For all the new players filling pivotal roles for the Philadelphia Eagles on defense this season, some familiar faces have been making their presence felt the most through 10 games.
While the buzz surrounding recently-acquired edge Jaelan Phillips is very real, the Eagles’ recent surge on defense has been fueled by the likes of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Quinyon Mitchell, Zack Baun and Cooper DeJean — guys who played massive roles during last year’s championship run.
But make no mistake, this year’s iteration of Vic Fangio’s defense is its own animal, one that’s already finding new ways to keep opposing quarterbacks up at night.
‘Shot blocking’ is becoming an undeniable staple of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense
Eagles nose tackle Jordan Davis was once a high school basketball player at Hopewell High School in North Carolina. He eventually transferred to Mallard Creek, where he began forging his path to the NFL, but those hardwood skills don’t just disappear.
Davis has been tapping into them lately. He was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week after swatting three Jared Goff passes during last Sunday night’s 16-9 win over the Detroit Lions, a game that turned out to be a true defensive slug fest.
Eagles IDL Jordan Davis won NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his shot blocking performance against the Lions! 🚫🏈 pic.twitter.com/JDBeMYYH5l
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) November 19, 2025
Shot blocking around the line of scrimmage is quickly becoming a staple of the Eagles’ game since the bye week. Per Eagles insider Anthony DiBona, both Carter and Davis are emerging as two of the top “rim protectors” in the NFL.
“Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter did their best impersonation of Hall of Fame shot blocker Dikembe Mutombo in Week 11,” Dibona wrote forthephillyspecialshow.com. “Carter has recorded four batted passes over Philadelphia’s last two games. While Davis recorded three batted passes against the Lions.”
One of the Eagles’ more feel-good storylines this summer was Davis reporting to training camp in peak shape, and we may now be seeing the benefits. The 25-year-old is well on pace for the best statistical season of his career, already matching or surpassing his previous career highs in solo tackles (18) and sacks (three).
The more underrated category is batted balls. Davis now has a team-leading six on the season, after only posting four total over his first three years as a pro. Carter is next in line with four, while both Moro Ojomo and rookie Ty Robinson have one apiece; the Eagles have 12 batted balls in 10 games this season, including seven bats over their past two games.
Read more:Analyst details the emerging Eagles trend that should terrify the NFL
Philadelphia has all the pieces in place to start mimicking last year's group, which tormented opposing QBs week in and week out. Their propensity to swat away pass attempts that could otherwise be targeted to an open receiver is an intriguing new wrinkle to watch down the stretch.