PHOENIX (AP) — The defensive philosophy that brought the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl is relatively simple.
A deep rotation of defensive linemen puts constant pressure and makes opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable, often ending them on the ground.
“It’s always a competition with quarterbacks,” defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. “We see every week that we have to get the right to rush the quarterback and everyone is on board with that.”
Few teams have acquired quarterbacks this season as often as the Eagles, who are approaching the most prolific season in the NFL when it comes to sacks.
That’s the formula the Eagles (16-3) hope to replicate on Sunday against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (16-3).
“Whenever you play these great quarterbacks, you have to influence them because you can’t have them play 7-on-7 here.” We know we have a great D-line, but we have to prove it every week. I am excited.”
It’s not easy when Mahomes has a clumsy ankle.He’s the league’s best quarterback in avoiding sacks this season, with only 10.2% pressure to convert to sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. bottom.
Mahomes was sacked three times during the Super Bowl game against Tampa Bay two years ago for constantly running around behind a battered line.
Kansas City has strengthened its line since then, but Mahomes knows it will be difficult against the Eagles.
“They’re going like a historic sack rate and can get to quarterbacks,” Mahomes said. Trying to do what our offensive line can do will be a big challenge.”
Philadelphia had 70 sacks following the regular season, the third-most all-time, and 8 all-time sacks in the playoffs. His 78 sacks in the regular season and playoffs combined are surpassed only by Chicago’s Monsters of the Midway, who recorded 82 sacks in 1984 and 80 the following season.
The Eagles benefited from their 17th regular season game, but their sack rate is also quite impressive. They sacked the quarterback at his 11.5% of dropbacks this season, and the Vikings did it with his 12.2% of dropbacks, his highest percentage in a season since 1989.
“Being part of a pass rush where everyone has a chance to eat is the best thing,” star defensive end Harson Reddick said. Everyone has a chance to raise their status Everyone has a chance to make an impact at the end of the day It’s crazy when you have a D line like us All it takes is one person playing and everyone’s energy just rolling in.”
Philadelphia is spreading its wealth with four players reaching double figures in the regular season: Reddick (16), Javon Hargrave (11), Josh Sweat (11) and Graham (11).
But Reddick is the one who sets the tone. He recorded 1 and 1/2 his sacks on the first drive of a divisional round win against the Giants, and on his first drive of the NFC Championship game, San Francisco’s quarterback blocked his had a strip sack that injured Purdy’s elbow.
For Reddick, it was part of a fairytale season ending where he started his NFL career. Reddick, his first-round pick from Arizona in 2017, often played out of position as his off-ball linebacker, and in the first three of his seasons he only stayed on 7.5 of his sacks. , struggled early in his career.
Reddick had three consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks in his final year with the Cardinals, his year with Carolina, and this season in Philadelphia. He took root in childhood.
“For me, it’s a dream,” said Reddick. “I got to live it every day, and that in itself is a blessing. .
Now Reddick is looking for one final achievement to add to this memorable season. That is to sack Mahomes with a Super Bowl win.
“He’s one of the quarterbacks in the league that I haven’t fired or gotten yet,” he said. “If I can keep up with him and put him in the Super Bowl, it will be historic for me.”
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AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta contributed to this report
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