Defensive Strategy against NY

[Denim Chicken]

Commentary by John Andersen @AndersenJA



The HIGHEST passer rating allowed by the Eagles defense – with Christian Parker on-staff – last season?

104.6 to Jaxson Dart in Week 6.

Could Philly’s reaction two weeks later predict CP’s Week 1 gameplan vs. Dart?



In Week 6, 2025, the Eagles deployed:

50.7% man coverage
️ 45.5% blitz rate

Both their HIGHEST rates in a game last season, and that Dart would see all year.

In fact, Dart faced man coverage on 57.5% of snaps in the game – the HIGHEST rate faced by a QB NOT against Jim Schwartz’ Browns defense in 2025.

(Russell Wilson’s lone dropback in this game accounts for the difference in % between Eagles deployment and what Dart actually faced)
Cam Skattebo had a DAY as Philly’s heavy blitz scheme opened up rushing lanes – 19 carries, 98 yards, 3 TDs…

But it was Dart’s performance specifically against man that forced the Eagles to tear up their gameplan two weeks later...
Dart got the ball out QUICK – 2.59 seconds on avg – his quickest avg time to throw of the season.

...and he scrambled.

Only Drake Maye scrambled more often than Dart last season – 10.3% vs. 10.2%.

Dart vs. blitz? 10.2% – HIGHEST rate in the league.
Against Philly’s man coverage, Dart scrambled four times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Defenders’ eyes were off the QB, and Dart took advantage.

Dart vs Man: 9-15, 126 yards




FINAL: NYG 34, PHI 17 (TNF)
What did Vic Fangio, CP & Co. do in the Week 8 rematch?

28.6% Man (More Cover 6, less Cover 1)
️ 9.6% Blitz – LOWEST rate Dart saw in 2025

They sat back and made Dart try to beat them through the air.
Dart Week 8, 2025 vs PHI:

️ Man scrambles: 2 rushes, 9 yards

Avg time to throw: 3.61 seconds
His LONGEST of last season
3rd-longest in a game by ANY QB in 2025





Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury occurred in Q2 of this game and NYG RBs were helpless on the ground.

Dart was fine through the air
No turnovers by either time
Eagles played mistake-free, Saquon went off

FINAL: PHI 38, NYG 20

Research via TruMedia

TLDR:

Dart vs. PHI (Week 6, 2025):

Man: 57.5% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
️ Blitz: 43.8% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 2.59s (QUICKEST of ‘25)

Dart vs. PHI (Week 8, 2025):

Man: 28.6%
️ Blitz: 9.7% (LOWEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 3.61s (LONGEST of ‘25)

• • •

 

[reddyuta]

I dont think we will play 28% Man in any game this year,we are now more comfortable in Zone with CP.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Too many stats I'm so dizzy uhh, just will wait and see what happens Sunday

 

[shabazz]

Too many stats I'm so dizzy uhh, just will wait and see what happens Sunday

Dart has excellent mobility, decent intermediate passing ability and can go "off-script" fairly effectively.

He'll be a good test for our "Christian's Crusaders" * defense.


* patent pending.

 

[fivetwos]

Dart can scramble and keep the chains moving.

Expect better QB play from them, although I’m not all that high on his arm and/or accuracy.

I am extremely concerned about their edge rushers vs our tackles. I figured we can beat them up the gut with a heavy dose of Williams while they concern themselves with our WR, but losing Tyler didn’t help that idea.

Dallas is still better than them, but this spot scares me. We’ve owned them lately, and things are due for correction. New coach, new QB……this fan base is pumped. I have to live within it.

 

[LouBrown]

Good breakdown - I think fundamentally, sitting back and making Dart be cerebral and pick apart zones is the right approach because it mitigates the off-script stuff that he's good at.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Anyone’s guess but I’d anticipate a bit more of a conservative approach for week 1 as we really get to know this defense. Plus for a game like NY it’s not like pressure is on for the defense to win this as a 13-10 type of dogfight. Especially with their best player likely not 100% for this game I’d make them outscore our offense and drive the length of the field. I wouldn’t risk a bunch of blown coverages and opening up scrambling lanes for dart unless you’re getting beat.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I was told there would be no math.

 

[McKDaddy]

Early season matchup so I would employee the Diggs strategy. Everyone avoids tackles. Let them wear themselves out running up & down the field. Perhaps even injuring themselves in their confusion as they search for someone to block.

Once they are lathered & cramping, take advantage of the second stringers. Easy money.

