Sixty years ago, in 1964— a plane flew over Franklin Field during an Eagles Game with a banner fluttering behind it. This wasn’t some random Philadelphia advertising campaign or a flag flopping a positive message for the Philly team in the daytime breeze. This was the clear-cut message funded by the fans that read, “Joe Must Go.”
The Eagles were far removed from the team that won an NFL Championship on the same Franklin Field six years earlier — and spirited Head Coach Joe Kuharich was on the hot seat. Pacing up and down the sideline with his blue suit, tie, and hat, flailing his arms, and looking for the water cooler for the occasional swig — Kuharich became famous for his animated sideline antics before finally marching in the other direction.
When your team is undefeated in Philly, you get a little slack. When your team ekes out a win against one of the worst AFC teams to move to one game above .500 after looking anemic over the last ten months with one of the most talented offenses in the NFL — you don’t. Last week, Nick Sirianni walked behind the Eagles sideline and once again began screaming at fans as the seconds ticked away in a 20–16 win over the Cleveland Browns.
In his second year, Sirianni’s 9–1 Eagles pulled off a comeback win against the Indianapolis Colts on the way to Super Bowl LVII. With seconds left in the game — Sirianni walked behind the sideline and started screaming at some fans behind the bench area. He evidentially didn’t get the message that this wasn’t how to handle yourself.
In 1976 — an unruly fan at Veterans Stadium screamed at Eagles Head Coach Dick Vermeil as he was running out of the tunnel. Attempting to get into the stands after the fan — Vermeil was ironically restrained by former Eagles great Chuck Bednarik. After four seasons as Eagles Head Coach — Joe Kuharich was finally fired in 1968. His most significant fault — winning just enough to keep the Eagles out of the running for the top draft pick that year. He was a running back from USC named O.J. Simpson.
Not only has he been good, but he has also added a new dynamic to the offense.
Barkley Is as Good as Advertised
So far, Barkley has lived up to the hype and more. Looking at basic metrics, he averages 0.7 more yards per carry (5.3 versus 4.6) than D’Andre Swift was as the king of the running back position last season. Despite having an offensive line without Jason Kelce on it—this isn’t even Barkley’s full form.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
The appeal here is both Barkley’s efficiency and explosiveness. First, we’ll start with the former. For the third season in a row, he is top 10 in rushing yards over expected (RYOE) with 133 in the early stages. The investment here has been well worth it, as he has gained yardage at a much higher rate (1.52 yards per attempt) than he theoretically should.
That total is being inflated because of a few plays in particular, though. Barkley has always been an explosive football player, but 11 explosive carries (rushes with at least 10 yards) in 91 attempts certainly adds something to an offense. That’s nearly three more explosive carries per 100 attempts than Swift last season, which is well worth the increased cost of a big-name running back.
When the Eagles’ offense was stalling against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, he took matters into his own hands and rushed for a game-changing 65-yard touchdown. Down 3-0 in the fourth quarter, Barkley’s contributions made a loss become a win. He did this in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, too, but it was a bit too little, too late for the Birds. Still, a player who can flip the field is invaluable.
Should Barkley See More Usage?
Barkley is averaging 21 touches per game this season. Is that enough?
There are a lot of mouths to feed on a fully healthy Eagles offense, but Barkley might just be the most important. While there hasn’t been a game this season where he’s had a ridiculous workload, his two highest-usage games were the ones where the Eagles scored the most and second-most points in a game this season.
Barkley wasn’t signed to be the face of the Eagles’ offense. Jalen Hurts has a responsibility to keep defenses honest with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but he might be relying on his arm a bit too much. Though it’s probably not in his future, could a 30-carry game be beneficial to the offense?
This is a fair question to ask, seeing as the 2024 campaign hasn’t been Hurts’ brightest. He has been far from poor, but it’s plausible that Barkley can be the piece to elevate the unit.
The Eagles hit a grand slam with Barkley’s signing.
He has added a new dynamic to the offense and emerged as a player Hurts can depend on if he needs a safety blanket.
7 Weeks into the season, and the Eagles sit at 3-2. Good enough for 2nd in the NFC East, and 9th in the NFC.
It might not be the perfect situation, but there’s still 11 weeks worth of football to watch. And withthe Saints falling to 2-5 tonight, the Eagles will have an opportunity to make another NFC team 2-5 on Sunday.
The New York Giants
While Sunday will be the Eagles first divisional matchup on the season, the Giants have already stacked up losses against the Commanders (21-18) and Cowboys (20-15). Not that the Giants were expected to be fighting for a top seed in the NFC, but dropping their first 2 divisional games wouldn’t help.
Averaging only 16 points per game, the Giants offense has struggled with and without Rookie WR Malik Nabers. Managing to score a season high 29 without Nabers against Seattle, and struggling to put up more than 7 against the Bengals.
The good news is, the Giants defense gives up an average of 20.16 points per game.
Falling to 2-4 on the season was the least of the Giants woes with an inconsistent level of play that rivals the Eagles. Much like in Philly, the Giants injury report was stacking up too.
Injuries In The Trenches
Both of these teams have thrived off their lines. The Eagles, relying on the high-level of play of the offensive line, will be without Jordan Mailata. With concern if Milton Williams and Jalen Carter will be available for Sundays game.
