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The Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 defense went from one of the NFL\u2019s worst to the league\u2019s best after handing the unit over to Vic Fangio.<\/p>\n
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?<\/p>\n
Week 2: At Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n
On the biggest stage, Fangio delivered against one of the league\u2019s 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\u2019s second-best success rate<\/a> (51.2%) on third and fourth downs after trading star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs often look vulnerable, only to be unstoppable.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s best tricks were thwarted easily by the Eagles\u2019 veteran defensive coordinator. Philadelphia once led 34\u20130.<\/p>\n Super Bowl LIX was a full-blown embarrassment for Reid and the Chiefs\u2019 offense. Perhaps the worst performance of the longtime coach\u2019s career. Now, he\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n Week 3: Vs. Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n 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\u201314 until a last-minute touchdown drive by Los Angeles, their Divisional Round matchup was far tighter. In fact, the Birds\u2019 season was on the verge of ending.<\/p>\n Sure, much of the game took place with snow on the field, but Fangio lived up to his end of the bargain. Up 28\u201315 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\u2019 next drive fizzled, and suddenly, the Rams were in a position to win the game with a touchdown.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Week 4: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n No team has had the Eagles\u2019 number more in recent seasons than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles have a 16\u20132 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.<\/p>\n Fortunately for the Eagles, former offensive play-caller Liam Coen is now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The Eagles\u2019 path to victory will be through their defense. If Fangio can win this chess match, the Birds likely win the game\u2014it\u2019s simple.<\/p>\n Week 11: Vs. Detroit Lions<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It\u2019s possible that both teams trade offensive blows, but it\u2019s equally likely that the defenses come up clutch. The game may be decided by the Lions\u2019 offensive coordinator, John Morton, and the Eagles\u2019 Fangio. These teams haven\u2019t seen each other since Week 1 of the 2022 season (following Detroit\u2019s 3\u201313\u20131 campaign), so this one should be highly anticipated.<\/p>\n Week 17: At Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n Lastly, we have the Buffalo Bills. Since Joe Brady was hired as the team\u2019s interim offensive coordinator, Buffalo has a 22\u20137 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.<\/p>\n Funnily enough, Brady\u2019s first loss came to the Eagles, 37\u201334 in overtime. Fangio will have to look deep in his bag to shut down the Bills\u2019 offense, especially if there are division title or top-seed implications. The Chiefs\u2019 Steve Spagnuolo is really the only coordinator in the league who consistently keeps Buffalo\u2019s high-flying offense in check (well, at least enough to win)\u2014can Fangio be the next?<\/p>\n Will Fangio come out ahead in these matchups?<\/p>\n PHOTO: \u2014<\/p>\n Tags: Andy Reid<\/a> Ben Johnson<\/a> Buffalo Bills<\/a> Chicago Bears<\/a> Detroit Lions<\/a> Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> Jalen Carter<\/a> Jalen Hurts<\/a> Joe Brady<\/a> Josh Allen<\/a> Josh Grizzard<\/a> Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> Liam Coen<\/a> Los Angeles Rams<\/a> Matthew Stafford<\/a> NFL<\/a> Patrick Mahomes<\/a> Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> Puka Nacua<\/a> Saquon Barkley<\/a> Sean McVay<\/a> Steve Spagnuolo<\/a> Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> Vic Fangio<\/a> Washington Commanders<\/a> <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753502469_908_IMG_4710.webp\")
<\/a>PHOTO: \u2014<\/p>\n