 

[speedkilz88]

Commentary by John Andersen @AndersenJA



The HIGHEST passer rating allowed by the Eagles defense – with Christian Parker on-staff – last season?

104.6 to Jaxson Dart in Week 6.

Could Philly’s reaction two weeks later predict CP’s Week 1 gameplan vs. Dart?



In Week 6, 2025, the Eagles deployed:

50.7% man coverage
️ 45.5% blitz rate

Both their HIGHEST rates in a game last season, and that Dart would see all year.

In fact, Dart faced man coverage on 57.5% of snaps in the game – the HIGHEST rate faced by a QB NOT against Jim Schwartz’ Browns defense in 2025.

(Russell Wilson’s lone dropback in this game accounts for the difference in % between Eagles deployment and what Dart actually faced)
Cam Skattebo had a DAY as Philly’s heavy blitz scheme opened up rushing lanes – 19 carries, 98 yards, 3 TDs…

But it was Dart’s performance specifically against man that forced the Eagles to tear up their gameplan two weeks later...
Dart got the ball out QUICK – 2.59 seconds on avg – his quickest avg time to throw of the season.

...and he scrambled.

Only Drake Maye scrambled more often than Dart last season – 10.3% vs. 10.2%.

Dart vs. blitz? 10.2% – HIGHEST rate in the league.
Against Philly’s man coverage, Dart scrambled four times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Defenders’ eyes were off the QB, and Dart took advantage.

Dart vs Man: 9-15, 126 yards




FINAL: NYG 34, PHI 17 (TNF)
What did Vic Fangio, CP & Co. do in the Week 8 rematch?

28.6% Man (More Cover 6, less Cover 1)
️ 9.6% Blitz – LOWEST rate Dart saw in 2025

They sat back and made Dart try to beat them through the air.
Dart Week 8, 2025 vs PHI:

️ Man scrambles: 2 rushes, 9 yards

Avg time to throw: 3.61 seconds
His LONGEST of last season
3rd-longest in a game by ANY QB in 2025





Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury occurred in Q2 of this game and NYG RBs were helpless on the ground.

Dart was fine through the air
No turnovers by either time
Eagles played mistake-free, Saquon went off

FINAL: PHI 38, NYG 20

Research via TruMedia

TLDR:

Dart vs. PHI (Week 6, 2025):

Man: 57.5% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
️ Blitz: 43.8% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 2.59s (QUICKEST of ‘25)

Dart vs. PHI (Week 8, 2025):

Man: 28.6%
️ Blitz: 9.7% (LOWEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 3.61s (LONGEST of ‘25)

• • •

Two eagles turnovers was the difference in that game.

 

[jazzcat22]

Too many stats I'm so dizzy uhh, just will wait and see what happens Sunday

 

[Coogiguy03]

Dart has excellent mobility, decent intermediate passing ability and can go "off-script" fairly effectively.

He'll be a good test for our "Christian's Crusaders" * defense.


* patent pending.

And he's at home!! Thanks for the honest post, we struggle with players such as this, maybe this year things will be different. I'm not ready to give them a loss already just to be a homer

 

[diamonddelts]

Cowboys time honored defensive strategy = road bump against the run.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Commentary by John Andersen @AndersenJA



The HIGHEST passer rating allowed by the Eagles defense – with Christian Parker on-staff – last season?

104.6 to Jaxson Dart in Week 6.

Could Philly’s reaction two weeks later predict CP’s Week 1 gameplan vs. Dart?



In Week 6, 2025, the Eagles deployed:

50.7% man coverage
️ 45.5% blitz rate

Both their HIGHEST rates in a game last season, and that Dart would see all year.

In fact, Dart faced man coverage on 57.5% of snaps in the game – the HIGHEST rate faced by a QB NOT against Jim Schwartz’ Browns defense in 2025.

(Russell Wilson’s lone dropback in this game accounts for the difference in % between Eagles deployment and what Dart actually faced)
Cam Skattebo had a DAY as Philly’s heavy blitz scheme opened up rushing lanes – 19 carries, 98 yards, 3 TDs…

But it was Dart’s performance specifically against man that forced the Eagles to tear up their gameplan two weeks later...
Dart got the ball out QUICK – 2.59 seconds on avg – his quickest avg time to throw of the season.

...and he scrambled.

Only Drake Maye scrambled more often than Dart last season – 10.3% vs. 10.2%.

Dart vs. blitz? 10.2% – HIGHEST rate in the league.
Against Philly’s man coverage, Dart scrambled four times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Defenders’ eyes were off the QB, and Dart took advantage.

