Getting Ready for the 49ers Game, And More in Today’s Vault

It is 49ers week. A game we have all been waiting for. Not just because it is a game between two great teams, but because the Niners may be the most annoying team in the league. We have seen fan bases whine after games before. That is expected. But I don't know if we have ever seen the players on a team be so whiny after a loss. Between Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and even their freaking kicker, there was so much trash talk after they got blown out.

So in the Audio Vault today, Andrew Salciunas and Tom Alvord looked at some of that trash talk, just to get fans a bit more excited for the game. They also celebrated Desean Jackson and looked back at one of the coolest plays in Football history.

Another week another win. So many people continue to doubt the Eagles. Every week we hear about how if the Eagles keep playing like this, they will eventually lose. But it hasn't happened yet. Even in the hardest part of their schedule, they continue to rack up wins. They have now beaten the Dolphins, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Bills. And were some of those wins "ugly"? Sure. But they won. It is what they do. And they are 10-1 heading into week 13.

Call them what you want. The worst 10-1 team ever. Overrated. Lucky. It doesn't change the fact they are 10-1 despite playing the toughest schedule in the NFL. And if they are winning ugly, what does that make the teams they beat?

Yet despite being 10-1, and beating all of these good teams, they still get disrespect. Vegas has them as home underdogs this week vs the 49ers. ESPN's nonsense FPI continues to rank them low. But none of that changes the fact they are two games ahead of everyone else in the NFL. And none of it changes the fact they are in what people call the gauntlet of their schedule and have yet to lose one of these games.

But outside of those analytics, actual human beings seem to at least be acknowledging their greatness. Even some of the usual Eagles haters had to admit these past weeks that the Eagles just have a knack for finding ways to win. And they continue to dominate the Power Rankings because it would be hard to argue a team with 3 losses is better than a team with just 1. No matter how many times that team blows out the Giants and Panthers.

So let's take a look at the Power Rankings this week, and what some of the folks around the NFL view this Eagles team.

Special Teams has been such a pleasant surprise this year. We knew Jake Elliott was great, that is no surprise. But Covey has become on of the best Return Men in the league, and even Braden Mann is doing a great job. Special Teams was their biggest issue last year, but it has barely been an issue at all in 2023. In fact it's one of their strengths.

ESPN Power Rankings

The analytical crowd doesn't value close wins. What they miss is that it shows how clutch a team is. Do you know what the Bills issue is, they keep losing close games. Yea, they blow out the teams they beat. But when things get close, they can't pull out the win. Same goes for the 49ers. That goes double when you are playing as many good teams as the Eagles do.

NFL.com's Power Rankings

That is good company for Nick Sirianni to keep. Nick continues to be one of the most underrated parts of the Eagles. He doesn't get love because he doesn't call plays. But in terms of the things that Head Coaches are supposed to do, he is fantastic. And those coaches that people gush over, tend to struggle with those decisions.

The Athletic's Power Rankings

Every team has concerns. The Eagles have the fewest concerns because they have bought themselves lots of time to fix mistakes. The Cowboys and 49ers dug themselves holes they have to dig out of.

CBS Sports Power Rankings

Clubber Lang came into that second fight with Rocky undefeated. The 49ers have lost 3 times. Dont insult Clubber Lang by comparing him to the Niners.

Pro Football Talk Power Rankings

Exactly, there is something to be said about pulling out close games. And don't compare them to the Vikings from last year, like so many seem to be doing. Because the Vikings lost to the good teams they played. The Eagles are winning close against good teams. The Vikings won close vs bad teams then got beaten up when they played good teams.

Sports Illustrated Power Rankings

They are getting outgained, but what is the difference maker? Eagles are 10-10 in the Red Zone. The Eagles offense steps up when it matters. And the defense gets enough stops. That is the difference. The winner is determined by points, not yards, And the Eagles score more points. That is all that matters.

Yahoo Sports Power Rankings