The Mystery of the Eagles Defense at Home

[RandyMossIsBoss]

This is a well known phenom among Eagles fans, and probably most recent road opponents as well, but I'm not sure how much the rest of the league knows about what has been going on in Philly. Since last year, the defense has been on a stretch where they are simply dominant at home. The defense away from home? Mediocre. This isn't a validation thread, we don't need anyone telling us how impressive this home stand has been, it's to discuss why this is occurring (or occurs, if it's happened before) 

A) Can you think of another team that was dominant defensively at home, and then flat out mediocre on the road? Plenty of teams (LOB Hawks come to mind) have been equally shutdown at home, but they were also still a very strong D on the road.

B) What is your theory as to why this is happening? Or do you chalk it up 100% to standard HFA + weaker offenses played at home?

 

The Eagles last 9 games at home

• 8-1 record (8-0 when starters aren't benched)
• Allowed:
  • 10.8 PPG
  • 255.7 YPG
  • 33 of 122 on 3rd down (27%)
  • 3 of 13 on 4th down (23.8%)
  • 4 TDs on 21 red zone trips (19%)
  • 9 TDs on 108 drives (8.3%)
    • only 3 allowed in the 2nd half
      • only 1 allowed in 2nd half with our starters on the field

 

The Eagles last 9 games away from home

• 7-2 record
• Allowed
  • 25.7 PPG 
  • 382.7 YPG 
  • 44 of 109 on 3rd down (40.4%)
  • 2 of 7 on 4th down (28.6%)
  • 18 TDs on 27 red zone trips (67%)

 

 

At home, the Eagles have played the Colts (2018), Falcons (2018), Vikings, Falcons, Cowboys, Raiders, Bears, Broncos and 49ers.

Average offensive DVOA rank, not including 2018 teams: 16.4

 

Away from home, the Eagles have played the Bucs (2018), Pats (neutral), Giants, Rams, Seahawks, Cowboys, Panthers, Chargers and Chiefs.

Average offensive DVOA rank, not including 2018 teams: 10.3

 

 

So, per DVOA rankings, the offenses played away from home have been a good bit better.... but does that really explain allowing 15 PPG more? Over 100 YPG more? Nearly 5x as many red zone TDs on only 6 extra trips? Why at home did they shut down potent Falcons and Vikings offenses in back to back weeks, and then 2 weeks later in the SB have a historically bad performance? Why did they let the lowly Giants torch them for 29 points and 500 yards away from Philly, and then over the next 2 weeks hold the Cowboys and Raiders to a combined 16 points and less than 600 yards? Any theories?

[DingoLadd]

Look at the QBs your team played at home vs. on the road.