The Philadelphia Eagles improved to 3-0 since the bye week following Sunday’s 37-17 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals.
They’re also 3-0 and dominating on defense since inserting rookie Cooper DeJean into the starting lineup.
DeJean’s lack of playing time at the beginning of the season was as puzzling as it was frustrating for fans, especially with the defense struggling in pass defense, generating pressure and tackling through the first four weeks.
DeJean has helped in all three of those areas since entering the starting lineup in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, when he finished with six tackles and half a sack. He’s piled up 10 solo tackles in three starts, and has been hailed for this fourth-down takedown of superstar Bengals wide receiver Ja’Mar Chase in space on Sunday:
Cooper DeJean shutting down Ja’Marr Chase on 4th down. Absolute dawg. pic.twitter.com/dotC4vFOEl
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) October 27, 2024
DeJean entered Week 8 with some impressive chops in coverage as well. In 28 coverage snaps against the Browns and New York Giants, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star allowed just three receiving yards, per PFF. He’s also being utilized as a blitzer by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and has shown a willingness to stick his nose in against the run. PFF had him with three run stuffs already entering the Bengals game.
With the offense beginning to hit its stride — quarterback Jalen Hurts might have played the best game of his career on Sunday — the Eagles feel like a team building momentum, now 5-2 entering a Week 9 home game against old friend Doug Pederson and the fading Jacksonville Jaguars.
Fangio kept DeJean in a box over the first month of the season due to missed practice time in training camp. He’s been fully unleashed now, and the Eagles are better for it.
