How many NFL teams are better than the Eagles? A weekly exercise where you play along!

by John Kincade

Before you say it…this is NOT an NFL Power Rankings list. You can get that anywhere. The only question I have is whether you will find this Tuesday exercise more or less interesting!
Think of this as an attempt by me to create a Watch List of NFL teams that based ONLY ON THE EVIDENCE OF GAMES PLAYED THIS YEAR, NOT REPUTATION OR HISTORY. Obviously that means it’s only based on the first 16 games played this year after Week One so it’s thin on evidence! I don’t care what Mahomes or Rodgers have done in the past, pretend you have amnesia about the NFL. Considering some of the things we have witnessed in this town that might not be a bad thing.

I will look to tell you how many teams that I believe are better than the Eagles on a weekly basis. This will be impulsive and sometimes thin on actual data. I don’t prefer to base my sports discussions on feelings. Yet, I will attempt to determine how close the Eagles are to being elite. My elite status would be landing in the Top 5, finding no more than 4 teams that I perceive to be better than the Eagles.

This weeks number is SEVEN.

NFC 

Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins and his talented offensive crew roll into Philly fresh off of their dominant opening week victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Tom Brady and the Bucs look like they slept thru some periods of their opener offensively, but not on the defensive side which dominated Dallas.

AFC

Buffalo Bills

The pre-season Super Bowl favorites lived up to their hype with a domination of the Super Bowl Champion Rams in what seemed like a home game in Los Angeles.

KC Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes looks ready to rampage the stat sheet once again.

LA Chargers

Justin Herbert is quickly making his case for elite NFL status.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins sent an early AFC East message by trouncing the Patriots.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are always dangerous but it’s hard to tell after Week One if they have staying power.

WEEK ONE - 7

WEEK TWO - ?

Seven it is! The opening standard is set for this experiment. The question is will the Eagles rise or decline? Is starting at 7 too low or too high? Think in your head the number of teams that you believe were better than the Eagles across the league before the season. Watch the process unfold and you may completely disagree with my assessments and order.

I’ll look forward to interacting at John.Kincade@bbgi.com