Packers Give Eagles Something To Be Thankful For By Beating The Lions

Things just keep looking better for the Eagles. Not only do they have 9 wins, putting them two games ahead of the Cowboys in the NFC East. But now they also get an extra cushion for the 1 seed in the NFC. The Packers did everyone in Philadelphia a favor, by beating the Lions in the first game of Thanksgiving this year. Meaning the Eagles now are 1.5 games up in the NFC, with a chance to make it a full 2 games if they can beat the Bills on Sunday.

The Lions have at times looked like the Eagles' biggest threat in the NFC. Thanks in part to them having just 2 losses, and having a comparatively easier schedule the rest of the way. But lately, cracks have started to form. Last week it took a late TD to beat the lowly Bears. And now on Thanksgiving, they got beaten up by the Packers.

They fall to 8-3, meaning every other NFC team has at least 3 losses. And for most of the Eagles competition, it gets no easier. The Lions still have two games vs the Vikings, and a match with the Cowboys. After taking on the Commanders later today, the Cowboys have the Seahawks, Eagles, Bills, Dolphins, and Lions. While the 49ers have two games vs the Seahawks, the Eagles, and the Ravens all coming up.

It's hard to imagine any of them winning out with those schedules. Giving the Eagles a couple games of buffer as they finish out the hard part of their schedule. They still have the Bills, Niners, Cowboys, and Seahawks, But they are already 4-0 vs playoff teams. And even if they split these 5 games, it would still put them at 11-3 going into their final 3 games against the Cardinals, and 2 with the Giants.

So today we can all be thankful for the Packers. Because they just made things much simpler for the Eagles the rest of the way.

At a certain point, we have to stop doubting this Eagles team. Yes, things have not been perfect. There have been some serious flaws. But it is week 12, and they have just 1 loss. When you win "ugly" week after week, eventually you just have to call a team winners. Especially when it comes against the reigning champions the Chiefs. That game was as ugly as it gets. The offense barely moved the ball for most of the game. Jalen Hurts was under siege. And they were trailing for most of the time. But they pulled it out. They shutout the Chiefs in the second half, and put up 14 points of their own to win 21-17.

The Eagles are now 9-1 heading into week 12, and 4-0 vs playoff teams (Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Vikings).  They are nearly halfway through what people called the gauntlet in their schedule, and they didn't lose a single one of those games. And they lead the NFC with a 1 game lead over the Lions, and no in-conference losses.

Maybe they are just a great team. As great as last year? No. But they don't have to play last year's Eagles team. They only have to play the other teams this year. And they look better than all of them. Who has been better? The 49ers team that dropped 3 straight games. No. The Cowboys team they just beat? No. The Chiefs? We saw that is a no last night. The Ravens? How many big leads can they blow late in games before people question them? And the Lions got blown out by that Ravens team. Every team is flawed, the Eagles are just the least flawed.

But what does the National Media think about them? Are they giving the Eagles love for winning, or questioning how these games are? Let's find out.

The play of the Special Teams unit has been so much better this year. Tim McManus mentioned Britain Covey here who has been great. But Braden Mann has also been a huge improvement over Arryn Siposs. And while the punt coverage was bad last night, it has mostly been better this year. It's an understated part of the game, but Special Teams mishaps are part of why they lost the Super Bowl. And them looking better could pay off in the playoffs.

ESPN Power Rankings

This defense has started a trend of coming up big in the second half and in the Red Zone. They had multiple red zone stands against the Cowboys, and now multiple against the Chiefs. You prefer there to be no bend at all. But when they do bend, at least we can be confident they won't break. Desai has been great with second-half adjustments, and his defense has played well against both the Dolphins and the Chiefs.

NFL.com Power Rankings

The Eagles finally figured out how to run the ball again. And they are getting Swift involved in the pass game too. It is clear Swift is a dangerous weapon. They need to keep getting the ball into his hands. Especially while Goedert is out and there are extra targets to go around.

The Athletic's Power Rankings

At a certain point, I dont care if it looks pretty. 9 wins is 9 wins, and as they pointed out here, beating the defending champs on the road is great no  matter how it looks.

CBS Sports Power Rankings

Yep, can't argue with any of that. I'm glad people are finally coming around to saying that wins are wins and that style points don't matter when you rack up enough of them.

Yahoo Sports Power Rankings

It's weird seeing the Eagles get this much praise. I don't know how to handle it or respond. But at least people are finally coming around.

Sports Illustrated Power Rankings

I am getting worried, people are too on the Eagles' side now.

USA Today Power Rankings