Darius Slay reveals big difference between current Eagles defense vs. 2022

It’s no secret the now-No. 1 ranked Eagles defense has been phenomenal this year. Veteran cornerback Darius Slay went on FS1’s The Facility to discuss the team’s improvements and was asked what the key difference is between this year’s defense and the 2022 unit that went to the Super Bowl.

Darius Slay revealed the most significant difference is how balanced the Eagles defense is this year:

.@bigplay24slay on why this years Eagles are different than the 2022 Super Bowl team:

“We’re a lot more balanced. Our whole defense is a tone setter.” pic.twitter.com/46gSbBsKlJ

— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) November 19, 2024

Big Play Slay is 100% spot on with this. I mean, he’d know better than we do; he’s on the team, but you get my point.

The Eagles have always been built inside out on both sides of the ball. Dominating the line of scrimmage is part of this team’s DNA, but we’ve often seen the defensive line be literally the only way the defense can get stops.

This year’s defense still has talent up front, don’t get me wrong, but there’s talent all over the field. The D-line doesn’t need to compensate for a weak backend like they have in years past.

Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean have proven to be studs at the linebacker position. Adding rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell to the cornerback room has completely transformed the secondary into a plus unit on this defense.

Vic Fangio is the puppetmaster pulling the strings behind the scenes. And his defensive group is perfectly balanced, as all things should be.

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