Excluding the last two weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles have had one hell of a season. Now 13-3, the team most recently played the New Orleans Saints in Week 17, breaking a league record as they fight for the NFC East division title.
With the help of Brandon Graham’s tenth sack of the season (and a career-best), the Eagles are now the first team in NFL history to have four players with 10 or more sacks.
EAGLES MAKE HISTORY WITH SACK RECORD
On Sunday, January 1, the Eagles rang in the New Year by setting a team record for the most sacks in a single season — 63.
The game also marked the first time defensive end Brandon Graham made ten sacks. Graham has been with the Eagles for 13 seasons and is the longest tenured athlete in Philadelphia. In 2020, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl and is among nine alternatives this season.
Graham’s tenth sack also sent the Eagles into a bracket of their own, as they became the first team in league history to have four players with ten sacks.
- Brandon Graham: 10
- Javon Hargrave: 11
- Josh Sweat: 11
- Haason Reddick: 16
This season is Hargrave’s third season in Philadelphia, and is also a career-best. With 11 sacks, he is five tackles away from setting a career record.
Sweat, who also has 11 sacks, is playing his best season with 48 combined tackles (31 solo) and 23 quarterback hits.
In Sunday’s game, Sweat attempted to make a tackle in the first quarter, suffering a neck injury. He was stabilized on a stretcher and carted off the field before being taken to the hospital. He was later released, and was said to be moving all his extremities.
Leading the Eagles in sacks, with 16, is Haason Reddick. Reddick was traded to Philadelphia this season, previously playing for the Carolina Panthers. Through 16 games this season, he has 48 total tackles, and a career-best 16 sacks, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. The Philadelphia native was selected for his first Pro Bowl this season.
THE FUTURE OF THE PHILADELPHIA’S DEFENSE
Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat are both contracted through the 2025 season, while Brandon Graham and Javon Hargrave become free agents in 2023.
Previously ranked No.3, the Eagles’ defense is now No. 2 after Week 17. They not only lead in number of sacks, but lead the league with the lowest number of passing yards allowed per game (181.1), and the lowest number of yards allowed per play (4.8).
With one game remaining before the Eagles reach the playoffs, Philadelphia will not be able to sit their starters as they fight for the No. 1 seed. With that, fans will likely see all four players reach even greater heights.
Their Week 18 game is scheduled for Sunday, January 8 against the New York Giants. The time is TBD.
