If there is one area where we should see vast improvement in 2016, it should be in the play of the Eagles’ defense. I’m talking about almost a worst-to-first type of improvement, at least statistically.
I’m not saying they will have the No. 1 ranked defense, but they certainly have the potential to be a top 10 unit.
Last year, the defense finished the season rated as one of the worst in the league. Here is where they ranked overall in the main categories…
Total yards: 30th
Passing yards: 28th
Rushing yards: 32nd
Points allowed: 28th
Red zone defense: 31st
However, being that the Eagles’ defense had the unique disadvantage of a Chip Kelly quick 3-and-out offense leading to more drives for the Eagles to defend, here’s a look at some per-drive stats (via Football Outsiders)…
Points per drive: 23rd
Yards per drive: 21st
Plays allowed per drive: 23rd
Time of possession allowed per drive: 27th
TDs per drive allowed: 24th
Red Zone points allowed per drive: 31st
Red Zone TDs allowed per drive: 31st
Drive success rate allowed: 24th
(drive success rate is described as the percentage of drives allowed that result in a first down or a touchdown)
As you can see, they were just marginally better when considering the per-drive outlook.