The Eagles had 1 of the worst defenses in the league last season. After their defense dominated in 2022, the unit took a complete 180. The loss of both starting safeties, both starting linebackers and Javon Hargrave turned an elite unit into a terrible one. It didn’t help that a couple of guys they did bring back, Avonte Maddox and James Bradberry, both cratered. The mess they had at defensive coordinator, with a switch mid-season that made the defense ever worse.
Things were expected to be better this season. But no one could have predicted how much better. From a bottom 5 defense to the undisputed best defense in the league. From giving up the 2nd most passing yards per game, to giving up the fewest. From giving up the 3rd most points per game, to giving up the 2nd fewest.
Vic Fangio certainly made a big difference. But they also brought in two rookie corners who placed 2nd and 4th in Defensive Rookie Of The Year voting, brought back CJ Gardner Johnson, had Jalen Carter turn into a superstar, saw multiple young guys like Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean take huge steps forward, and turned a career backup Zack Baun into the best Linebacker in the league.
But how do they match up with the Chiefs, who also feature a very good defense? They are 9th in yards per game, and 4th in points per game. Both are lower than the Eagles, but obviously still very good.
Related: Eagles Vs Chiefs: Which Side Has The Better Offense?
So which defense is better? Let’s break it down position by position.
Eagles vs Chiefs
DL
The defensive line is a strength for both of these defenses. Notably, both feature a game wrecker at DT. Chris Jones for the Chiefs, and Jalen Carter for the Eagles. Jones has been doing this for a bit, and Carter is still on the rise. With experience, you give the edge to Jones, but Carter is in that conversation now.
The gap comes in the rest of the line. The Chiefs just do not have the same depth of impact pass rushers. George Karlaftis is great, but there is not much to speak of after him and Jones, at least not in terms of racking up big-pressure numbers. The Eagles meanwhile have Nolan Smith, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams to get after the QB, and then Jordan Davis is one of the better run stuffers in the league.
The depth favors the Eagles. They are also getting Brandon Graham back, though we don’t know how effective he can be. But even if he can’t offer very much, the Eagles’ D-Line is still better
Edge- Eagles
LB
Zack Baun will be the best LB on the field. Both against the run and in pass coverage. If Nakobe Dean was healthy, the Eagles might have the 2 best Lbs in the game. Unfortunately, he is out. Oren Burks is filling in for him and has held up as well as you can hope for a backup thrown in there suddenly in the playoffs.
The Chiefs LBs are also very good. If Nick Bolton or Drue Tranquil were on the Eagles, they would start over Burks, but not over Baun. They have one weakness though. It is not only their fault, but the Chiefs have given up the most yards to TEs this season. The Eagles have given up the fewest. The Chiefs defense has been slightly better against the run, but the Eagles’ LBs are much better in coverage and as occasional pass rushers. Baun and Burks have both also had a nose for forcing turnovers, something we just don’t see with the Chiefs LBs.
Even with no Dean, this one goes to the Eagles. Baun makes all the difference. and Burks has been solid enough.
Edge: Eagles
Secondary
The Eagles give up the fewest passing yards per game. The Chiefs are 18th. The Eagles defensive backs have 14 total interceptions, including 3 in the playoffs. The Chiefs DBs have 12, and none in the playoffs. The Eagles have given up the 3rd fewest yards to WRs, KC has given up the 6th fewest.
Whichever way you look at it, the Eagles secondary has been better. The Chiefs have a good secondary. Trent McDuffie in particular is great. But Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Darius Slay, Reed Blankenship, and CJGJ are 1 of the best back 5s we have seen in years. They even have Isaiah Rodgers for depth, who has played very well when called upon.
McDuffie, Conner, Watson, Reid, and Cook are a good group. They would stack up well against almost any secondary in the league. But the Eagles are far and away the best group of DBs in the league. So it is no shot against the Chiefs, it is just acknowledging how great the Eagles group is.
Edge-Eagles
Special Teams
I didn’t want to devote an entirely separate article to the Special Teamers, so I will throw them in with the defense. Jake Elliott did make all 7 of his PATs in the championship game, which is a good sign, but he missed another 50+ yard FG. Harrison Butker had a shaky season too, but has yet to miss a kick, either FG or PAT in the post-season. That said, he has also not attempted a kick from beyond 40 yards, and is 2 for 5 on 50+ yard kicks this season. Neither team has the ultimate trust in their kicker right now.
Eagles have the slight edge at Punter, but it is close between Braden Mann and Matt Araiza. As for Kick and Punt Returns, it is pretty much even. So it comes down to the Kicker, and the fact they can trust Butker to at least hit his PATS gives the Chiefs the advantage. But neither team will feel comfortable kicking long FGs.
Edge- Chiefs