A Thorough Examination of the Philadelphia Eagles' Defensive Masterclass That Held the Raiders to a Historic Low of 75 Total Yards
The Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) delivered a decisive and necessary performance on Sunday, December 14, 2025, routing the Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) by a score of 31-0 at Lincoln Financial Field. The blowout victory emphatically snapped the Eagles' frustrating three game losing skid and served as a major confidence boost, showcasing a return to the elite form expected of the defending champions, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
The immediate score and summary of the Raiders vs Eagles matchup highlighted a game completely controlled by Philadelphia's offense and defense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts rebounded from a period of struggle to play an exceptionally clean and efficient game, finishing 12-of-15 for 175 yards and three touchdown passes for a stellar passer rating of 154.9. Running back Saquon Barkley complemented the passing attack with a touchdown run, capping an 11 play drive just before halftime to put the Eagles up 17-0. The final score secured the Eagles' first shutout victory in seven years, completely stifling the Raiders' offense for four quarters.
Key stats from the contest underscore the magnitude of the Eagles' defensive performance. Philadelphia’s defense was truly dominant, holding the Raiders to a dismal 75 total net yards for the entire game, with just 46 yards coming on the ground. Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett, making his first start for the injured Geno Smith, managed only 64 passing yards and threw an interception to linebacker Zack Baun in the third quarter. In contrast, the Eagles dominated the line of scrimmage, recording four total sacks, and maintained possession for a staggering 39 minutes and 25 seconds, controlling the entire rhythm of the game.
The strategic element behind the Eagles vs Raiders win was the successful reversion to a more balanced, run heavy offensive attack. The Eagles committed to establishing the ground game, running the ball 33 times with the starters on the field. This commitment to running the ball and short, high percentage passing created manageable third down distances, where the Eagles were outstanding, converting 7-of-9 times with their starting unit. This efficiency allowed Philadelphia to sustain long drives including a 13 play, 67 yard opening drive that resulted in a Dallas Goedert touchdown and systematically wear down the Raiders' defense.
Looking ahead, the future outlook for the Eagles is now much brighter as they improve to 9-5 and maintain a solid hold on the NFC East division lead. The question moving forward is whether the defensive shutout and offensive efficiency can be replicated against playoff caliber teams. The Eagles will aim to carry this renewed momentum and clarity of purpose into their next matchup, seeking a victory that would all but guarantee them the division title.