What has kept the Eagles undefeated in the first three weeks of the season? It's their stellar defense. With Darius Slay holding down opposing teams' wide receivers, the Eagles have their perfect record still intact, with their latest 25-11 victory over Tampa Bay.
While Slay has been impressive, the standout performance of rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter has also been crucial to the Eagles' elite defense. Carter's ability to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage has been exceptional. One play, in particular, drew widespread acclaim - when Carter forcefully stripped the ball from Buccaneers running back Rachaad White. In addition to this electric forced fumble, Carter recorded five pressures, a quarterback hit, and 0.5 sacks. An incredible game from the 22-year-old.
After the game, Slay praised his defensive teammate, using colorful language to express his admiration. “That is a grown man. This sh*t [Carter's early career start] is crazy,” Slay said, per Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Adding Jalen Carter to the Eagles' already impressive defensive lineup has made them an even more formidable unit. Despite concerns about his off-field behavior and a less-than-impressive showing at the NFL Draft Combine, Carter has proven his worth on the field. The Eagles have put him in positions to succeed, and at just 22 years old, he is poised to be a key contributor to the team's defense for years to come.
As Darius Slay mentioned, Carter may still have even more incredible feats in store as he continues to acclimate to the professional level. The Eagles have found a gem in Carter, and his impact on their defense cannot be understated.
