6 bold predictions for Vic Fangio's defense during the Eagles' regular season

USA Today

28-07-2025

Setting realistic expectations for the upcoming Eagles regular season with six bold predictions for Vic Fangio's revamped yet formidable defense.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have listened to fibs. We were told the Philadelphia Eagles' defense would take a step backward. It won't. We were told the losses would be too much to overcome. That isn't true either. They're going to be fine. You're going to be proud of this team, just as you were during the most recent Super Bowl this past February.
Sure, there were losses, and we will miss everyone who left. We also realize attrition is part of every offseason. The temptation was to agonize over every loss in free agency and C.J. Gardner-Johnson's second exit. We suggest ignoring that temptation. It's a waste of everyone's time.
No one should focus on the departed players. This team must focus on who's still on the roster, and much of the young core is still intact. Rest easy, friends. Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blakenship will be just fine.
So, ignore the lies and listen to the truth. The truth is that Andrew Mukuba is good. The truth is that Jihaad Campbell is outstanding. The core is still in place. Most of it is young. Philadelphia lost a leader in Brandon Graham, but he tutored one in the making... We raise our glasses and salute Nolan Smith. His mindset is incredible. He's a representation of this team's leader, Vic Fangio, on the field.
Philly's defensive coordinator has more than exceeded our expectations. Speaking of expectations, here are a handful for the coming Eagles season.
Eagles won't allow a 100-yard rusher in 13 of their 17 regular-season games.
If you think this theory is emotional, you should have seen the first one. We were this close to stating the Eagles won't allow a 100-yard rusher all season, but rational thought prevailed. These are the defending Super Bowl champions, even if they don't want to be called that. They'll get everyone's best shot, and at times, there will be lulls and some adversity.
Here's a bold prediction. Some four-man mix of Jahmyr Gibbs, Josh Jacobs, Kyren Williams, Bucky Irving, and a surprise player to be named later will cause issues. Ashton Jeanty won't have a significant impact because the Las Vegas Raiders will likely fall behind the Philadelphia Eagles early, forcing the Silver and Black to abandon the running game early in an attempt to begin airing it out.
Expect a stout rushing defense, one where a top-three ranking isn't impossible. Also expect that defense to get an assist from a high-powered offense that forces teams to play from behind late in games.
Eagles hold opposing QBs to a rating under 100 in 11 of their 17 games.
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are two of the best quarterbacks of the current era. Both will face the Eagles' defense this season. Justin Herbert is on that second-tier, even though that statement will hurt some of your feelings.
Young stars in the making, like Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels, are on the schedule. So are steady veterans like Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford. Much of Philadelphia's schedule is dominated by veterans, both ascending (Jordan Love) and declining (Aaron Rodgers).
Sure, that's a gauntlet of signal-caller. All of which will bring their best efforts when Philadelphia is the opponent. Trust the Eagles' preparation, but be aware of this. The Birds will do what they always do. They'll make one or two marginal players look like Joe Montana, and they'll make some of the game's best have some off days.
Here's why...
The defense finishes with 25 takeaways.
It's been decades, and some of us still can't enunciate the mathematical formula for calculating a quarterback rating. Here's what we do know. TDs and completions raise the score. Interceptions and incompletions knock it down.
The Eagles forced 13 turnovers during the most recent postseason, the most in NFL history. Many of them were forced fumbles. Before that, they racked up 13 interceptions from Week 1 to Week 18.
They tied the Pittsburgh Steelers with 22 forced fumbles. 13 of those were recovered. While it's challenging to replicate that, another year in Vic Fangio's scheme will help his unit achieve more impressive showings. Twenty-five takeaways seem reasonable.
Eagles allow 24 points a game or fewer.
Three TDs and a field goal... 24 points.. Some teams will achieve more vs. the Eagles' defense. Some will achieve less. Call this one a hunch. Philadelphia gives up an average of 24 points this season. That seems fair based on the level of quarterbacks that they are facing this season.
Vic Fangio's defense allows fewer than 275 yards per game.
Only the Tennessee Titans allowed fewer yards than Philadelphia through the air. The Eagles finished tenth vs. the run. Again, expect more cohesive performances and continued elevation during the coming regular season.
Jihaad Campbell finishes as a DROY candidate but loses the award to Abdul Carter.
Jihaad Campbell is the real deal. He's still recovering from shoulder surgery, but it seems he'd suit up in the Birds needed him to today. Knowing that, confidence grows that he'll be ready for the regular season, if that means he must be eased into more gameday action.
Once he does, expect Cooper DeJean-type impact. Campbell WILL finish as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, which is impressive, but something tells us the award will be handed to New York Giants star Abdul Carter.
That's how these NFL Honors award shoes typically unfold. We're pretty used to that as Philadelphia's sports fans, right? Say this in unison. No one likes us. We don't care.