Questionable 4-0 Start Has Concerning Parallel in Eagles History
The Philadelphia Eagles snuck away from the Washington Commanders with a 34-31 victory at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 4 to improve to 4-0. While the Birds are one of two undefeated teams in the NFL, the fan base isn’t exactly satisfied. Are they due for a letdown? One example in recent history is worth a comparison.
2014 Eagles Under Chip Kelly
Nick Foles entered the 2014 season as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback. He was riding high after throwing 27 touchdowns and two interceptions in 13 games in 2013.
He led them to a 3-0 record, and the third win was against Washington at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles escaped an NFC East dogfight against an inferior team with a 37-34 victory. It was eerily similar to their 34-31 victory in Week 4 in 2023. An undefeated record, however, wasn’t convincing by any stretch of the imagination.
The Eagles worked their way to a 6-2 record when an injury sidelined Foles for the season. Mark Sanchez took over and led the Eagles into great position with a 9-3 record after a blowout win against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
However, they faded down the stretch. Turnover problems caught up to them, and Sanchez showed his true colors against stronger opponents. The Packers and the Seahawks, who eventually met in the NFC Championship Game, dominated an Eagles team that had beaten up weaker opponents to pile up victories.
Late-season losses to Seattle, Dallas, and Washington quickly sunk the Eagles to 9-6, and they missed out on an NFC Wild Card spot despite a victory in Week 17.
Are the Eagles a Fugazi 4-0 Team?
A good record early in the 2014 season kept the fan base excited for Super Bowl contention despite the underwhelming performances. Weaknesses caught up to a team with high expectations, and the season went down the drain.
The similarities are undeniably present this year. Pat Egan questioned whether the 4-0 record is misleading for the outlook of the 2023 season.
“Your record isn’t exactly telling the full story. Are the Eagles a fugazi 4-0 team? You have played the Patriots, and you (were) a toe tap away from losing that game. You win 25-20. You play the Vikings (and won) 34-28. It was a one-score game. I never felt like it was in doubt. The Buccaneers – 25-11 – that was a nice performance, and then (against) the Commanders, you have to sweat it out in OT.” -Pat Egan
After similarly unconvincing wins in the early stretch of the season, the Eagles still have an opportunity to rack up wins before they face the hurricane of their schedule. They’ll travel in Week 5 to face the Rams and Week 6 to face the Jets as heavy favorites.
Beginning in Week 7 on Oct. 22, the Eagles will play eight of nine games against teams that made the playoffs last season. The real meat of the stretch is from Weeks 11-14 against the Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, and Cowboys. If the Eagles are a fugazi team, you’ll find out in that four-game stretch in late November and early December.
“We won in a different way than we’ve had to win so far this year. I think that builds character. I think that builds a tighter team. I think that builds trust.” –Nick Sirianni
Will the 2023 Eagles fall into the same fate?
Will the 2023 season turn out like the 2014 season? A closer look reveals some significant differences.
First of all, the 2023 Eagles are more talented and more established. They’re coming off a Super Bowl appearance after a season when they justified a reputation as one of the most complete rosters in the NFL.
As much as NFL coaches preach the “next man up” mentality, a quarterback injury can easily sink a season. Mark Sanchez was never equipped to lead a team to the Super Bowl. Hurts is simply a better all-around quarterback.
The 2014 Eagles finished 26th in the NFL with a turnover margin of -8. Hurts was uncharacteristically careless with four turnovers in the first three games, but the 2023 Eagles still have a +4 margin. Taking care of the football and avoiding fatal, self-inflicted mistakes will be important.
It’s unquestionably necessary for this season’s team to correct flaws. Jalen Hurts didn’t play to his full potential for the first three games, but he showed flashes of the talent that made him an MVP candidate in 2022.
The Eagles haven’t racked up style points on their way to a 4-0 start, but they have an opportunity to find a better rhythm before they face the true tests of the 2023 season.
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