NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Week after week, NFL Power Rankings are released ranking every team in the NFL. Through the first 8 weeks at least, it’s been a battle between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills for top honors. Despite the Eagles’ undefeated record, many believed the Bills were the better team.
The explanation provided by many was that even sitting at 6-1 heading into their Week 9 game against the 5-2 New York Jets, their only loss came at the hands of the explosive Miami Dolphins. The Eagles’ record, while unblemished is scrutinized due to what many believe has been a “soft” schedule. Week 9 may have changed all of that.
The Bills and Eagles split the NFL world down the middle. A solid team with good quality wins vs another solid team and their schedule. In their Week 9 game against the Houston Texans, the Eagles took care of business to reach 8-0 on the year. The Bills, well, they weren’t that lucky. Josh Allen and Co fell to the surprising Jets Sunday afternoon.
Even at 6-2, some will still make a claim for the Bills. And some will even make an argument for the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings. But here is why the Philadelphia Eagles are the only team who should stake claim as the best team in the NFL.
You can’t mention the Vikings in the same category as the Eagles even with their one loss due to their lone defeat coming at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. But still, 7-1 is a great record and the Vikings are setting themselves up for one heck of a season.
Now, if the Bills had won, this discussion would still be ongoing. Across the board as far as statistics go, both teams are evenly matched. But when it comes down to wins and losses, there is a difference here that folks have ignored, until Week 9.
It’s hard to win in the NFL. No matter what record any team has. It’s also super hard to get midway through the season undefeated or with one loss. But what makes the Eagles’ run so special is that they have managed to win every way possible. Winning by 3 against the Detroit Lions to start the season was a tough pill to swallow but they made the case they could win the close games. They also crushed teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Vikings, and Washington, showing what can happen when clicking on all fronts. That’s the test of a true champion. Winning 30-0 is impressive but can you make the necessary plays down the stretch to close a team out? That’s what hurt the Bills against the Jets Sunday.
How Complete Are The Philadelphia Eagles?
The Bills were not able to make enough plays when they had to. Despite how complete the Buffalo Bills appear to be, the truth is, they lost 2 close games this year (Dolphins, Jets) while the Eagles have yet to trail in the 2nd half of any game this season. When the big catch was needed, Gabe Davis couldn’t make the catch. When the big catch was needed for the Eagles, there was Dallas Goedert coming through.
It’s not about your offense scoring 30 points per game or your defense giving up just 10 per game. It’s about the moments when the game is on the line or stopping a team’s momentum that makes you a great team. So far, this is what the Philadelphia Eagles have done. A tough schedule or a soft schedule does not matter. What matters is the players dressed in the same uniform as you doing what it takes to walk away victorious. This is still a team game.
The Minnesota Vikings are finding ways to win. If one player is struggling, another is stepping up. Ask Aaron Rodgers how that feels without Davante Adams gone and the Packers struggling. Week 9 was not just another week in the NFL, it was the line being drawn in the sand that separates contenders. The Bills will still be there in the end, they’re just that good. However, they cannot continue to let teams they’re supposed to beat, beat them.
You play who you play and as a top team in the league, there is a very small margin for error. The Bills were favorites coming into the game against the Jets. They were leading the AFC East division, and yet, they let it slip away. The Eagles can feel the heat coming from the NFC East with the Cowboys and the Giants still on their heels. There is no time for a letdown. And if we want to take it further, the Bills are 0-2 in division play while the Eagles are 2-0 in the NFC East.
Going head-to-head would also end the debate but Week 9 already did that. There will be excuses made as the “soft schedule” will come into play but even with that schedule and playing weekly with a target on their backs, the Philadelphia Eagles have taken care of business. Can the Buffalo Bills or any other team in the NFL at the midway point say the same?
