If you happened to watch the Eagles-Lions game Sunday night, you saw one of the Birds’ best defensive efforts — and arguably one of the league’s premier showings over the past few years.

Remember the game and the date, especially if the Eagles (8-2) reach the Super Bowl. With key wins over both the Packers and Lions, the Eagles’ defense has established itself as the team’s identity, as the league begins its second half of the season.

Many football scribes believe the Eagles’ defense can be a juggernaut the final seven season games and beyond, stressing the best is yet to come.

In this version of the Inside the Huddle column, I will take a look at the Eagles defense — present and past — take a look around the league, and check in with the Fighting Irish.

Caged Lions ... The Green Bay and Detroit games were viewed as the team’s measuring stick this season. Grinding out two key victories in a week certainly has assured any doubters that the Birds can defend their Super Bowl title.

Winning in Green Bay is always difficult, even though the Packers have fizzled after an early start. It was an ugly win, but it was a win.

Manhandling Detroit was a major accomplishment. The Lions entered the game averaging just over 31 points, and quarterback Jared Goff had completed 73 percent of his passes. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the league’s major weapons with inside-the-tackles running and pass-catching abilities.

As it turned out, the Lions never had a chance. Goff was pressured 20 times and was hit seven times. He looked rattled the entire game, completing just 14 of 37 passes for 255 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Gibbs was his primary target catching 12 passes for 107 yards, but he ran for only 39 yards.

More importantly for the Eagles, Goff was 0-for-12 when he was pressured, and at one point completed just two of 18 passes. Incredibly, though, the Eagles batted down five passes with Jordan Davis leading the way with two of them. Another jaw-dropping stat was that the Eagles stopped the Lions on all five of their fourth-down attempts.

It was one of the more dominant efforts Eagles’ fans have seen in quite some time, and this unit may surpass last year’s record-setting one.

Play the Last Four ... The Eagles began the season with a 4-0 record before they were edged by the Broncos, 21-17, at the Linc, and then were upset by the Giants in the Meadowlands.

In their first four games, the Eagles allowed 88 points, but they did hold the Chiefs to 17 points in Kansas City, and held off the Rams on Davis’ blocked field goal, 33-26.

Over their last four games and wins, the Birds unit has further meshed, allowing just 58 points. Minnesota managed a late touchdown, and tallied the most points against them in a 28-22 loss to the Birds.

Along with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio apparently pushing all the correct buttons, the Birds’ acquisitions of corner Michael Carter II and Jaelan Phillips have proved invaluable.

Carter has been an effective nickel and slot corner, as well as surprisingly helping to elevate struggling corner Adoree’ Jackson’s play, and Phillips will be fun to watch.

Phillips certainly brought energy in his debut against the Packers, and he registered the first of the Eagles’ sacks against the Lions. His presence makes the Birds’ edge rushers/linebackers unit one of the deepest in the league.

Recently acquired corner Jaire Alexander abruptly retired, but the Birds also apparently have plenty of depth in the secondary.

Don’t forget fan favorite and grizzled veteran Brandon Graham, who was brought back when Za’ire Smith suddenly exited for depth. However, Graham’s depth isn’t necessarily needed with their recent developments, yet he does provide a much-needed veteran presence.

It’s Getting Cold, Use Your Vics ... Last season, Fangio showed how he is one the game’s legendary defensive coordinators, as he molded the Birds’ unit into one of the league’s elite.

Through 11 games, the Birds’ defense is ranked eighth in points allowed, their run defense is 19th, and their pass defense 15th.

Yet, a telling stat is that they have allowed 162 points through 10 games, while they allowed 179 at the same mark last season. Fangio had his unit energized mostly throughout the season, as the Eagles’ D looked fresh and loose Sunday night.

Over the years, Fangio has been working his magic throughout the league.

In 2023, he had the Dolphins at the top in least yards allowed and third in sacks; in 2018, the Bears led the league in scoring defense, rushing defense and takeaways; and from 2011-14, the 49ers were in the top 10 in points and yards allowed.

Fangio also served as a coordinator with the Texans and Colts, and he was instrumental in helping the Panthers rank high in scoring defense, total defense, and takeaways in their inaugural season.

At every stop in his role since 1995, Fangio has made a difference.

Best of the Rest ... Since 1971, the Eagles have had an array of defensive coordinators. Maybe you’ll remember some of them (years as DC and record).

Jim Carr (1970-71, 9-17-2), John Mazur (1976, 4-10), Marin “Swamp Fox “ Campbell (1977-85, 67-66-1), Wade Phillips (1986-88, 22-21-1), Jeff Fisher (1989-90, 21-11), Bud Carson (1991-94, 36-28), Emmitt Thomas (1994-98, 29-34-1), Jim Johnson (1999-2008, 97-62-1), Sean McDermott (2009-10, 21-11), Juan Castillo (2011-12,11-11), Bill Davis (2013-15, 27-21), Jim Schwartz (2016-20,42-37-1), Jonathan Gannon (2021-22, 23-11) and Sean Desai (2023, 11-6).

