PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles’ defensive film session from Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders was rough for the players on Monday. Linebacker Nakobe Dean sat with his teammates and relived Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels making another late comeback, picking apart their defense after they were unable to apply sustained pressure. Daniels methodically sliced through the coverage, culminating in wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus’ 4-yard touchdown catch.
The Eagles did not look like the No. 1 defense in the league against the Commanders in Sunday’s loss. However, they are hopeful that the conversations addressing their myriad issues in the fourth quarter will lead to a better showing against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
“A couple guys spoke out and said how they felt, how we had to do better, and how a lot of things, like the little knickknack penalties, hurt us,” Dean said. “We had way more penalties than we’re used to, so we have to cut them out. We also have to make sure our heads aren’t held low after the loss and keep our confidence at an all-time high.”
The players weren’t the only ones taking accountability for the loss. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio accepted blame, saying his play calls should have been better in the fourth quarter, as the Commanders converted seven of their 13 third downs.
“We gave up too many explosive plays,” Fangio said. “On one drive, they hit two big ones on us. That’s one part of the equation. We didn’t have a good day on third down. That’s another part of the equation. There was also field position, where they occasionally had shorter distances to go. Overall, we just didn’t play as well as we had been playing.”
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Despite allowing the Commanders to rack up 368 yards of offense, Fangio remains confident his defense will bounce back.
“After what happened Sunday, I think they will,” Fangio said. “It’s a resilient group. After winning so many in a row, you’ve got to be able to bounce back, and I believe our group will.”
The Eagles will have the chance to do so against the Cowboys, who have won four of their last five games. In the Week 10 matchup between the two teams, the Cowboys were held to 49 net passing yards. Since then, they have averaged 235.2 passing yards per game with quarterback Cooper Rush replacing an injured Dak Prescott.
“They’re playing extremely well over the last five games,” Fangio said. “They’re moving the ball. I think they’ve found their niche with Rush at quarterback, and they’re doing a good job. They’re running it well and mixing in the play pass and the boots very well. Obviously, CeeDee Lamb is having a banner year. They have a good tight end in Jake Ferguson, and the back (Rico Dowdle) has really come alive lately. They’re not the same offense that we saw.”
Dean has noticed a difference in the Cowboys since the Eagles’ last game against them.
“They’re playing more comfortably together,” Dean said. “They’re making way more plays. Their guys are being their guys, playing the way they’re supposed to. They’ve been better for sure.”
Rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean already has experience covering Lamb, limiting him to two catches for one yard in their previous matchup, but he knows Lamb can be disruptive if not contained.
“He’s really good,” DeJean said. “He’s going to get his catches, but it’s about tackling him when he gets the ball in his hands and eliminating his downfield catches. Taking those away is really the key because when he gets the ball, he can do a lot of special things. We have to be able to tackle him.”
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
