While the Eagles have dominated their opponents all season long, the trade deadline provided a needed boost for the competition. The team was able to bulk up their pass rush by adding defensive end Robert Quinn but they left it at that. It was a busy day for the rest of the teams as the trade deadline came with a huge frenzy of moves. Many of the moves can impact Philly on their road to a Super Bowl title but who will stand in their way?
Eagles vs the NFC
In the NFC we saw several moves made by the Bears as they ship off Roquan Smith and acquired WR Chase Claypool from the Pittsburg Steelers. Claypool will be facing the Eagles for the second time this season as the Bears and Eagles are set to meet in week 15.
While this does directly impact the Eagles’ schedule, the addition should in no way affect the outcome of this game. Philly has shown enough discipline to overcome the common trap game and continue to keep their foot on the gas. It was a good move for Justin Fields but not one that really moves the needle.
Another move that was made that may directly impact the Eagles once the playoffs come around is a move that the Vikings made. The Vikings traded a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick in exchange for T.J. Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick. The conditional fourth-round pick will become a fifth-round pick if the Vikings win a playoff game.
The reason that this impacts the Eagles is due to the playoff matchups. The Eagles and Vikings are on top of the NFC as the Vikings’ lone loss has been the Philadelphia. While Hockenson did not have much of an impact against Philadelphia in week 1, he could become a factor in a better offensive system. The Eagles can’t take the Vikings lightly in a rematch if both teams meet in the playoffs.
While the 49ers should be in this conversation due to the trade for Christian McCaffrey, it may be hard to include them because of the number of injuries that continue to pile up. They’ve also lost some depth after moving RB Jeff Wilson to the Dolphins. With Jimmy Garoppolo being inconsistent, it would be hard to think that the 49ers can keep up with the Eagles.
Eagles vs the AFC
Two other moves that can impact the Eagles would be in a possible Super Bowl matchup. The Bills traded for Nyheim Hines which gives them another weapon for potential MVP candidate Josh Allen. The Bills are the only team in the league playing as good or even better than the Eagles this season.
A dark horse matchup would be against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins traded for both RB Jeff Wilson and DE Bradley Chubb while unloading Chase Edmunds and several picks. The addition of Chubb catapults the Dolphins into the conversation of one of the top AFC teams alongside the Bills and Chiefs but how sustainable is their offense? Can Tua stay healthy and lead this team? More importantly, can he keep up with Josh Allen who’s firing off on cylinders right now? That all remains to be seen but the Dolphins are absolutely a lot better than they were just a couple of days ago.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
