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.

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.

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.

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.

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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The Philadelphia Eagles will travel to the West Coast in Week 5 of 2023 NFL season to face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium with questions about some of their starters. They are one of only two NFL teams with a 4-0 record.

The defending NFC champs beat the Washington Commanders 34-31 in Week 4.

The Eagles snuck away with an overtime victory in their first NFC East matchup of the 2023 season. Fans at the Linc breathed a collective sigh of relief when Jake Elliott booted a 54-yard field goal to seal the win.

Jalen Hurts also took steps forward with a stronger passing performance. He threw for 319 yards through the air. His favorite target A.J. Brown dominated with nine catches for 175 yards, including a pair of touchdowns.

It wasn't the most convincing win you'll ever see. Sam Howell threw for 290 yards against a porous defense that gave up 31 points. However, Nick Sirianni keeps on winning. After a 2-5 start to his career as a head coach, he has won 27 of 35 games.

The Eagles will enter as 5.5 point favorites against the Rams in a matchup of the past two NFC champions.

The Eagles still face some injury concerns as they travel to Los Angeles They must figure out a way to compensate for the loss of Avonte Maddox in the slot. James Bradberry has slid inside for most of the defensive snaps, while Josh Jobe has played outside. 

Nicholas Morrow came up from the practice squad to start in Week 2. He seamlessly jumped in with strong games against the Vikings and the Buccaneers. However, he officially made his mark with three sacks against Washington.

Reed Blankenship has recovered from a rib injury, and he's become the most reliable safety on the roster. Sydney Brown, Justin Evans, and Quez Watkins missed Week 4, but all three players hope to return to face the Rams.

Injury news will also affect the Eagles Week 5 starters. It should trickle out as the week progresses.

Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020

Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)

Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)

Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021

Wide Receiver, #13
University of Virginia
5th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (April 2023)

Tight End, #88
South Dakota State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018

Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018

Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021

Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011

Right Guard, #78
Weber State University
4th NFL Season, Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (November 2019)

Right Tackle, #65
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013

Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018

Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012

Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022

Defensive Tackle, #93
Louisiana Tech
3rd NFL Season, Drafted in 3rd Round (73rd Overall) in 2021

Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)

Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)

Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)

Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)

Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)

Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)

Safety, #30
Mississippi Gulf Coast
4th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)