The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense went from one of the NFL’s worst to the league’s best after handing the unit over to Vic Fangio.
Fangio will be depended on to get the Birds some big wins with a tough schedule ahead. Which are the top coaching chess matches he faces in 2025?
Week 2: At Kansas City Chiefs
On the biggest stage, Fangio delivered against one of the league’s toughest foes. In the most crucial moments of football games, Kansas City Chiefs head coach and play-caller Andy Reid comes up big. With the league’s second-best success rate (51.2%) on third and fourth downs after trading star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs often look vulnerable, only to be unstoppable.
But Fangio came to play in the Super Bowl. A usually grounded Chiefs offense was getting pressured into oblivion and making crucial mistakes. Kansas City demoralizes its opponents by consistently moving the chains, but Reid’s best tricks were thwarted easily by the Eagles’ veteran defensive coordinator. Philadelphia once led 34–0.
Super Bowl LIX was a full-blown embarrassment for Reid and the Chiefs’ offense. Perhaps the worst performance of the longtime coach’s career. Now, he’ll get a chance at redemption on his home turf. The Reid-Fangio chess match in Week 2 is one that America will have its eyes on.
Week 3: Vs. Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay rose to fame in the NFL for being one of the youngest and brightest offensive minds in the game. Today, that holds true. Though the Eagles dominated his squad on the road in Week 12, leading 37–14 until a last-minute touchdown drive by Los Angeles, their Divisional Round matchup was far tighter. In fact, the Birds’ season was on the verge of ending.
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Sure, much of the game took place with snow on the field, but Fangio lived up to his end of the bargain. Up 28–15 with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, fresh off a long Saquon Barkley touchdown, the game seemed to be over. But the Rams struck quickly, the Eagles’ next drive fizzled, and suddenly, the Rams were in a position to win the game with a touchdown.
After a dazzling pass and catch from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua, the Rams had a first down just outside the red zone and 1:25 showing on the clock. For the first time all game, it felt like Los Angeles was going to win. But then, Jalen Carter happened. Sacking Stafford on third and short, everything flipped on its head. Facing a fourth and 11 with the clock running, a harmless incompletion sent Philadelphia to the NFC Championship. The rematch should be a fun one.
Week 4: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No team has had the Eagles’ number more in recent seasons than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles have a 16–2 record since Week 4 of last season, with one defeat being a tight road loss to the Washington Commanders after Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion. The other was in blowout fashion to the Buccaneers.
Fortunately for the Eagles, former offensive play-caller Liam Coen is now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, it’s a battle between Fangio and Josh Grizzard. However, the same offensive pieces remain, and Grizzard was with the team last season, so perhaps not too much is changing here.
The Eagles’ path to victory will be through their defense. If Fangio can win this chess match, the Birds likely win the game—it’s simple.
Week 11: Vs. Detroit Lions
Even though former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now head-coaching the Chicago Bears, this is a heavyweight bout. Last season, Detroit led the NFL in points scored, while Philadelphia was second in points allowed.
It’s possible that both teams trade offensive blows, but it’s equally likely that the defenses come up clutch. The game may be decided by the Lions’ offensive coordinator, John Morton, and the Eagles’ Fangio. These teams haven’t seen each other since Week 1 of the 2022 season (following Detroit’s 3–13–1 campaign), so this one should be highly anticipated.
Week 17: At Buffalo Bills
Lastly, we have the Buffalo Bills. Since Joe Brady was hired as the team’s interim offensive coordinator, Buffalo has a 22–7 record. Boasting arguably the most potent offensive attack in the NFL, Fangio will have his hands full with this one. But if he could dismantle Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, the same can be done to Josh Allen.
Funnily enough, Brady’s first loss came to the Eagles, 37–34 in overtime. Fangio will have to look deep in his bag to shut down the Bills’ offense, especially if there are division title or top-seed implications. The Chiefs’ Steve Spagnuolo is really the only coordinator in the league who consistently keeps Buffalo’s high-flying offense in check (well, at least enough to win)—can Fangio be the next?
Will Fangio come out ahead in these matchups?
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Tags: Andy Reid Ben Johnson Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Carter Jalen Hurts Joe Brady Josh Allen Josh Grizzard Kansas City Chiefs Liam Coen Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford NFL Patrick Mahomes Philadelphia Eagles Puka Nacua Saquon Barkley Sean McVay Steve Spagnuolo Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vic Fangio Washington Commanders
Categorized:Eagles