2 Giants rookies needed just one game to prove Eagles' defense plays too soft

A calling card of this Philadelphia Eagles defensive unit for years, especially in both recent Super Bowl triumphs, has been an unwavering physicality. Rarely beaten at the point of attack, swarming to the ball, punishing ball carriers. Toughness and tenacity in spades, with a propensity for winning convincingly in the trenches.

Yet in a disheartening display against the host New York Giants in Week 6 - one that saw rookie Cam Skattebo gash them on the ground to the tune of three rushing touchdowns - missed tackles, poor technique, and downright questionable effort reared its ugly head in a dismal defensive showing for the defending Super Bowl champions.

In an ominous foreshadowing of what was to come at MetLife Stadium, star defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a late scratch with a heel injury. Judging from the collective effort rendered by the Eagles' defensive unit, though, it's tough to say the presence of Carter would have mattered much.

Once the contest kicked off, the duo of Skattebo and fellow rookie Jaxson Dart sliced and diced Philadelphia on the ground, with Dart scampering to paydirt early on amid a lackluster pass rush and a parting of the sea right down Broadway for six.

Meanwhile, Skattebo proved to be a battering ram who would not be denied, outmuscling numerous defenders, including Zack Baun, Reed Blankenship, and Andrew Mukuba, amongst others. When several defenders seemingly had him dead to rights, the rookie running back buckled down and blasted his way towards multiple hard-fought first downs and three touchdowns.

When all was said and done, the rookie duo for Big Blue accounted for 174 yards on the ground. Eagles defenders whiffed at ankles, got carried for additional yardage, and just underperformed as a whole. Simply put, the Eagles' defense got out-muscled and outworked all evening.

How Eagles must get better after embarrassing loss to Giants

"We gotta be better in all phases,” said rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who finished with seven tackles. “That’s what we’re going to keep striving for. That’s what we’re destined to do. I think that’s the biggest thing."

For a group that's now dropped two in a row following a 4-0 start, most of the headlines and soundbites have revolved around the increasingly alarming issues on the offensive side of the ball, and rightfully so. And injuries suffered to the likes of Carter and star corner Quinyon Mitchell are costly, of course.

Edge Nolan Smith Jr. is another standout hobbled by injury. But the physicality and tenacity that came to define the most brutal Eagles squads are lacking. It has to be a next man up mentality, and it stems from preparation, effort, and toughness.

A road date in Minnesota awaits, and a return to physicality is paramount if this defense plans on righting the ship.