Ironically, all of them except Carr, Johnson, Castillo and Desai had various stints as head coaches.

Young at Heart ... Looking at the Eagles roster, they have eight players 30 years or older — Graham (37), Charley Hughlett (35, on the injured list) Jackson (30), Lane Johnson (35), Jake Elliott (30), Gobo Okoronkwo (30, injured list), Dallas Goedert (30) and Matt Pryor (30).

Philly has 14 players on their roster who are 27 years or older. It is really a young team that may have some contract issues down the road.

The Dean’s Office ... Against the Packers and Lions, linebacker Nakobe Dean has begun to show his anticipated high level of play since the linebacker was a third-round pick in the 2022 draft. When he was drafted, Dean was viewed as a generational-type linebacker.

Dean had seven tackles with a sack against the Packers, and had three tackles and a sack against the Lions. However, Dean was able to run in stride with Gibbs on several pass plays and shut him down.

After he was injured in the playoff game against the Packers last year, Dean made his season debut against the Giants in Week 6, but he only played on special teams.

The following week against Minnesota, Dean recorded six tackles, and was instrumental in holding the Vikings to 85 yards rushing.

Since his return, the Eagles’ defense slashed their rushing yards allowed from 127 to 85 yards per game. The Lions were held to 74.

Upon his return, Dean shared time with top pick and often injured Jihad Campbell, but Dean should be getting 30-plus snaps per game.

Golden Ride to Heisman Avenue ... With a heavy quarterback lot on the Heisman Trophy list, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love continues to build momentum. The Irish’s eight-game winning streak, their latest being a 37-15 rout of Pitt, has helped raise Love’s status.

Love rushed for 147 yards against Pitt, and has had a busy five weeks. He accumulated 228 yards against USC, and netted 136 yards against Boston College. Even though Love looms as a longshot for the Heisman, he is doing his part to keep the ninth-ranked Irish (8-2) in the running for a FCS playoff spot.

If it wins its final two games against Syracuse and Stanford — who have a combined 6-14 record — Notre Dame will be highly considered for a playoff spot. Its lone two losses were to top-ranked teams by a combined four points.

Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Georgia and Mississippi are currently considered locks for a playoff spot.

The Irish will close out their home schedule against Syracuse Saturday, and hold an 8-3 advantage in the series. Syracuse’s last win was in 2008, when it edged Notre Dame, 24-23, at South Bend.

Topping Off ... Here is one man’s view of the top five teams heading into Week 12. All five teams easily can be shuffled around.

1. Broncos (9-2) - They answer their critics by scalping the Chiefs. They have quietly won nine straight.

2. Rams (9-2) - This is another team that just seems to cruise along. Strong on both sides of the ball, and Matthew Stafford has thrown 27 touchdown passes.

3. Eagles (8-2) - Birds doing it with their defense, while their offense sputters. They desperately want to get Saquon Barkley in gear.

4. Patriots (9-2) - They easily could be higher. Quarterback Drake Maye is an MVP candidate.

5. Colts (9-2) - Had a bye week, and it will be interesting to see how they come out in Kansas City, which faces a must-win situation.

Bottoming Out ... Here is one man’s opinion of the five worst team heading into Week 12 (worst to fifth worst)

1. Titans (1-9) - They have lost five straight, and are the lone team with one win. Fans need to go to the Grand Ole’ Opry.

2. Raiders (2-8) - Former Eagles’ head coach Chip Kelly is their offensive coordinator, and their offense looks like Kelly’s Eagles’ offense.

3. Giants (2-9) - Jameis Winston revived the offense, but the Giants’ run defense is atrocious. Penn State defensive phenom Abdul Carter is looking more like a bust.

4. Browns (2-8) - Shedeur Sanders made his debut, and we were reminded why he was drafted in the fifth round.

5. Saints (2-8) - Will Arch Manning take over his grandfather Archie’s revered status in the Big Easy? That would make some good copy.

What’s Your Fantasy? ... Heading into Week 12, here are some fantasy plays you may entertain:

Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. Panthers; Kyle Monangai, Bears vs. Steelers; Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Cardinals; Christian Watson, Packers vs. Vikings; and A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Cowboys.

Time Passages ... Each column, I look back at a former game, coach or situation.

In keeping with the defensive theme, the 1948 Eagles blanked the Cardinals in the NFL Championship Game, 7-0, limiting them to 131 total yards, and the following year, they shut out the Rams in the title game, 14-0, corralling them to 119 yards.

During a 2018 game in Washington, the Eagles held the Redskins to 89 total yards in a 24-0 victory that lifted them into the playoffs.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com