marched down the field to almost pull off an upset.

Another Stafford flick of the wrist to Nacua brought the Rams to the 13-yard line with just over a minute remaining, setting up a critical 3rd-and-2.

Stafford never had an opportunity to heave a pass into the end zone, however, as Carter cut through an embattled Rams interior, dropping the quarterback for a nine-yard loss — essentially saving the Eagles’ season.

Faced with a 4th-and-11 and a spot to go to the NFC Championship, Carter proved disruptive once again, forcing Stafford to hasten a pass in Nacua’s direction that fell incomplete.

Fangio’s bunch, as it has all season, dug deep and found a way.

“It’s surreal, man,” Carter said. “I was really focused on trying to finish the game. I know I had the sack on third down, but I was trying to get everybody together, knew they had one more play in them. And we got a stop and won the game.”

The treacherous conditions, which cast the atmosphere of a snow globe around the Linc, hindered traction, vision and change of direction – challenges that hardly went unnoticed.

By halftime, the field depicted Lincoln Financial Field’s version of a winter wonderland.

“It’s very tough to actually do what you want in the snow,” explained safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. “It’s very rugged, it’s slippery, and you gotta really try to focus your mind up. And understand this is one of those games, it’s all about grimy and how tough are you in this cold weather?

“Everybody can be tough in 70-degree weather. Sun’s out, moon in the middle of the sky … but what are you gonna do when the snow’s falling, it’s late and something’s on the line?”

For much of the season, the defense has been the team’s driving force, a pillar of stability when the other two phases had off days.

But the cohesiveness and likeminded mentality goes far beyond their on-field chemistry. It’s a close-knit bond that’s been forged for months.

When the lights were brightest and the stakes highest, not much needed to be said on that final drive – not even from established veterans.

“I felt like everybody knows what it takes,” Burks said. “It’s just a matter of everybody locking in, doing their job and just finding a way. So, we’ve kind of built a lot of trust.

“Even for me, like, not playing a ton of defense, it’s the practice reps. It’s getting to know each other off the field and all of these things show up in those clutch moments. So, that’s what it takes.”

Carter expanded on Burks’ point, offering a succinct, albeit different, perspective on the recipe behind a Super Bowl-caliber defense.

“We believe in each other,” he said. “We trust in one another. And we’re here for the long run. We ball out, we’re trying to go all the way. It’s only one goal.”

If only for a moment, in front of a national audience, the No. 1 defense was on the ropes.

But this defense, this team, has grown exponentially since dropping those games late to the Falcons and Commanders.

On this day, through will and perseverance, the defense prevailed, holding strong and coming up with a crucial stop.

Survive and advance.

To buckle down and keep the Rams out was no easy feat, which is why it resonated particularly with one of their defensive leaders, who added deeper meaning to the stand.

“To be honest with y’all — I’m gonna be all the way thorough — it means a lot,” safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson said. “To the guys that’s not playing, to a guy like Nakobe [Dean], that’s worked his butt off to be in those type of moments — it means a lot, bro.

“We worked all year to be the No. 1 defense. And just to go out and show that we’re the No. 1 when it matters, matters. Sh-t means a lot. It’s kinda emotional, but I’m just happy for the guys.”

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

About The Author

1 Comment