9.75 Eagles Reactions (Not Over-Reactions) to NFL Week 1
The Philadelphia Eagles under Nick Sirianni are now 3-0 in NFL Week 1 games. The win over the New England Patriots wasn’t big on style points, but it sets them…
The Philadelphia Eagles under Nick Sirianni are now 3-0 in NFL Week 1 games. The win over the New England Patriots wasn’t big on style points, but it sets them up for a huge home opener against the Minnesota Vikings. I hope I can give you a few reasons you don’t want to overreact.
1. I’d rather be the Eagles than the Chiefs or the Bengals after NFL Week 1.
Winning ugly is always superior to losing as a Week 1 favorite. Instead of digging out of a hole, you have a chance to correct mistakes after a win. It takes a little pressure off everyone. I expect to see a better product on the field Thursday night.
2. Losing early rarely sinks your chances.
The four teams that made it to Championship Weekend after the 2022 season were the Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers. The Chiefs lost in Week 2 against the hapless Colts. The Bengals started 2-3 with losses to the Steelers, Cowboys, and Ravens. The 49ers were 1-2 and 3-4. It all worked out.
3. Rounding into shape is how most teams make it far.
The Eagles starting 8-0 last season was the unicorn. After that 3-4 start, the 49ers won 12 games in a row before the NFC Chammpionship Game. The Bengals were 4-4 and won 10 straight games to reach the AFC Championship Game. The second half of the season was where the roll began.
4. Jalen Hurts can’t play that poorly again.
We haven’t seen that Hurts since December 2021, and we don’t need to see it again.
5. Brian Johnson better accelerate his learning curve.
As a first-time play-caller, the drop-off on Sunday from Shane Steichen was evident. It’s way too early to grade him out, but another poor showing would be troubling.
6. Nick Sirianni needs to demand more running back balance.
The talent is there, and guys like D'Andre Swift need to be better utilized. Remember, DeVonta Smith had no catches in his first game last season. He then had a record-setting year.
7. Linebacker has never been a strength.
The Eagles have never been huge advocates of the linebacker. Don’t fret that the position was exploited on Sunday. Just get used to it.
8. The Eagles roster is one of the best in the game.
Talent wins out over time, but let’s hope the injuries don’t mount. That can be the equalizer that brings more teams into the rank of “contenders.”
9. The Eagles defensive youngsters made some noise.
Jalen Carter looks like a weapon. Jordan Davis forced a fumble and dominated in the run game.
.75 Kirk Cousins in Prime Time tends to fall apart.
The Vikings are desperate for a win after losing their home opener to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Kirk tends to turn into a pumpkin when the prime-time lights are brightest.
Watch The John Kincade Show live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
The Philadelphia Eagles could potentially insert three Week 2 starters who didn't start in Week 1. They will play their home opener for the 2023 NFL season at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings.
The defending NFC champs defeated the New England Patriots 25-20 in Foxborough in Week 1.
Philadelphia Eagles Defeat New England Patriots
Despite an underwhelming performance, especially on offense, the Eagles snuck away with a victory. Jalen Hurts threw for only 170 yards. He also fumbled at a key moment in the game during the fourth quarter. The turnover gave the Patriots life when the visitors should've won the game easily.
Nick Sirianni showed no signs of panic during his postgame press conference after defeating Bill Belichick and the Patriots. He improved his record to 3-0 in season openers as a head coach.
Dallas Goedert and newcomer D'Andre Swift figure to be a bigger part of the offense in Week 2. Neither player made a significant impact in the season-opening victory.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected Week 2 Starters
The Eagles could potentially use three new starters in Week 2. While many people expected Swift as the primary running back, Kenny Gainwell got the start. He shouldered a heavy workload, going against the expectations of the "running back by committee" approach.
The status of Nakobe Dean is in question. If he can't go, the Eagles will likely move Christian Elliss into the starting lineup. He is the only other linebacker on the active roster. Nicholas Morrow might be a candidate to elevate from the practice squad.
There were questions heading into Week 1 about the safety position. While the overwhelming majority expected Reed Blankenship to start, the second spot was between Justin Evans and Terrell Edmunds. Evans started and played almost the entire game, with minimal snaps for Edmunds.
Injury news will trickle out as the week moves along. The quick turnaround forces Nick Sirianni to decide his Week 2 starters quickly.
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesQuarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020
D'Andre Swift
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesRunning Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)
A.J. Brown
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)
DeVonta Smith
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021
Quez Watkins
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020
Dallas Goedert
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesTight End, #88
South Dakota State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018
Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018
Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021
Jason Kelce
Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty ImagesCenter, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011
Cam Jurgens
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesRight Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022
Lane Johnson
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesRight Tackle, #65
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013
Brandon Graham
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)Defensive End, #55
University of Michigan
14th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2010
Fletcher Cox
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012
Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022
Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018
Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesEdge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)
Zach Cunningham
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)
Christian Elliss
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #53
University of Idaho
2nd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)
Darius Slay
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesCornerback, #2
Mississippi State University
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)
Josh Jobe
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesCornerback, #28
University of Alabama
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
Justin Evans
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesSafety, #30
Mississippi Gulf Coast
4th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
Terrell Edmunds
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesSafety, #26
Virginia Tech
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
