About a month away from the regular season, NFL Network has released their NFL Power Rankings. Many other analysts have been hot or cold on the Eagles this offseason. Some believe they are primed for a bounce back. Others are skeptical of the team’s ambitions in 2024. After the collapse in 2023, the Eagles will have much to prove to fans and the NFL alike. Two new coordinators and many new faces on the defense add more questions than answers right now. However, the NFL network’s rankings are confidently on the side that the Eagles will be bouncing back.
Eagles Rank Fifth in NFL Power Rankings
NFL Network’s NFL Power Rankings have the top five teams as so. The two Super Bowl teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Fransisco 49ers, are at one and two, respectively. Followed by the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles. The top ten is rounded out with the Texans, Bills, Packers, Bengals, and Cowboys.
While the Eagles’ overall talent is never in question, many other analysts may look at them more apprehensively. A team that struggled in 2023, who then made many different changes, can be hard to predict. However, NFL Network’s Eric Edholm believes in the corrections the Eagles will make offensively. Edholm writes, “The Kellen Moore hire felt a bit strange at first, and setting projections without Jason Kelce won’t be a finger snap, but I can see this offense returning to dominance again in time.” He also believes a strong season for Jalen Hurts is coming if he can stay healthy and limit turnovers. The Eagles offense is still loaded with playmakers, and the addition of Saquon Barkley adds another intriguing option. If Kellen Moore and Jalen Hurts stay on the same page, the Eagles’ offense will be scary, no question.
Too High or Too Low?
Fans will never be mad at seeing their team high on any power rankings. Yet, fans around the league may disagree with the Eagles ranking this high after 2023’s disappointment. With the offense bringing in a veteran play-caller in Kellen Moore, people should have confidence in the Eagle’s offense again. However, the bigger problem is not with how the offense will look. The Eagles’ defense gave up the third most points per game last season. Games against uninspiring offenses like the Commanders, Cardinals, and Giants saw the Eagles give up too many big plays. If the Eagles want to finish as a top-five team or higher in the league, they’ll need major improvements in the secondary and linebackers.
With that in mind, the Eagles have made a ton of moves on the defensive side of the ball, bringing in Vic Fangio and adding multiple players through the draft and free agency. Yet, if the Eagles’ first unofficial depth chart shows anything, it will take some time to find the right players to put on the field. There have been some setbacks with injuries for the Eagles in training camp that will make it tougher on the coaching staff as well. Additionally, the Eagles will depend greatly on young players on the defensive line. The talent is there, but the performances must come together quickly under Vic Fangio. The Eagles’ offense will be great, but how far they go will be determined by how good their defense is.
Main Image: Bill Streicher – USA Today Sports
