It looks like a very long time in the past when the Philadelphia Eagles went to their bye week with a 2-2 document, contemporary off a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that had followers and media members alike calling for the pinnacle of coach Nick Sirianni.
Not solely did the Eagles look inept in that loss, however Sirianni was 3-8 in his final 11 after that debacle. The Super Bowl look of February of 2022 appeared a very long time in the past.
Now what truly looks like years in the past is the catcalls for Sirianni’s job. The Eagles have ripped off eight straight victories, together with a formidable 24-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on the highway Sunday, to stake their declare as one of many NFL’s greatest groups.
Philadelphia has an MVP candidate in operating again Saquon Barkley, operating behind the league’s greatest offensive line, a quarterback who can run it and throw it in Jalen Hurts and a protection that has grown in an enormous means for star coordinator Vic Fangio.
Add all of it up and the warmth is off of Sirianni. No matter he did throughout that bye week, he ought to bottle it and promote it to different coaches as a result of it modified the fortunes of this Eagles workforce. The Eagles are rolling.
They’re as much as No. 4 in my newest Energy Rankings and are proving to be the highest contender to the Detroit Lions within the NFC. With a schedule that’s far much less daunting than what the Lions will face, plus a much-healthier protection, the Eagles may very well be in line for an additional Tremendous Bowl look. It is a far cry from the cries for the firing of Sirianni from Week 4.
Barkley has been on a tear the throughout the eight-game streak, exhibiting his greatness but additionally exhibiting how the Eagles can beat you down with their run sport. They ran it on 12 consecutive performs to the game-clinching landing Sunday in opposition to the Ravens. That brutish soccer in opposition to a workforce identified to be a bully.
The protection has actually come on as nicely. Because the bye, they’re giving up 13.6 factors per sport. The defensive position, led by Jalen Carter, has been dominant and the secondary has been sticky.
It is a method that has the Eagles able to push for the highest seed within the NFC. Their remaining video games are house in opposition to Carolina and Pittsburgh, then at Washington, earlier than closing with house video games in opposition to the Cowboys and Giants. The Lions have a a lot more durable schedule.
The Eagles have put the remainder of the league on discover. Once you go to Baltimore and bully the bully, the message is loud and clear. The Eagles are legit. (The betting markets are bullish on them because the Eagles have the second-best odds to win the NFC Championship, per FanDuel Sportsbook. Philadelphia additionally owns the second-best Tremendous Bowl odds at FanDuel, behind solely Detroit.)
And Sirianni needs to be laughing privately in any respect those that known as for his job in October. You already know who you’re.
Largest Movers
|
Rk |
Groups |
Chg |
Rcrd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
The accidents on protection are beginning to add up. That may be an issue down the stretch and this week in opposition to the Packers. They’ve misplaced loads of good gamers. | — | 11-1-0 |
2 |
|
They’re the AFC East champs, however that is not the prize this workforce needs or wants. It is larger than that. Josh Allen is now the MVP favourite. | — | 10-2-0 |
3 |
|
They’ve struggled to win their video games, however they discover a means. It is all in regards to the playoffs for them, and they are going to be there — so cease worrying. The Chargers can be a problem this week. | — | 11-1-0 |
4 |
|
They’re bodily on offense, have an MVP candidate in Saquon Barkley and a protection that’s all of the sudden robust to crack. Oh, in addition they have a positive schedule down the stretch. | — | 10-2-0 |
5 |
|
They win loads of shut video games, however is not {that a} signal of a superb workforce? You might be what your document says you’re, so I suppose they’re fairly good. | — | 10-2-0 |
6 |
|
They’ve an opportunity to tighten up the division this week after they face the Lions on the highway. That can be an enormous proving sport for them. | 1 | 9-3-0 |
7 |
|
Russell Wilson was excellent in opposition to the Bengals. If he performs like that, they’ll win all of it. | 2 | 9-3-0 |
