When you compare teams in the NFL, who do you see at the top? Is it New England, the reigning Super Bowl Champions? Is it Kansas City or Pittsburgh, the other top teams in the AFC? Maybe it's Carolina or New Orleans?
One team that no one ever thought would be on top: Philadelphia Eagles.
After 3 coaching changes, several swaps in starting quarterbacks, and finding the missing pieces of the puzzle such as a stronger offensive line, better secondary, wide-outs and running backs, the Eagles seem to be the best team in the NFL.
2016 looked so bright for the Eagles, with a new coach in Doug Pederson (former Chiefs Offensive Coordinator) and rookie QB Carson Wentz of North Dakota State. The Eagles went a perfect 3-0 heading into the first bye week of the 2016-17 season. Then, things went downhill. The Eagles went 2-9 over the next 11 weeks, including close losses to all three NFC East Rivals (Washington, NY Giants, Dallas). The Eagles knew right around Thanksgiving that their playoff hopes were gone. They ended up with a 7-9 record, last place in the NFC East, and one of 2 NFC East team to not qualify for the playoffs (Washington being the other).
According to Coach Pederson, he knew that a lot of changes had to be made in what he dubbed 2017 as a "rebuilding year." He kept Wentz at QB, traded WR Jordan Matthews to Buffalo while picking up New England RB LeGarrette Blount and Chicago WR Alshon Jeffery, and re-signing former starting QB Nick Foles.
Despite a 2-2 preseason record, a lot of people began to doubt the Eagles and, of course, since they do not have any Super Bowl Rings (I get it, stop reminding me), they don't seem to have the potential to be a Super Bowl team.
Man did the Eagles prove everyone wrong!!
After a successful 30-17 victory at Washington, the Eagles seemed to have a small stumble in their momentum after a close 27-20 loss to AFC powerhouse Kansas City. However, the Eagles did not dwell on the loss, as former Eagles coach and now Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has credited Philly for being such a hard team to play against.
Despite losing veteran RB Darren Sproles to both a broken arm and a torn ACL against the Giants, the Eagles refused to let that empty hole get to them. It was rookie kicker Jake Elliot who helped pull off the victory with a game-winning 61-yard field goal.
Philly continued their momentum into Los Angeles by narrowly defeating the Chargers and also blowing out the Cardinals in Arizona. Philly wanted more. Carson Wentz made his mark as QB and became the October Offensive Player of the Month by going 5-0 in the entire month of October (with other victories against Carolina, Washington again, and winless San Francisco).
Just the other day Philly completely blew out Denver in a 51-24 victory at Lincoln Financial. Wentz now leads the NFL in touchdown passes (23). The 61-yard field goal by Elliot is the longest in Eagles history. TE Zach Ertz has caught more touchdowns in his career in one season through 9 weeks. Newly traded RB Jay Ajayi made his Philly debut worth while. The 51-24 victory is the largest victory since Pederson became head coach and the first time since beating the Bears 54-11 in 2013 (also the first time the Eagles scored 50+). They have also beaten their record from last year with 8 wins. They lead the NFL and are the best team in the NFL.
The Eagles have a strong offensive force and even a strong defensive force. Sure they don't rank high in sacks or forced fumbles but they know how to make their opponents go 3-and-out (this is all without Jason Peters since he's out with an injury).
With an 8-1 record, which is a better record than the Patriots, Chiefs, Panthers, and even the Packers, are the Philadelphia Eagles worthy of a Super Bowl appearance? Only time will tell in the final 7 weeks of the season, which include 2 meetings with the Cowboys and another meeting with the Giants. Philly must also meet their final AFC West foe against Oakland on Christmas Day, NFC West foes Seattle and LA Rams in early December, and Chicago to end Thanksgiving weekend.
No one expected the Eagles to be on top. I myself was surprised. Get ready NFL fans, there's a new top team and they play for Philadelphia!
Fly Eagles Fly!
