Eagles’ stout defense about to be tested vs. Washington

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PHILADELPHIA — During the Eagles' five-game winning streak, coordinator Vic Fangio's defense has surrendered an average of just 10 points per game, the best in the NFL.

The Birds are also first in total defense (200.8 yards per game) and passing defense (122.6 ypg) over that span. They're second in the NFL in rushing defense (78.2 ypg) and second in sacks, with 19.

After a debacle in Tampa Bay in which the Eagles' defense looked out of sorts heading into the bye, Fangio emphasized a couple of fundamental points — tackling and pressure. Since then, led by Josh Sweat, Zack Baun and rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, among an impressive cast, it has looked like a whole new unit.

"Somebody told me, if you emphasize it, you've got a chance to get it," Fangio said.

That somebody was longtime coach Jim Mora. He gave Fangio, a Scranton-area native, his first professional coaching job, as a defensive assistant in 1984 with the Philadelphia Stars, where they won two USFL championships together.

Fangio followed Mora to the New Orleans Saints, where he was a linebackers coach, and later to the Indianapolis Colts as defensive coordinator.

"Jim is, to me, one of the most underrated great coaches in the league, because he just never did much in the playoffs" Fangio said. "(He) never quite had the overall team to go far, but a damn good coach and a guy that I've always looked up to."

Now, back in the city where his pro career began, Fangio's group faces its toughest test since the bye as the Washington Commanders come calling on Thursday (8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime, FOX locally, 94.1-WIP FM). It is the only opponent during this stretch that has a winning record (7-3), a half-game behind the Eagles (7-2) in the NFC East.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been a breakout star, breathing new life into a Washington franchise that had cratered under former owner Daniel Snyder. The dual-threat QB has thrived under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, as the Commanders rank fourth in rushing (153.5 ypg) and 11th passing (223.5 ypg).

"He's done a great job for them," Fangio said of Daniels, who has only thrown two interceptions. "Kudos to him for what he's been able to achieve. Kudos to the coaches there that are coaching him, because that's not an easy offense to run. ... I think (their) offense fits (their) quarterback.

"We've got to be assignment sound, make sure we always have a guy available to play that quarterback if he pulls it (to run). He'll pull it sometimes with blockers. He'll pull it sometimes with just himself there if you overplay the run. You've got to be assignment sound."

Also returning to his professional roots will be Washington tight end Zach Ertz, who spent nine seasons with the Birds. He has 37 catches for 381 yards and a touchdown. But the Eagles haven't given up a touchdown to a tight end all year.

On the other side of the ball, Washington's defense is fifth against the pass (182.2 ypg) but has struggled against the run, ranking 28th (142.7 ypg).

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The 21-day practice window for Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata (hamstring) to return from injured reserve opened this week. However, this abbreviated week has just been walkthroughs.

"I'm feeling good, just trusting in the daily targets I've been setting," Mailata said. "I'm just trying to prepare for this game. ... Just taking it day by day."

WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), TE Dallas Goedert (ankle) CB Darius Slay (ankle), and LB Nakobe Dean (groin) were all limited on the estimated report. LB/DE Bryce Huff (wrist) was listed as a full participant.

The Commanders have injuries all over the field. Most notably, newly acquired CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) did not participate in walkthroughs, nor did K Austin Seibert (right hip). RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) and LT Cornelius Lucas (ankle), who have not played the last two weeks, were limited.

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Defensive end Vinny Curry, who spent nine seasons in Philadelphia over two stints, including the Super Bowl championship in 2017, will return Thursday to retire as an Eagle. The Birds drafted the Neptune, N.J., native 59th overall in 2012 out of Marshall.

In 2017, he had a career-high 41 QB pressures and 13 tackles for loss. In 2014, he recorded a career-high nine sacks and four forced fumbles. Curry also played for Tampa Bay and the New York Jets during his 11-year pro career.

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