Week 13 Power Rankings Roundup- Eagles Way Out On Top
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…
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 26: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)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.
Here is where they landed on the Week 13 Power Rankings:
ESPN- 1 (Previously 1)
"Philadelphia has yielded the second-most passing touchdowns in the NFL (23) and is in the bottom half of the league in takeaways (14). Special teams has turned from a liability in 2022 to a strength this season. Kicker Jake Elliott (19-of-21 on field goal attempts) is rock solid, and Britain Covey ranks fourth in punt return average (14.8 YPG)."
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.
NFL Network- 1 (Previously
"Once again, the Eagles were outplayed for long stretches by a talented foe, and once again, they came out with a victory. Last week delivered two of the more emotional and meaningful nonconference victories a team can nab, with Jalen Hurts leading just as many second-half TD drives as Philadelphia needed to win on Monday and then Sunday."
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.
The Athletic- 1 (Previously 1)
"Three coaches in NFL history have started 10-1 in back-to-back seasons, according to Elias Sports. They are Don Shula, Tony Dungy and … Nick Sirianni. The Eagles, who played without offensive tackle Lane Johnson (groin), have beaten the Cowboys, Chiefs and Bills in consecutive games, and their next three are against the 49ers, Cowboys and Seahawks."
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.
CBS Sports- 1 (Previously 1)
"They don't make it look easy, but they are finding ways to win games. That's the sign of a good team, but they do have concerns."
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.
Pro Football Talk- 1 (Previously 1)
"They really are Rocky Balboa. (Clubber Lang visits this weekend.)"
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.
Sports Illustrated- 1 (Previously 1)
"I’m sure there is some kind of flaw we are overlooking with the Eagles, and perhaps with another team we’d be a little less dazzled and critical of slow starts. But the team’s collective resilience has been stunning and leaves very little room for questioning. Save for a blowout at the hands of the 49ers this week, I can’t not view them as Super Bowl favorites."
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.
Yahoo Sports- 1 (Previously 1)
"The Eagles have been outgained by at least 98 yards in each of their past four games. They went 4-0. According to James Palmer of NFL Network, the Eagles are 5-0 when trailing at halftime and the rest of the NFL is 35-129 in that situation. An MVP favorite at quarterback, a deep roster, and a plus head coach obviously factor into a strong record in close games, but it seems unsustainable."
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.
