The Eagles Power Rankings Round Up- Week 4
Through 3 weeks the Eagles have looked like one of the best teams in the NFL. They are one of two undefeated teams along with the Dolphins. And we are seeing that reflected in the power rankings going into week 4. Here is where the various outlets are putting our Birds in their power rankings.
NFL Network- Rank 1 (Previously 3)
“Philadelphia’s a big green wrecking machine right now. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense have been showing out since the season opener in Detroit, but now Nick Sirianni’s defense has announced its arrival with a dominant nine-sack performance against the Commanders and old friend Carson Wentz. What’s the most pressing “problem” for the undefeated Iggles? DeVonta Smith was so dominant on Sunday (156 yards in the first half alone), it calls into question whether A.J. Brown is the team’s true No. 1 receiver. “By the eyes, he might be a little slight, but he plays like a big boy,” Hurts said of Smith. “He’s a guy, when his number’s called, I know he’ll answer the phone.”
The Eagles WR group is a regular thing people point to when they praise the Eagles. The Eagles and the Dolphins are the only two teams with two WRs in the top 10 of receiving yards. And then don’t forget Dallas Goedert who is 4th among Tight Ends. Jalen Hurts has obviously taken a huge step, but part of that is because the Eagles surrounded him with a ton of talent.
USA Today- Rank 1 (Previously 3)
“During the offseason, they upgraded a playoff-caliber roster while concurrently creating an environment to test Jalen Hurts and determine whether or not he’s a franchise quarterback. So far, appears he’s precisely that – and Philadelphia has played like the class of the NFC, improving to 3-0 on the heels of two dominant performances and seemingly setting up to make a run at a No. 1 postseason seed.”
As great as the players have been, Howie deserves his praise for putting this group together. The Eagles went into the offseason with so many issues, and he found a way to address all of them. And at least so far, he is batting 1.000 on the moves. The same way he hit on every free agent he made before the 2017 season.
Sports Illustrated- Rank 3 (Previously 9)
“We were turned on to the sinister mind of Shane Steichen, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, last year. All he’s done since is refine the process. Teams are now trying to force Jalen Hurts to beat them with his arm. They are paying for it dearly.”
When the Eagles hired their coordinators last year, the name everyone was excited about was Jonathan Gannon. And while he has done a great job with this defense so far, Shane Steichen deserves a ton of credit too. He has the offense running great.
The Athletic- Rank 2 (Previously 3)
“Hurts ranks fourth in EPA per dropback among all quarterbacks and is the biggest reason why the Eagles’ ceiling has fans dreaming of a Super Bowl trip — the Eagles are listed as +350 to win the NFC, the lowest odds in the conference ahead of the Packers (+400) and Bucs (+400). But the defense has held its own, too. Sunday’s sack deluge skews the numbers a bit, but the Eagles top the league in EPA per play when rushing only four. Now if only they could figure out how to score in the second half.”
Hurts has been a star. He did not look great at QB last year, but whatever work he put in this offseason has paid off. And he is not just a runner first anymore. He can stand in the pocket and deliver it on time and to the right place with the best of them. If he keeps this up he will be among the favorites to win MVP
Yahoo Sports- Rank 1 (Previously 5)
“The Eagles are a wagon rolling over everyone in their path.”
Yep, at least so far. They crushed the Vikings and Commanders. And that was with them taking their foot off the gas in the 2nd half both times.
ESPN- Rank 1 (Previously 8)
“Jalen Hurts is one of the early favorites to be league MVP. His production on the ground remains strong — he ranks second among quarterbacks in rushing yards (167) and first in rushing touchdowns (three) — but it’s his improvement as a passer that has put the NFC on notice. Hurts is completing 67.3% of his passes, compared with his career average of 60%. He ranks third in passing yards (916) and is sixth in QBR (74.8). His standout play is the No. 1 reason the Eagles are 3-0.”
So essentially everyone had them 1, 2, or 3 in the power rankings. The consensus around the NFL Media is that this team is for real. Some give the Dolphins the edge because they beat the Bills and Ravens, but they all agree that the Eagles are right up there. Power Rankings don’t mean much. But it still feels good to see the eagles get so much love.
