NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles are now sitting at 11-1 on the season after their Week 13 win against the Tennessee Titans Sunday afternoon. While the win was a great look for this young team, they will now head into the last remaining games as the team to beat in the NFL. Records aside, the Eagles have a huge target on their backs due to balance.
Early in the season, the Eagles relied on the run and their secondary for dominance. However, what they displayed against the Titans and the Green Bay Packers in back-to-back weeks was their ability to put it all together. And with that, not only did their remaining opponents take notice but so did anyone they may face in the playoffs. This Eagles team is the real deal. But not everyone is a believer.
On the year, the Eagles are ranked 13th (Passing Yards), 7th (Passing TDs), 2nd (Rushing Attempts), 5th (Rushing Yards) 1st (Rushing TDs) on the offensive side. On the defensive side, they are ranked 1st (Passing Yards Allowed), 1st (INTs), 17th in (Rushing Yards Allowed), 2nd (Sacks), and 1st (Takeaways).
In the NFL, most teams have a formula that works for them. The Kansas City Chiefs are built on the chemistry between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The Miami Dolphins have explosive receivers in Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. The Buffalo Bills have Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and a stingy defense. But name another team outside of Philly that has it all.
Against the Packers, the Philadelphia Eagles showed what they can do on the ground as they rushed for 363 yards. Then, the following week against the Titans, they showed what they could do through the air as Jalen Hurts passed for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns. And as far as the defense goes, they managed to shut down Derrick Henry as he accounted for just 30 yards on 11 carries.
Are The Philadelphia Eagles The Real Deal?
The front seven put up another solid performance as they sacked Ryan Tannehill 5 times. Now, as an opposing defense, how can you stop that? Shutting down Mahomes and Kelce will force the Chiefs to run the ball and that’s something they have struggled with. The same applies to the Dolphins and the Bills. The one team in the NFC that can challenge the Eagles’ balance would be the Dallas Cowboys, especially with a healthy Dak Prescott. They have the offense and the defense to make things interesting for the Birds.
Defense wins championships the saying goes but a balanced offense can put games out of reach. What the Philadelphia Eagles have done so far this season has been remarkable. On the year, their point differential stands at +112 (3rd) behind only the Cowboys and Bills. And what’s been staggering is that for the past 3 weeks, the Eagles have done this without their starting TE, Dallas Goedert. Nick Sirianni and company just started to implement more running backs into the offense with the recent use of Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott.
While the focus has been on the success of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins has proven to be the true deep threat the Eagles needed. If their game against the Titans was an indication of things to come for the remainder of the regular season and heading into the playoffs, there are not many teams that can match what they put out on a weekly basis.
If the Philadelphia Eagles can keep their foot on the gas in the last remaining games, the road to the Super Bowl will go through Lincoln Financial Field. And that should put fear in the hearts of any team.
