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-RobMaaddiSwell Flaske Norge . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Swell Flaske 500 Ml . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. http://www.swellflaskenorge.com/ . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Swell Traveler Norge . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. Swell Bottle Norge .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. MALIBU, Calif. -- Calaen Robinson scored 22 points, had five rebounds, five steals and five assists and Portland State beat Pepperdine 91-85 on Sunday.Portland State (2-3) entered the game averaging 94.3 points a game shooting 51.5 percent from the field. The Vikings shot 53 percent (35 for 66) against Pepperdine (4-3).Deontae Norths jumper with 6:50 left put Portland State up 74-64 before Pepperdine went on a 10-4 run and closed to 78-74 with 2:49 to play. Pepperdines Knox Hellums madee two 3s and Lamond Murray Jr.dddddddddddd made a layup off a steal.Bryce Canada made a pair of free throws and Zach Genglers layup pushed the lead back to eight with 2:01 left. The Waves only got as close as four-87-83- on a Murray jumper with 36 seconds left.Chris Reyes-a graduate transfer from Utah-led the Waves with a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. ' ' '