EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The focus has naturally been on the Philadelphia Eagles' offense in the wake of the injury to quarterback Carson Wentz, but it's the defense that has been leaking oil of late. Jim Schwartz's unit has not looked like itself for three weeks now, and that's a concern with the postseason fast approaching.
Sunday's performance at the New York Giants was the most alarming to date. The previous two -- at the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams -- were against playoff-caliber teams. The Eagles aren't the first to struggle to contain Russell Wilson at home in December, and the Rams have one of the most potent offenses in all of football.
The Giants, though, are a bad team with a bad offense. Decimated by injuries at the skill positions, it was receiver Tavarres King, not Odell Beckham Jr., who bit them for two touchdown catches. New York ranked 31st in points per game heading into this one (15.3) and were averaging 12 points per game over the last quarter of the season. Eli Manning has only two 300-plus yard games on the season; both are against Philadelphia. He has averaged 400 yards and three touchdowns in his two outings against the Eagles, compared to 207 yards and a little over one touchdown versus the rest of the competition.
"We played a Hall of Fame quarterback today. We said all week he was going to show up and play his best game," defensive end Chris Long said. "They scored 24 on us at home [in Week 3], they scored five more points at this stage of the season. They've got a hell of a quarterback, and [interim coach Steve Spagnuolo] is a good coach. I knew they'd show up to play. We didn't play our best game, and that's what happens. So the sky isn't falling."
True enough. The defense came up with a stand deep in their own territory in the closing seconds to secure the Eagles' 12th win of the season and a first-round bye. A win over the Oakland Raiders at home on Christmas night would ensure them home-field advantage through the playoffs. They're in tremendous shape when it comes to postseason positioning, and have a few weeks to get themselves right on the defensive side of the ball.
Still, the slip over the past several weeks raises some questions. One of the most pressing: Can this defense deliver when opposed by a higher-end quarterback? Wilson had three TDs and no interceptions against them (he's had four TDs to three picks in his two games since, both Seattle losses); Jared Goff and the Rams scored 35 against them; and Manning, who has been a shell of himself this season, threw for 434 yards with three touchdowns and an interception Sunday.
The reason this is relevant is because the NFC will be loaded up with guys like Goff, Drew Brees, Wilson and Matt Ryan. There won't be a game where the Eagles don't face a quarterback playing at a high level.
The quick game was a big part of Manning's success. He neutralized the Eagles' rush by getting the ball out in a blink and hitting on slant after slant, lulling them to sleep before going over the top on a double-move. Cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills each took their share of lumps in this one, and the defense overall had times when it appeared disjointed.
"We need to be able to detail some of our calls, figure out what we're really good at and what we need some work on, and just continue to detail the work," safety Malcolm Jenkins said. "A few things like pace and tempo have bothered us the last couple of games. We need to be sure that we're able to communicate effectively, that we hold our leverage, that we execute our defense, whether that be us detailing it more as players or simplifying it a little bit in playcalling."
The Eagles did make some in-game adjustments to slow the Giants. According to ESPN Stats & Information tracking, they blitzed Manning on more than half his dropbacks during the first three drives -- all of which went for New York touchdowns. After that, they blitzed him just once.
According to linebacker Nigel Bradham, Schwartz tried not to go over the top but was "fiery" on the sideline. It's the self-inflicted wounds like penalties and breakdowns that frustrate him. Sunday was an irritating day at the office.
It ended with a win, as it typically has for the Eagles this season. Coach Doug Pederson's message started with congratulations for securing a first-round bye, followed by a statement that seemed to be the most important of the afternoon.
"You can't play like this and win in the postseason, obviously," he said.
That's true whether Nick Foles proves to be a competent replacement for Wentz or not.