I had the same sense about the roster comparison - the Eagles are clearly far ahead, but after doing a bit of thinking and poking around, I’m less sure about the gap than I was.
Surprisingly, we’re across the board a better pass rushing D - pressure %, hurry %, QB knockdown %. Of course, they’re far better at limiting scoring, stopping the run, getting takeaways, and are less penalized. So certainly a better D overall. Going player specific, I find it interesting that Armstrong has more pressures than Carter, and then Fowler and Luvu have more pressures than Sweat and Smith.
I think there are some big factors that need to be considered. First off, this is our first year in this D. Secondly, we spent almost the entire year with BSJ or Davis in the lineup. Thirdly, we play very different defensive styles. Our defense is focused first and foremost on not giving up the big play, whereas the Eagles are about limiting the short stuff, including stopping the run. If you can get decent protection, it seems like the Eagles are more likely to give up the big play. I think us playing a lot of 6 man boxes makes our run D look worse than it could be.
I think I like all of their O and D units better than us with the exception of QB, though I think LB might be a push. I’d take our ST over theirs though, sans maybe/probably K. Coverage has been killing it outside the one Dallas game, and McCaffrey/Crowder have been really good on returns.
At individual positions, I think I’d take Ekeler over Gainwell, Chinn and Gardner are close I think, I’m not sure who their slot receiver is offhand, so maybe we get the edge there, ditto slot corner? Center may be a push? With Lattimore in the game, I’m not sure I take Mitchell/Dejean over him and Sainristil (though I can see the argument).
I guess overall, it might be a lot closer than it initially appears. Crucially though, they have a damn good DT in Carter, 2 excellent receivers, a superior oline, and one of the best backs in football. I like our depth at running back, receiver, DT, DE, OT, and (to an extent) S, though we’re lacking interior oline depth.
Beyond Daniels, I think this team’s superpower is the culture that’s been carefully built. A top down vision that has built a bond between players and coaches, and a brotherhood among the players. That, coaching adjustments, and how this staff is extremely intentional in how they put guys into positions to succeed, and not asking them to do things they’re uncomfortable with. So overall, yeah, the Eagles have a superior roster, but the unquantifiable puts us on their level.
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