8 |
|
Profitable on the highway at Atlanta was a pleasant strategy to bounce again after the Ravens loss. Now comes a tricky one at Kansas Metropolis in opposition to the Chiefs. | — | 8-4-0 |
9 |
|
They did not do a lot on offense in opposition to the Eagles, which is a priority. So, too, is kicker Justin Tucker. What do you do with him? | 3 | 8-5-0 |
10 |
|
It wasn’t fairly in opposition to the Browns, so the bye comes at a superb time. The protection made huge performs, however they gave up means too many passing yards. That may’t proceed. | — | 8-5-0 |
11 |
|
They’ve gained two straight to take over first within the NFC West. The protection has made huge strides. Now comes a tricky one at Arizona. | — | 7-5-0 |
12 |
|
They snapped a three-game dropping streak by beating the Titans. The offense got here alive and Jayden Daniels appeared like himself once more. | 1 | 8-5-0 |
13 |
|
They misplaced one other robust one on the highway in opposition to the Vikings and now face a must-win this week with Seattle. The Seahawks shut the offense down two weeks in the past, so that they need to be higher than that. | 1 | 6-6-0 |
14 |
|
They nonetheless do not look proper on offense, so the remainder of the season needs to be about getting it going for the postseason. C.J. Stroud hasn’t been the identical man. | — | 8-5-0 |
15 |
|
They saved their season by beating the Panthers in additional time. However they need to be higher than that going ahead to have an actual playoff shot. | 1 | 6-6-0 |
16 |
|
Profitable at New England retains them alive within the playoff chase. Anthony Richardson is getting higher — which is an efficient factor. | 3 | 6-7-0 |
17 |
|
Profitable at New Orleans retains them smack dab within the division race. They face a tricky problem this week with the Payments coming to city. | 3 | 6-6-0 |
18 |
|
The loss in opposition to the Packers mainly ends their playoff probabilities. They need to get previous the cold-weather narrative sooner or later, too. | 3 | 5-7-0 |
19 |
|
Kirk Cousins simply is not taking part in nicely proper now. They need to get it occurring that aspect of the ball within the worst means. It is too late to play Michael Penix Jr. | 2 | 6-6-0 |
20 |
|
The accidents have crippled this workforce and now Christian McCaffery is completed. They’re all however performed, too. | 2 | 5-7-0 |
21 |
|
The protection has been horrible, which is why they’re performed. They’re 0-7 in opposition to groups with a profitable document, giving up a mean of 36 factors or extra in every sport. | — | 4-8-0 |
22 |
|
Coach Matt Eberflus is gone, which was the appropriate transfer. He botched the tip of two video games and it value him. Now it is about getting the appropriate man for Caleb Williams. | — | 4-8-0 |
23 |
|
They’re nonetheless alive after beating the Giants on Thanksgiving. I do know that is arduous to consider, however it’s true. | 1 | 5-7-0 |
24 |
|
Shedding to the Rams may very well be the dying blow to their season. Now they need to deal with discovering the appropriate coach. | 1 | 4-8-0 |
25 |
|
Jameis Winston has made this workforce enjoyable once more, however it’s too dangerous they’re caught with Deshaun Watson. Jerry Jeudy is lastly exhibiting off his skills in an enormous means. | — | 3-9-0 |
26 |
|
Bryce Younger has made strides the previous two weeks. However now comes a tricky prove-it sport on the highway in opposition to the Eagles. | 3 | 3-9-0 |
27 |
|
A lot for the momentum they constructed by beating the Texans. That was a horrible exhibiting in opposition to the Commanders. | 1 | 3-9-0 |
28 |
|
Drake Maye is the brilliant spot, however what has occurred to the protection? Wasn’t that the place Jerod Mayo made his bones? | 1 | 3-10-0 |
29 |
|
They discover new and artistic methods to lose video games each week. They’re such a sloppy workforce. It is over. | 1 | 3-9-0 |
30 |
|
It would not matter who performs quarterback. The offense is terrible. They should get a quarterback subsequent 12 months in an enormous means. | — | 2-10-0 |
31 |
|
Aidan O’Connell did some actually good issues in opposition to the Chiefs, however got here up simply quick. This workforce continues to be combating. | — | 2-10-0 |
32 |
|
Trevor Lawrence ought to simply sit out the remainder of the best way. What is the level of him taking part in anymore? | — | 2-10-0 |
