Philadelphia Eagles' Doug Pederson has faith in Jim Schwartz, defense

After collecting 20 sacks in their first six games, the Philadelphia Eagles have just six in the last six contests and none the last two weeks in losses to the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is not a big proponent of blitzing. He prefers to use his front four to get pressure on the quarterback and drop seven back into coverage.

Schwartz has called for blitzes less than 20 percent this season, which is among the least in the league. But teams are using quick passes or an extra blocker to counter the Eagles' four-man rush.

"The reason I brought Jim Schwartz here is because he has the ability - and he's done it with different teams - to put pressure with four (rushers)," Doug Pederson said. "I mean, that's been his philosophy. That's been our philosophy ever since (he was hired).

"I think if you start - I don't want to say panic - but if you start trying to re-scheme things and do things a little bit out of the norm of what you sort of have your game plans and your philosophy based around, you're going to give up something to get something.

"So, if you're going to start putting pressure on the quarterback with five or six guys, then you're asking your back end to hold up. (Right now) you're seeing that even with rushing four, you're seeing plays down the field being made."

-- Pederson was asked Monday whether he felt his job with the team still was secure.

"For sure. Yeah," he said.

Asked whether owner Jeff Lurie and de facto general manager Howie Roseman have assured him he'll be back for a second year, he said, "Yes. Yes."

-- Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz had his poorest start of the season in the loss to the Bengals. He went 13 of 27 in the first three quarters before throwing 33 passes in the fourth after the Eagles had fallen behind, 29-7. Wentz had three interceptions in the game, and easily could have had another three if the Bengals linebackers and defensive backs could catch.

Pederson said after the game that Wentz's throwing problems Sunday were strictly mechanics. On Monday, he said pass rush pressure also was a factor.

"There's times when there's pressure in his face, so the ball is going to tend to sail high," Pederson said. "There's also times where he's still back on his back foot and the ball sails high. It's a combination of both. It's just something we have to continue to work on."