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PHILADELPHIA -- No pass rush, poor coverage and sloppy penalties have turned a strong defense into one of the NFLs worst in a short span.The Philadelphia Eagles (5-7) have lost three straight games by an average margin of 14.3 points per game. While the offense has reasons for struggling -- rookie quarterback, injuries to their leading rusher and top receiver -- the defense has no excuses.Its the same group that was ranked sixth in the NFL after nine games.For nine weeks you probably could not mention best defenses in the NFL without mentioning the Eagles, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. The last three, you probably cant mention worst defenses in the NFL without mentioning the Eagles. Hey, facts of life, man. Thats what it is. Same scheme, same players. Were in a slump. We have to own that.When the defense was going well, Schwartz got plenty of positive attention. The former Lions head coach appeared on his way to getting another opportunity to run a team after this season. But now hes taking heat for the defenses struggles and suddenly hes no longer one of the hot coordinators.I think any time things arent going well, youre looking at everything that you can, whether its schemes, whether its individual effort, whether its collective effort. Its a tough situation, Schwartz said.Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton torched the secondary the past two games and neither quarterback was sacked. The Eagles had 20 sacks in the first five games, but have only six in the last six.Fletcher Cox started the season playing like a guy who deserved the big contract ($63 million guaranteed) he signed in the offseason. Cox had four sacks in the first four games but none since Week 5. Vinny Curry signed a deal that included $18 million guaranteed. He has 1 1/2 sacks and has only played 43 percent of the snaps.Schwartz relies on his front four linemen to pressure the quarterback because he doesnt like to blitz. The Eagles simply dont have shutdown cornerbacks who can cover receivers man-on-man without safety help.Sometimes the best answer to being able to cover them is get the ball to come out quicker, Schwartz said. There was a double edge to that, too. If they pick up that blitz, you can get isolated in coverage a lot.The Eagles have shown they can dominate games start to finish on defense. They shut down the Steelers and Falcons, two of the most potent offenses in the league.But theyve allowed 85 points in the past three games and an average of 413 total yards per contest.It has a lot to do with confidence, and we need to get back to that, and they need to know that first nine weeks, they were respected for what they put on tape, and the last three, weve been in a slump, and we need to get back to those first nine, Schwartz said.It wont be easy Sunday against the Redskins (6-5-1). The Eagles lost 27-20 at Washington on Oct. 16, allowing a season-worst 493 total yards, including 230 rushing.The main thing is, as a team, we have to be better, Cox said. With a group like that, we have to play our best game and set the tone against those guys by playing physical and stopping the run.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddiCustom Seattle Mariners Jerseys . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Wholesale Mariners Jerseys . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. https://www.cheapmariners.com/ . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Stitched Mariners Jerseys . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. Fake Mariners Jerseys . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half.NEWARK, Del. -- Zach Bednarczyk threw for four touchdowns as Villanova closed its season with a 41-10 win over Delaware on Saturday.Bednarczyk was 13 of 17 for 195 yards passing for the Wildcats (8-3, 6-2 Colonial Athletic Association). They finish the season two games behind CAA leader James Madison and tied with New Hampshire.Matt Gudzak ran for 121 yards and a score on 13 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass.Bednarczyk threw a 34-yard touchdown to Changa Hodge, a 54-yard scoring strikee to Gudzak and hit Ryan Bell for another touchdown to help lift the Wildcats to a 27-10 lead at halftime.dddddddddddd They held Delaware scoreless in the second half.Joe Walker had 111 yards and a score on 7-of-14 passing for the Blue Hens (4-7, 2-6).It was coach Andy Talleys final regular-season game at Villanova. He has 228 wins in 32 seasons with the Wildcats. ' ' '