The Eagles are on a tear this season and they’re doing while also still developing what works for them. After starting a league-best 8-0, the Birds have been under the microscope week in and week out. The national media believes that the Eagles have not beaten any team that’s worth respecting while the local media and fans understand the grind and development that have led the team to this point.
Yes, the Eagles have only beaten two teams that are above .500 but they did so convincingly. They neutralized both the Cowboys’ and Vikings’ top players in the process as well. The Eagles’ defense held Justin Jefferson to 6 catches on 11 targets for only 48 receiving yards. His longest reception of that day was for 11 yards. They also intercepted Kirk Cousins three times and sacked him twice.
As for the Cowboys, the Eagles put Micah Parsons on an island which no other team has dared to do. They isolated him and forced him to decide on either going after Hurts or helping his defense in pass coverage. Don’t overlook the fact that Lane Johnson also kept Micah far away from Hurts for the entire first half. Johnson unfortunately left that game with a concussion.
While they did beat six teams that are currently under .500, you also have to take into consideration that they have done so convincingly as well. They have a current point differential of 90 points right now. They’ve scored 225 points and have only allowed 135.
Also, two of the teams that are under .500, the Lions and Jaguars, are ranked in the top 10 in the league in most offensive yards per game. They have also faced each of the team’s starting QB except for one. Which just so happens to be the Dallas Cowboys. But let’s not forget how the world was ready to call for a QB controversy in favor of Cooper Rush.
I bring up that point because everyone is ready to crown the Vikings as legit Super Bowl contenders but want to discredit the Eagles because they haven’t faced any adversity yet. Well, I hate to burst your bubble but neither has the Vikings and they’re the 2nd best team, record-wise, in the NFC.
Out of the 8 games that the Vikings have played, they have not played against the team’s starting QB in four of them. They almost blew it to the Commanders last Sunday as they squeezed out the win in the 4th quarter. A team that the Eagles blew out while having their starting QB in the lineup.
Eagles have learned from their mistakes
To think that this team is not battle-tested means that you have not paid attention to what Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have been saying. They went through the rubble last season after starting 2-5 then ended the season by making the playoffs off of a 9-8 record.
Fortunately, the bubble was popped after they were dismantled by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs. It was an embarrassing performance on both sides of the ball as well. Jalen Hurts was completely exposed and how did the team respond? By buckling down and giving him weapons.
How did Hurts respond? By making a weakness into a strength. He staying in the pocket this season and going through his reads at a very efficient rate. He’s quick with his decisions which has led to him having the 2nd best passer rating in the league.
This team is battle tested. From the veterans who are hungry for another Super Bowl to the young leaders that want to prove themselves. They’re out for revenge especially after their embarrassing loss in last year’s playoffs. They’ve put in the work that has led to these results. Now, whether they lose a couple of games or not. Come playoff time this team will be ready.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
