Looking for a Hero? It’s Vic, not Nick
November 17, 2025
I was incredulous. I’m pretty sure, so were you. For the second time in two games, Nick Sirianni did something so illogical – OK, so stupid – I was sure the Eagles head coach and his team would have to pay for this latest episode of temporary insanity.
They didn’t. Again, Vic Fangio and his remarkable defense covered for the luckiest man in professional sports. Buoyed by the two monuments in the middle of the line (Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis) and the amazing young talent behind them, the Eagles held on for a 16-9 win over the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night.
How good are Fangio and his defense performing these days?
Let’s count the ways:
- They held the Packer and Lions to a combined 16 points in the past two games, allowing the Birds to win both despite scoring only 26 themselves.
- The most accurate passer in the NFL (74% completion rate), Jared Goff, completed only 14 of 37 throws on Sunday, including an interception that gave the Eagles an early three points.
- One of the most dangerous running offenses in the NFL this season, the Lions managed only 3.7 yards per carry (18 for 66 yards) against Fangio’s inspired unit.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, a terror for enemy defenses all season, managed two catches for 12 yards in the wind at the Linc.
- The Lions failed on all five fourth-down attempts and went just 3 for 13 on third downs. Nothing worked on offense. Nothing.
A few paragraphs ago, I referred to Nick Sirianni as the luckiest man in professional sports. Here’s why I believe that: The guy has an insane 62-25 record as an NFL head coach, including two Super Bowls and one championship, and he remains such an enigma, not even the most loyal fans can say with conviction that he knows what he’s doing.
A week ago, his decision to try a long pass down the sideline on fourth down late against Green Bay gave the Packers a short field to tie or win the game. Fangio’s defense rescued the coach from his idiocy by stepping up in the big spot.
And on Sunday, Sirianni tried to top himself by dialing up a Tush Push, ahead 16-6, on fourth down from his own 30-yard line late in the game. When it failed, the strategic blunder handed the Lions their final three points but was not fatal.
If you are waiting for an explanation of either ridiculous decision, forget it. All you will be getting is a typical Sirianni word salad for lunch. The only thing he’s worst at than big decisions in key moments is trying to explain them afterwards.
I have given up trying to understand Sirianni’s amazing success. He acts like a clown on the sidelines, his offenses perform well only when they have a talented coordinator (Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore) running them, he seems lost when trying to adjust to what’s happening in a game and he holds the worst news conferences in Philadelphia sports history.
Did I mention he’s 62-25?
Whatever Nick plans to give his defensive coordinator for Christmas this year, he should double it because Fangio is becoming human white-out for the miscalculations of his overrated boss.
And thanks to GM Howie Roseman, Fangio has a phenomenally talented group of players to coach. The acquisition of OLB Jaelen Phillips from Miami before the trade deadline was the final flourish of Roseman’s work creating perhaps the most talented Eagles defense ever.
I know, I know. How can I say that when I was there, covering the late 1980s Eagles– who had Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Seth Joyner, Wes Hopkins and Andre Waters – presided over by one of the great defensive minds of all time, Buddy Ryan?
Hey, those guys were amazing. But these guys are deeper, adept at every position and extraordinary at a few. There are no huge names like White or Joyner, but they work brilliantly as a unit. They may not be at the level of those Ryan defenses quite yet, but they are definitely approaching it.
Fangio joined the Birds two years ago after one controversial season with the Dolphins, many of whom were relieved to see the crusty old-timer leave for Philly. Now we know the truth. Those Miami defenders working under Fangio were losers, unwilling to pay the price for success,
The Eagles embrace the challenges their coach brings to them. The best example this season is Jordan Davis, who has a new body and a new attitude. With better conditioning and a renewed commitment to listen to his coaches, Davis has become the ideal complement to his Georgia linemate, Jalen Carter.
And unlike wide receiver A.J Brown – who needed a personal pep talk from owner Jeff Lurie last week – Fangio’s players need no intervention to listen to him. After the DC noticed that Goff threw the ball with a low trajectory at times, he trained Davis and Carter how to swat down balls launched in that manner. They smacked down five passes at the line on Sunday.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the struggles continue under novice coordinator Kevin Patullo. The evidence is building that he has no clue how to call plays.
For example, his first four scripted plays in the first quarter were passes into a 35-mph wind. This is not logical. Two of the four were to Brown, who was targeted – ready for this? – 11 times under those gusty conditions. A.J. sulked his way back into the good graces of Patullo.
Unfortunately, Brown managed only 46 yards on seven catches against a Lions secondary missing three of its starters. Surrendering to player complaints is not a great way to coach. Dialing up so many low-percentage throws in the wind is downright dumb.
Yes, the Eagles just keep winning. Yes, Sirianni’s career record just keeps getting better. And yes, the Eagles are situated for a serious run at another Super-Bowl win.
But there’s something about Philadelphia that distinguishes us from most of the other NFL cities. We understand football. We know who is serving us well, and who isn’t.
Why are the Eagles 8-2 this season?
It’s Vic, not Nick.
Unfinished business:
- Is there any NFL game NBC’s Cris Collinsworth doesn’t ruin with his incessant blabber? Hey, I’ll admit there were moments on Sunday night when he shed some light on the inner workings of the team strategies, but he consistently buries that wisdom in an avalanche of platitudes and stupid wisecracks. He’s going to retire soon, no?
- The Lions proved that the Tush Push is not automatic if the coaches on the other team actually devise a way to counteract it. I respect that Detroit head coach Dan Campbell supports the Eagles’ special QB sneak, especially now that he proved he could stop it. It’s time for the other coaches to stop bitching and figure it out, too.
- Jalen Hurts had another so-so game in the wind against Detroit, but he has become better and better at protecting the ball. The Eagles almost always win the turnover battle, and that’s one of the biggest reasons for their 8-2 record.
- I admire the astonishing career Lane Johnson has had, but his inability to stay on the field is becoming a serious concern. By my unofficial count, Sunday was the fourth time in 10 games he had to leave early, this time with a foot injury. He’s 35 now, and it shows.
- Special thanks are in order for Lo Van Pham, the blind official who called pass interference on Lions CB Rock Ya-Sin with 1:51 left, thereby denying Detroit of a final possession. For once, Collinsworth was right when he said the flag was “absolutely terrible.” Actually, it appeared that A. J. Brown was initiating most of the hand-fighting before the ball floated over both his and Ya-Sin’s heads. So, thank you, ref. Much appreciated.