The Zack Baun Week 1 Breakdown
In Week 1 against the Packers in São Paulo, Eagles linebacker Zack Baun delivered an all-time defensive breakout. Traditional stats recorded 15 total tackles (11 solo) and two sacks, but the advanced leverage index revealed even greater value.
Both sacks halted drives inside two-minute territory, denying Green Bay a game-winning touchdown or high-percentage field goal. This high-leverage defensive performance earned him Tom Brady's inaugural 2026 #LFG Player of the Game honor.
Why defensive players rarely win Player of the Game
Quarterbacks and wide receivers produce gaudy counting stats (300 yards, 3 touchdowns). However, defensive EPA (Expected Points Added) shows that a strip-sack or a 4th-down tackle for loss can generate a higher single-snap swing (+4.5 points) than an ordinary offensive touchdown.
How Expected Points Added (EPA) is calculated here
EPA quantifies the change in expected scoring value before and after each snap based on down, distance, yardline, and game clock. A sack on 3rd & 2 at the opponent 35-yard line pushes the offense out of field goal range, resulting in a dramatic negative EPA for the offense (positive for the defense).