The Eagles have rounded into a top-five defense this season, allowing -0.14 EPA/play against the pass and the run. Since the insertion of rookie Cooper DeJean into the starting lineup as a slot corner, Philadelphia has run nickel at one of the highest rates in the NFL. Combine that with their league-leading light box rate (69.7%), and their formula is clear: rely on four-man fronts and light boxes to stop the run and rush the passer while maintaining a numbers advantage in coverage.
The Ravens need to beat them at their own game by exploiting their own numbers advantage in the run game.