If we are going to pick out one word to define the Philadelphia Eagles secondary through the first 2 weeks of the regular season, there’s only one that really fits: Luck.
To this point, that luck has gone in favor of the Eagles.
In the first game, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, one of the NFL’s most sure handed players, drops 3 passes in the second half after lighting up the Eagles to the tune of 6 catches for 110 yards before that.
Against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, more good luck went Philly’s way when 7-time NFL All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce let a pass bounce off his hands in the end zone … and into the arms of rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, who returned it 41 yards to set up the final score for Philadelphia in a 20-17 victory.
In Week 3, that luck may have run out when the Eagles return home to face the visiting Los Angeles Rams, who feature what could be a luck proof wide receiver duo of NFL All-Pros in Davante Adams and Puka Nacua — a duo who could torch an Eagles secondary still facing some personnel questions.
Nacua, who is in his third season, seems like he’s ascended to become one of the NFL’s very best through 2 games and leads the NFL with 18 receptions for 221 yards.
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Puka Nacua, in my opinion, is a Top 5 NFL wide receiver right now,” The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia said on “The Philly Special” podcast on September 16. ” … I mean, this is the test that you wanna have. To me, this is a Top 3 team in the NFC. At the absolute worst Top 4. And Puka Nacua is almost always open over the middle of the field. It’s frustrating watching the film sometimes. (The Eagles) are going to have to be on top of their communication overall.
Jackson, DeJean Will Be Tested In Assignments
We can make some educated guesses on how Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio might approach Sunday’s game against the Rams, which will also serve as a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional Round game won by the Eagles.
If we’re Fangio, we might take the approach of using 3 players to cover 2.
In this case, that would mean looking at shutdown cornerback Quinyon Mitchell perhaps matched up with Adams 1-on-1 for the whole game while cornerbacks Adoree Jackson and Cooper DeJean take turns guarding Nacua.
For Mitchell, the challenge of facing Adams is one he will almost certainly be up to — if not outright demand from Fangio he get.
Because Nakua lines up in the slot quite frequently, that could put him squared up with DeJean at nickelback in those formations and against Jackson when he’s lined up on the outside.
Nacua Could Be On Verge Of Massive Extension
Nacua had 1,486 receiving yards as a rookie in 2023 then followed that with 990 receiving yards in just 11 games in 2024 as he battled injuries.
That means the former fifth round pick could be in line for a massive contract extension following this season — one that could net him upwards of $30 million per year and make him one of the NFL’s highest paid wide receivers.
NFL All-Pro Could Torch Vulnerable Eagles Secondary