Week 13 Stud of the Week

Stud of the Week: Zack Baun Anchors the Eagles’ Defense in Week 13

Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season showcased a defensive masterclass from Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Zack Baun. Facing a dangerous Baltimore Ravens team, Baun delivered a standout performance that was instrumental in the Eagles’ 24-19 victory. Let’s break down his game, play by play, to understand why he’s our Stud of the Week.

Baun’s Dominant Stats

• Total Tackles: 13

• Solo Tackles: 10

• Tackles for Loss: 1

• Forced Fumbles: 1

• Sacks: 0.5

Baun was a disruptive force all game, neutralizing Baltimore’s rushing attack and delivering clutch plays in key moments.

Key Moments from Baun’s Game

1. Forced Fumble in the Red Zone

In the second quarter, with the Ravens inside the Eagles’ 10-yard line, Baun read an inside handoff to Gus Edwards, burst through the gap, and delivered a punishing hit that not only stopped the play but forced a critical fumble. This turnover was a turning point, shifting momentum and keeping Baltimore from building an early lead.

2. The Sack That Should Have Been His

Midway through the third quarter, Baun blitzed off the edge on a third-and-long. While officially credited with half a sack, replay showed Baun driving Lamar Jackson into the turf while another defender arrived late. Eagles fans and Baun himself probably feel this should’ve been a solo highlight on his stat sheet.

3. Closing Speed in Open Field Tackles

Baun’s ability to track down elusive runners was on full display. In the fourth quarter, he showcased his sideline-to-sideline speed by shutting down a designed screen pass to Keaton Mitchell, holding the Ravens to a mere two-yard gain. These kinds of plays are why he’s considered the heart of the Eagles’ linebacker corps.

Football IQ and Play Recognition

Baun consistently demonstrated elite instincts, diagnosing plays with lightning speed. He sniffed out read-option plays—Almost unstoppable with Lamar Jackson—before they could develop.  It can not be overstated how absolutely bonkers his IQ is for an inside linebacker considering NEVER PLAYED THE POSITION BEFORE THIS YEAR!

Physicality and Technique

Whether shedding blocks or delivering textbook tackles, Baun’s physicality set the tone for the Eagles’ defense. His forced fumble was the result of perfect technique: punching at the ball while maintaining leverage on the runner.  We would be remiss if we didn't at least acknowledge Vic Fangio running a 5-man line on early downs to prevent lineman from getting to the second level and disrupting linebacker flow to the ball.  And Jalen Carter gobbling up double teams on 80% of snaps also helps.

Leadership in the Middle

As the Eagles’ inside linebacker, Baun acted as the quarterback of the defense. His communication(along with Nakobe Dean) and awareness has been off the charts.

The Bigger Picture

Baun’s performance wasn’t just a great game; it cemented his role as a cornerstone(possibly defensive MVP for the team) of the Eagles’ defense. With Philadelphia pushing for playoff seeding in a highly competitive NFC, Baun’s ability to make game-changing plays could prove decisive in the weeks ahead.

Looking Ahead

Zack Baun’s Week 13 heroics helped the Eagles improve to 10-2 on the season. If his performance against Baltimore is any indication, he’s poised to be a key factor in Philadelphia’s postseason aspirations.

Note to Howie:  Sign this guy to an extension yesterday.  If you let him walk, Philadelphia might full-on riot in the streets.

Congratulations to Zack Baun, our Stud of the Week!