Rookie DB Kurt Coleman scores a touchdown against the New York Jets in the preseason. Coleman will be counted on for production in the postseason.

If the Eagles want to make a run at a trip to Dallas, the defense must find a way to contribute to the cause more than it is currently.

It will be a tough challenge with so many rookies and young players forced into the spotlight.

Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott talked this week about the challenges he faces with such a young group.

“Well, you know, I think the challenges are obvious,” McDermott said. “Anytime you have a young players that, number one haven’t played or played very much, you worry about execution, you worry about just that they’re able to maintain their composure in a game, and to this point we’ve done a good job with that. And I think the credit goes to the players. They’ve done a good job at working hard at preparing themselves, and the coaches the same, and it goes back to just putting in the time and preparing our players and the players putting themselves in a position where they can be prepared and have success. So we’ve done a good job so far with that.”

The Eagles offense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL going into week 16 with 403.9 yards per game.

Mike Vick is the top rated quarterback in the NFC with a mark of 103.6. LeSean McCoy has 1,587 total yards and a combined 9 touchdowns.

Special teams performed miracles against the New York Giants last week. First it was David Akers’ spectacular onsides kicks in the fourth quarter, recovered buy the Birds that lead the way to one of the comebacks of the ages.

Then, what can be said about DeSean Jackson’s walk-off punt return to win the game that hasn’t already been said?

Akers is No. 1 scoring kicker in the NFL and is No. 3 in the NFL with kickoff touchbacks with 22. 

The defense?  It needs to do a little catching up to do.

The Eagles defense allows 330.4.total yards per game, (13th in NFL rushing, 21st against the pass, 13th overall) the Birds defense has allowed a whopping 339 points this season.

Only the Washington Redskins (343), Dallas Cowboys (396), Carolina Panthers (350), Seattle Seahawks (363) and Arizona Cardinals (370) have allowed more…great company, eh?

The Eagles Red Zone defense is dead last in the entire NFL.

The Eagles defense has given up more passing touchdowns than any other year in franchise history.

Did this dubious statistic have to do with youth in the secondary, lack of pass pressure, or a combination of both?

“Well, there’s a lot that goes into it and you mentioned two of the factors, there, a young defense, a young secondary, and then the pass rush, you can always have more pass rush,” McDermott said. “But I’ll just say this, with those points have come turnovers and it’s hard to have both. Is that what we’re shooting for? Absolutely, we are. But with those turnovers we give the ball back to our offense and we’ve been a factor and one of the reasons why we’re 10-4. Now, am I happy about those points? Absolutely not. Some of those points are coming in the red zone, in addition to the big plays, so we have to get that corrected and we’re working hard at that. So that’s a big goal of ours coming down the stretch here.”

On the positive side, the Eagles are No. 1 in the NFC in take-aways, give-aways with a +14. 

One of the reasons for the poor statistics is injuries. The Eagles lost defensive back Ellis Hobbs for the year at the beginning of the season. Then star corner Asante Samuel went down four weeks ago. Despite missing so many games, Samuel still leads the NFL with seven interceptions and is considered the best route jump artist in the game.

Samuel did play against the Giants but could barely do more than jog. His play is obviously missed.

Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley was lost for the regular season after dislocated his elbow against Dallas on December 12.

Then the Birds lost their two top rookies – DE Brandon Graham and S Nate Allen – for the season.
Now it’s up to young players such as Dimitri Patterson, rookies Jamar Chaney, Kurt Coleman, Trevard Lindley, Colt Anderson and Jeff Owens to step up.

Coleman, who has started a game and seen significant playing time since the injuries started to mount, said the experience can’t be measured.

“It’s crucial,” said Coleman, who was drafted in the seventh round out of Ohio State. “The more reps you get on the field is better for me. I know what it takes to go out there and perform well. Now it’s about me going out there and executing the game plan.”