Dart vs Man: 9-15, 126 yards




FINAL: NYG 34, PHI 17 (TNF)
What did Vic Fangio, CP & Co. do in the Week 8 rematch?

28.6% Man (More Cover 6, less Cover 1)
️ 9.6% Blitz – LOWEST rate Dart saw in 2025

They sat back and made Dart try to beat them through the air.
Dart Week 8, 2025 vs PHI:

️ Man scrambles: 2 rushes, 9 yards

Avg time to throw: 3.61 seconds
His LONGEST of last season
3rd-longest in a game by ANY QB in 2025





Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury occurred in Q2 of this game and NYG RBs were helpless on the ground.

Dart was fine through the air
No turnovers by either time
Eagles played mistake-free, Saquon went off

FINAL: PHI 38, NYG 20

Research via TruMedia

TLDR:

Dart vs. PHI (Week 6, 2025):

Man: 57.5% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
️ Blitz: 43.8% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 2.59s (QUICKEST of ‘25)

Dart vs. PHI (Week 8, 2025):

Man: 28.6%
️ Blitz: 9.7% (LOWEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 3.61s (LONGEST of ‘25)

• • •

swarm. stop the run on first downs. force them into obvious passing situation. blanket Nabers and attack Dart.

 

[blueblood70]

Commentary by John Andersen @AndersenJA



The HIGHEST passer rating allowed by the Eagles defense – with Christian Parker on-staff – last season?

104.6 to Jaxson Dart in Week 6.

Could Philly’s reaction two weeks later predict CP’s Week 1 gameplan vs. Dart?



In Week 6, 2025, the Eagles deployed:

50.7% man coverage
️ 45.5% blitz rate

Both their HIGHEST rates in a game last season, and that Dart would see all year.

In fact, Dart faced man coverage on 57.5% of snaps in the game – the HIGHEST rate faced by a QB NOT against Jim Schwartz’ Browns defense in 2025.

(Russell Wilson’s lone dropback in this game accounts for the difference in % between Eagles deployment and what Dart actually faced)
Cam Skattebo had a DAY as Philly’s heavy blitz scheme opened up rushing lanes – 19 carries, 98 yards, 3 TDs…

But it was Dart’s performance specifically against man that forced the Eagles to tear up their gameplan two weeks later...
Dart got the ball out QUICK – 2.59 seconds on avg – his quickest avg time to throw of the season.

...and he scrambled.

Only Drake Maye scrambled more often than Dart last season – 10.3% vs. 10.2%.

Dart vs. blitz? 10.2% – HIGHEST rate in the league.
Against Philly’s man coverage, Dart scrambled four times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Defenders’ eyes were off the QB, and Dart took advantage.

Dart vs Man: 9-15, 126 yards




FINAL: NYG 34, PHI 17 (TNF)
What did Vic Fangio, CP & Co. do in the Week 8 rematch?

28.6% Man (More Cover 6, less Cover 1)
️ 9.6% Blitz – LOWEST rate Dart saw in 2025

They sat back and made Dart try to beat them through the air.
Dart Week 8, 2025 vs PHI:

️ Man scrambles: 2 rushes, 9 yards

Avg time to throw: 3.61 seconds
His LONGEST of last season
3rd-longest in a game by ANY QB in 2025





Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury occurred in Q2 of this game and NYG RBs were helpless on the ground.

Dart was fine through the air
No turnovers by either time
Eagles played mistake-free, Saquon went off

FINAL: PHI 38, NYG 20

Research via TruMedia

TLDR:

Dart vs. PHI (Week 6, 2025):

Man: 57.5% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
️ Blitz: 43.8% (HIGHEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 2.59s (QUICKEST of ‘25)

Dart vs. PHI (Week 8, 2025):

Man: 28.6%
️ Blitz: 9.7% (LOWEST faced in ‘25)
TTT: 3.61s (LONGEST of ‘25)

• • •

Here's the defensive strategy give up under 21 points but I would prefer something around zero And then our offense doesn't have to score 30 how about that let's go defensive strategy Give up as few a points as possible,,lol

 

[Kwyn]

Nice to see some X’s and O’s !

Thanks for sharing

Good news is Parker is likely to run the two-high shell they is the foundation of Fangio style defenses. Fangio defenses are typically bottom five when it comes to blitz rete

Now, Parker also worked on Vance Joseph’s staff in Denver and while Joseph is also rooted in the Fangio style but he has an insane blitz rate.