Winning Up Front

We can debate whether the Eagles are the best team in the league. The Lions and Bills look great and might be better. One thing that isn’t up for debate is which team has the best OL/DL units. That is the Eagles.

The Ravens have one of the best DLs in the league. The Eagles ran for 140 yards on them, the most Baltimore has allowed in a game this year. The Ravens are third in the league in sacks. Against the Eagles they only had 3 QB hits. The Eagles OL was able to control the line of scrimmage.

The Eagles pass rush was able to overwhelm the Baltimore OL.

The Ravens have allowed a 40%+ pressure rate in four games this season. The results, via TruMedia:

W5: Win vs. Bengals (42.6%)
W8: Loss vs. Browns (50%)
W11: Loss to Steelers (40%)
W13: Loss to Eagles (56.8%)

Even worse: Philly didn’t need to blitz much, either (13.6% rate).

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 2, 2024

Howie Roseman loves to talk about how the Eagles focus on the line of scrimmage. They want the best OL and DL they can build. When the Eagles are able to put together great lines, they can be a great team.

Jalen Carter has taken his game to another level this year.

.@Eagles @breadmanjalen played EVERY play last night. He makes you watch; he brings massive JOY to me every Monday watching him play and watching the @Ravens gameplan him. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/70GHGdMMHB

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 2, 2024

It is one things for lines to have good players. They become dominant when there are great players and that’s exactly what Carter is. Offenses can gameplan for him. At best that usually means doubling him. When they do that, Milton Williams is able to be disrutive and make plays. Jordan Davis is becoming a force against the run and playing some of the best football of his young career.

With Carter creating havoc up the middle, it helps Josh Sweat and Nolan Smith to get pressure off the edge. Where is the QB going to go? Sweat leads the team in sacks and QB hits. Smith has 4.5 sacks and has emerged as a good edge player. Jalyx Hunt played his most snaps on Sunday and showed some promise.

The Eagles are the best defense in the league because they have playmakers at all three levels. Winning up front is most important and the Eagles DL is playing at a high level this year.

The OL is also one of the best units in the league. They might be behind the Lions. You can probably make an argument the Eagles have the best OL, especially when you factor in backups.

Lane Johnson remains the top dog and most experts consider him to still be the best OT in the league.

Lane Johnson put on an absolute show in Week 9. He’s the best offensive tackle in pro football pic.twitter.com/vLzTtC4zOE

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 4, 2024

Jordan Mailata is having the best year of his career. He and Johnson give the coaches the ability to call a variety of plays. Both guys are agile enough to pull and move on run plays. Both are strong enough to win at the point of attack.

Mekhi Becton can still be up and down, but his good moments are special. Becton played well against Baltimore. He’s getting better every week and is able to have dominant moments because of his rare combination of size, strength and agility. Becton is not your normal OG.

.@Eagles @BigTicket73 @Ravens 8 months ago the Big Ticket had never played OG in his life. Now watch him wire up a pro bowl DT. COACHING and TALENT matter. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/4ChN2eq9Z0

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 2, 2024

The Eagles had great line play when they won the Super Bowl in 2017. They had great line play when they made it back to the Super Bowl in 2022. The lines might be even better this year. I can’t guarantee another trip to the big game, but it sure doesn’t hurt when you are able to win the battle at the line of scrimmage just about every week.

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