NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles are 12-1 and just clinched a playoff berth. That’s one task down. What’s next for this Eagles team? First thing first is to prove they are different than the Super Bowl-winning 2017-18 Eagles. However, the more we try to separate the two, the more we begin to see the similarities. Carson Wentz was an MVP Candidate until he went down with an injury. This year, Jalen Hurts is leading the MVP race.
As far as the playmakers go, that Eagles bunch was owed by one of the best RB groups in the NFL that season. The grind-it-out play of LeGarrette Blount and huge and he was backed up by the explosive Jay Ajayi. There was also the young talent of Corey Clement and veteran Darren Sproles.
As far as the receivers go, the Philadelphia Eagles offense was led by Alston Jeffrey who came over from the Chicago Bears coupled with the speed of Nelson Agholor and Torrey Smith. And how can we forget the reliable hands of TE Zach Ertz?
Looking at this group, you can see the similarities with Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott as the featured backs. On the outside, Hurts has his realizable weapons in AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and Dallas Goedert at TE who learned under Ertz.
The offensive line has been a staple for this team dating back to that Super Bowl run with Jason Kelce anchoring the line. In 2017, the Eagles finished the year ranked 3rd in Rushing Yards and surrendered 36 sacks on their QB.
This year it’s more of the same with Kelce still holding down the fort as the Eagles are ranked 2nd in Rushing Yards and has given up 34 sacks heading into Week 15.
Everything Is Lining Up For The Philadelphia Eagles
As far as coaching goes. Doug Pederson was an understudy of Andy Reid, While Sirianni came from the school of Frank Reich who was a coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. Small world. Both coaches are risk takers as Pederson was 17-26 on 4th down attempts that season and Sirianni is the same gutsy risk taker as the Eagles are 19-25 heading into Week 15. But then comes the scary similarity. Pederson was in his 2nd season when he won the Super Bowl. Guess what, this is the 2nd season for Sirianni as well.
The defense is where there may be a slight advantage for this group. In 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles finished the year ranked 4th in Total Yards Allowed while this version is currently ranked 7th. The run defense does need help but in the last 2 weeks, they have managed to shut down Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley in back-to-back weeks.
In the secondary, this team is much better. With Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and James Bradbury, this Eagles group is clearly one of the best in the league. That 2017 group was led by Malcolm Jenkins, Jalen Mills, and Rodney McLeod. As far as pressure on the QB, in 2017, the Eagles racked up 38 sacks. Here they are this season ranked 1st in the league with 49.
At 12-1, the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles are on the same course as the 2017-18 Eagles and if history is indeed on their side, let’s get ready for a parade on Broad St. in February.
