For three straight seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles have been one of many NFL’s greatest groups nearing the center of November.
In 2022, the Eagles have been 8-0 heading into Week 10 and finally made the Super Bowl.
Last 12 months, they have been 8-1 earlier than they misplaced six of their final seven video games, together with a loss within the divisional playoffs.
This season, Philadelphia is 6-2 because it heads right into a Week 10 battle with the Dallas Cowboys.
And there are causes to imagine this Eagles group is nearer to the one which made a deep postseason run, versus the one which faltered down the stretch.
Philadelphia’s season began with some points — a turnover-filled efficiency by quarterback Jalen Hurts within the Brazil opener, head coach Nick Sirianni jawing with dwelling followers after a lackluster effort towards the Cleveland Browns — however it has since settled right into a groove. After a 2-2 begin, the Eagles have received 4 in a row.
Through the primary 4 weeks of this season, Philadelphia had a unfavourable level differential. In their final 4 video games, the Eagles have received by a mixed 54 factors, together with a number of wins by at the least 20.
The largest cause for the turnaround has been the mistake-free play of Hurts. He has been criticized for his limits as a passer previously, however his effectiveness has pulled Philly out of its early season malaise.
In the primary 4 video games of the season, Hurts threw solely 4 touchdowns with three interceptions whereas operating for 2 extra touchdowns. During that span, he by no means had a passer score above 88.8.
In his final 4 video games, Hurts has thrown six scores with no picks and has run for six extra touchdowns. And he hasn’t had a passer score under 119.3.
Hurts is on tempo to throw for extra yards than final season however with fewer interceptions. He’s additionally posting profession highs in passer score (102.4) and yards per try (8.3), with the second-best quarterback score (65.4) of his profession.
And whereas he hasn’t reached the heights of his 2022 marketing campaign on the bottom, he’s operating extra typically than he did final season — whereas fumbling at a decrease fee.
Picking up the slack in Philadelphia’s dashing assault has been Saquon Barkley. Signed over from the divisional rival New York Giants within the offseason, Barkley has paid large dividends within the backfield.
Through eight video games, Barkley has run for 925 yards (on a strong 5.9 yards per carry) with six touchdowns. He has eight runs of at the least 20 yards or extra — two greater than final season’s main rusher, D’Andre Swift, had all 12 months. Barkley can also be operating for 115.6 yards per recreation, 50 greater than Swift a season in the past.
With Barkley within the combine, the Eagles have the second-best dashing assault within the NFL, whereas Hurts’ life as a passer has been made simpler — and extra environment friendly.
Meanwhile, the protection has taken a stingy flip underneath new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Philadelphia is permitting solely 290.1 yards per recreation, the third greatest mark within the NFL. (A 12 months in the past, the protection allowed 356.1, the seventh worst.) The defensive position continues to be a menace, rating tenth and second, respectively, in go rush win fee and run cease win fee for the second season in a row.
Put all of it collectively, and on paper the Eagles have all of the traits of a bona fide Super Bowl contender. Or at the least all of the clichés.
They run the ball nicely. They cease the run. The quarterback doesn’t make errors and might nonetheless hit massive performs to gifted receivers.
After how poorly final season ended — and the way uninspiring the primary month of this one was — it’s truthful to be a bit reserved in reward of Philadelphia. (The group, not the town.)
But if the Eagles of the final month are the identical model the remainder of the NFL will see shifting ahead? That’s the form of group that’s often nonetheless probably the greatest headed into February.