In his fourth game back as a member of the Eagles’ defense, Nakobe Dean was incredible in the Eagles’ 16-9 win over the Lions on Sunday Night Football.

Dean ended up with 3 tackles, a sack, 2 QB hits and somehow ran step-for-step with Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams on back-to-back defensive plays in the fourth quarter.

Dean played 40 of 59 defensive snaps (68%) on Sunday night and was an absolute difference maker. While this wasn’t his highest snap total of the season, it was his highest percentage and if Dean keeps playing like this, it’s going to be harder and harder to take him off the field.

Week 11 vs. DET: 40 of 59 snaps (68%)
Week 10 at GNB: 44 of 68 snaps (65%)
Week 8 vs. NYG: 33 of 52 snaps (64%)
Week 7 at MIN: 31 of 69 snaps (45%)

As expected, All-Pro Zack Baun played all 59 snaps on defense against the Lions and then Dean and Jihaad Campbell split the reps after that. Dean played 40 snaps, while Campbell played just 20. Of those 20 snaps, Campbell played 17 at inside linebacker and just three on the edge.

Campbell was a first-round pick and appears to have a very bright future but Dean is just a better option right now. He’s playing at that high of a level.

Other defensive notes

•In addition to Baun, the other Eagles players on defense to play all 59 snaps were Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship, Quinyon Mitchell and Drew Mukuba. Mitchell was thrown at 6 times and didn’t give up a completion. DeJean had his first regular season INT in the NFL.

• At defensive tackle, Jalen Carter played 53 of 59 snaps (90%), followed by Moro Ojomo — 37 snaps (63%), Jordan Davis — 29 snaps (49%) and Byron Young — 6 snaps (10%). Carter and Davis combined to bat down five passes; the first was tipped into DeJean’s hands for a pick.

• In his second game as an Eagle, Jaelan Phillips again led the edge rusher rotation. He played 45 of 59 snaps (76%), followed by Jalyx Hunt — 36 snaps (61%), Nolan Smith — 22 snaps (37%) and Brandon Graham — 8 snaps (14%). Phillips played very well again and picked up his first sack as an Eagle. Smith played his second game since returning from IR and it’s clear the Eagles are ramping him back up. He played 28% last week and 37% against the Lions.

• Adoree’ Jackson got his second straight start coming off the bye week and played 57 of 59 snaps. Jackson was in coverage on that 40-yard catch-and-run from Jameson Williams but came back later in the game with a huge third-down pass breakup.

• Newcomer Michael Carter II played one snap in the Eagles’ dime package. It was just one play but it’s another look the Eagles could use going forward.

Offensive notes

• The Eagles entered this game with all five of their starting offensive linemen but that didn’t last long. Lane Johnson played 14 of 72 snaps before leaving with a foot injury. Johnson has a Lisfranc sprain in his foot, but the Eagles are hopeful he’ll be able to return within a 4-6 week window. Cam Jurgens (knee) played 61 of 72 snaps before coming out of the game for Brett Toth.

• Fred Johnson started the game as a tight end in the jumbo package but then filled in for Lane Johnson at right tackle. He played a total of 62 snaps (86%). But the Eagles didn’t scrap their jumbo package after the injury to Lane Johnson. Matt Pryor got four snaps in that tight end role.

• Jalen Hurts, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen played all 72 offensive snaps in a game where the offense had trouble getting much going.

• At receiver, DeVonta Smith led the way with 70 snaps (97%), followed by A.J. Brown — 67 snaps (93%), Jahan Dotson — 23 snaps (32%) and Darius Cooper — 3 snaps (4%). Brown was targeted 11 times but had just 7 catches for 49 yards. Smith had just 1 catch on 5 targets for 8 yards. Dotson had a key 34-yard catch to get the Eagles out of backed-up territory.

• Saquon Barkley played 58 of 72 snaps (81%) but it was tough sledding again. He had 26 carries for 83 yards (3.2 average). Tank Bigsby played just 8 snaps but had 4 carries for 34 yards, including a long of 17. Will Shipley played 7 snaps but didn’t get a touch.

• At tight end, Dallas Goedert played 65 of 72 snaps (90%), followed by Grant Calcaterra — 34 snaps (47%), Kylen Granson — 15 snaps (21%) and Cameron Latu — 1 snap.

• Cooper DeJean got his one snap on offense as the Eagles lined up in victory formation to close out the game.