Brady has seen every pressure package known to an NFL defensive coordinator since he joined the NFL in 2000. He has eyed up every coverage combination. He will not back down, he will not be intimidated and he won't make many mistakes.
So how do the Eagles tame Brady and the unique Patriots offense on Sunday in another must-win game?
That's the question Castillo has been considering these last couple of days since the ultra-impressive performance to beat New York. Castillo's defense has improved week by week this year and truly put together its first 60-minute performance against the Giants.
The Eagles must bring the same intensity and level of execution to contain Brady's bunch. They must be physical and adjustable, because New England will show something, anything that the Eagles haven't seen on film.
What are some of the keys? Basic stuff, but very difficult to accomplish against the Patriots. Here are some of the battles the Eagles must win ...
PRESSURE FROM THE FRONT FOUR
Former defensive coordinator, the late Jim Johnson, created some pressure against Brady in the three meetings against him by working in some creative blitzes, but he made sure to use the blitzes judiciously. If you try blitzing Brady for four quarters, he will slice and dice a defense to the tune of 50 points.
New York had success against the Patriots, limiting them to 20 points, by winning the line of scrimmage with four pass rushers. New York applied pressure against Brady, forced some mistakes, made him move from his spot and kept the Giants in the game.
Eventually, though, Brady put the go-ahead points on the board with fewer than two minutes remaining, forcing Eli Manning to engineer a game-winning drive.
The Eagles must play up front as they did against New York. Philadelphia blitzed only a few times and still got after Manning all game. The front four played dominating football. They've got the same challenge against New England.
MATCH UP AGAINST BIG, TALL TIGHT ENDS
Wide receiver Wes Welker is a zone buster, a brilliant receiver who finds creases in coverage and moves the chains. He is a pass-catching machine who has elevated the slot position to a new art form. Figuring out how to cover him keeps defensive coordinators up for days.
But what really makes New England's offense go is the way tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez change the entire dynamic. They have combined for 20 touchdown catches this season -- Gronkowski has 15 -- and they have the size and speed to create matchup nightmares for defense.
Who is big enough and fast enough and strong enough to deal with Gronkowski and Hernandez? Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is a candidate, for sure, but he has largely been kept on the right side of the defense to cover the receiver on that side. Are the Eagles able to move Asomugha around and keep the communication and the balance in the defense?
Linebacker Jamar Chaney is the best cover linebacker, but he gives away inches in the height matchup to both Gronkowski and Hernandez.
The Eagles can show different looks in zone coverages, but Brady is going to find any hole and expose the defense.
It's a tough challenge, but this much is certain: As great as Welker is, it's the tight ends that make Brady's passing game successful. The Eagles need to come up with a brilliant plan and execute it.
THE WELKER FACTOR
Welker leads the NFL in receptions. He is quick in small spaces and he runs great routes. Welker moves around the formation as the Patriots try to get him lined up against a slower cover player. Look for the Eagles to try to get Joselio Hanson on him as much as possible. Hanson is the best slot cornerback the Eagles have.
BE PHYSICAL IN PRESS COVERAGE
The Giants went after New England by having their cornerbacks get physical at the line of scrimmage to take away the timing of the passing game. Asante Samuel and Asomugha did quite a bit of that on Sunday night and then the Eagles played a tight zone coverage scheme behind it to near perfection.
Castillo has to show a lot of looks. He can't keep going to the same thing, because Brady will figure out a way to slide away from the pressure and make his throws. The Patriots used rookie offensive tackle Nate Solder as a roving blocker on Monday night against Kansas City, so you know they are going to come up with something different against the Eagles.
It all starts up front. If the Eagles can get in Brady's face with the four-man rush, they stand a chance. They have to tackle well, take advantage of any and all bouncing balls and interception opportunities and play with intensity on every snap.
This is a good test, a great one. How far has Castillo's defense advanced? Sunday will go a long way toward answering that question as the Eagles play a passing game and an offense that is as advanced and as innovative as any in the league.
