Cheesehead
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- Mar 19, 2019
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As is customary with Schwartz, his unit once again hangs its hat on pressuring the quarterback. Philadelphia's 36 sacks are tied for second in the league, a big reason the Eagles rank eighth in the league in passing yards allowed and are tied for fifth in third-down efficiency.
Half of those sacks have been turned in by three of Philly's front four – ends Brandon Graham (7) and Derek Barnett (5½) and dynamic All-Pro tackle Fletcher Cox (5½).
"It's a hard, penetrating front," LaFleur said. "We know that's where it starts with this defense."
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has faced a Schwartz defense at least a dozen times in his career and has plenty of respect for this one. He called Graham "a savvy, savvy vet" and Cox a "game-wrecker."
He also tipped a cap to longtime Lions cornerback Darius Slay, who's now Philly's top cover man. Slay and Davante Adams have matched up plenty of times in recent years and all signs would point to Sunday being no different, with Slay coming off a Monday night game in which he was assigned to Seattle's DK Metcalf from start to finish.
"Not every great corner is gonna do star coverage, and for years and years and years he's traveled both sides of the field and in the slot with the best receiver on the other team," Rodgers said.