And on the blue sideline, the Giants have an even worse problem. It was announced on Wednesday that Andrew Thomas would miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury, and on the other side of the ball, with 26 combined Sacks, the Giants defensive line has carried the weight of their success. However with Kayvon Thibodeaux on IR for the next few weeks. The list goes on as both Dexter Lawrence AND Brian Burns have yet to practice at this point in the week.
How Could The Offense Fare?
With injuries on both lines for BOTH teams, running backs could make or break the game for either team. The Eagles know what they have, and what they can get out of Saquon Barkley. If Fred Johnson is able to continue to play successfully as the Eagles LT for the next few weeks, the offense might continue to run smoothly in an offense that has only had its two star receivers for 2 games of the season.
Averaging 21.2 points a game this season doesn’t paint as clear a picture of an offense that still hunts for the big play and refuses to take points when they matter. A wounded Giants team provides a perfect chance to get the offense back in full swing, and hopefully see a high scoring team like we did in Brazil.
There’s multiple reunions at MetLife this weekend. Mekhi Becton’s return to his former home stadium. And Saquon’s return to play his former team – and now divisional rival.
Since Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2017, the excitement around local sports has reached new heights.
With the Eagles, Phillies, and Sixers capturing the hearts of fans, the addition of betting has created a buzz that’s hard to ignore.
Let’s take a closer look at how this trend is shaping the experience for Philadelphia sports enthusiasts.
The Legalization of Sports Betting in Pennsylvania
When Pennsylvania opened the doors to sports betting, it was a game-changer. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal PASPA, states across the country jumped on board. In just a few years, Pennsylvania has become one of the top states for sports betting, with both in-person and online options available. Fans can place their bets from the comfort of their homes or at local sportsbooks, including platforms like Golden Panda Online Casino.
The Numbers Speak
PHOTO: Unsplash
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2023 alone, Pennsylvania’s sports betting market raked in over $800 million in revenue. That’s a significant chunk of change! What’s even more interesting is that about 85 % of these bets are placed online. It seems that fans love the convenience of mobile betting, especially during those nail-biting moments when every second counts.
Football is king in Pennsylvania, with the Eagles leading the charge as the most bet-on team. As they gear up for their games, bettors are keeping a close eye on odds and spreads. For instance, recent odds have the Eagles favored by 8.5 points against teams like the Cleveland Browns. This kind of information not only drives betting but also shapes how fans feel about their team’s chances.
A Shift in Fan Culture
The rise of sports betting has changed how fans interact with their favorite teams. Game days are no longer just about watching; they’re about participating in a shared experience that includes placing bets. Friends gather to watch games together, often discussing their wagers and cheering for not just their team but also their bets.Local sportsbooks have taken advantage of this trend by hosting events that bring fans together. Whether it’s watch parties or special promotions tied to game outcomes, these gatherings foster camaraderie among bettors and fans alike. It’s all about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels like they’re part of something bigger.
The Importance of Responsible Gambling
With all this excitement comes a responsibility to gamble wisely. As sports betting becomes more mainstream, it’s crucial for both regulators and sportsbooks to promote safe practices. That’s why many organizations are stepping up with educational campaigns aimed at helping bettors understand the risks involved.Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see how sports betting continues to shape Philadelphia’s sports culture. The connection between fans and their teams is stronger than ever, driven by a shared interest in both winning games and making smart bets.
Coming out of the week 5 bye and into a game against the Cleveland Browns, the Eagles are expected to start rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean in the slot, replacing Avonte Maddox.
The move comes as Philly’s defense ranks 27th after four games, giving up approximately 365.8 yards each. It also places the Eagles’ top two 2024 Draft selections together in the defensive backfield for the first time ever. Hopefully, the first time is for a long time.
DeJean was a Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, a Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year, and a unanimous consensus All-American at the University of Iowa.
PHOTO: WikiCommons
Twenty-two years earlier — in the NFL Draft of 2002 — the Eagles selected Sheldon Brown alongside Lito Sheppard to help anchor Jim Johnson’s secondary. Sheppard was taken in the first round, Brown in the second. The result of both additions helped to produce one of the finest Eagles’ defenses since the early 1990s — an attacking defense with innovative blitz packages from the creative mind of defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, whose defensive schemes made opposing teams feel like the Eagles had twenty-five defenders on the field instead of eleven. As a team — those Eagles would advance to three more NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl before both players were no longer on the team.
Through four games of the 2024 NFL season — Quinyon Mitchell has been targeted and singled out by opposing defenses. By en-large, he has not only shown his ability and skills as a defender but also his fiery will to compete. For fellow draft-class member Cooper DeJean — the road to his first NFL action has been a little more tenuous. DeJean injured his hamstring before Training Camp. Thrust into action on special teams due to a shoulder injury to returner Britain Covey, last week DeJean fumbled a punt return when the officials picked up a flag for kick-catch interference after Isaiah Rodgers, Jr. blocked a Tampa Bay Player into him. Later, Kelle Ringo plowed in DeJean on another return opportunity.
Avonte Maddox — selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft one year removed from the Eagles Super Bowl Championship— has been to five playoff appearances with the Eagles, including Super Bowl LVII in 2023. After a string of injuries over the next four years, Maddox was released by the Eagles in March of 2024 and re-signed with the team one month later.
For the Eagles — the hope is that starting the future of the secondary now can help solidify a Vic Fangio defense that has yet to battle NFC East receivers such as Malik Nabers, CeeDee Lamb, and Terry McLaurin in 2024.
If the secondary doesn’t make those plays in 2024 — they won’t be playing into the winter of 2025.
By the Second Quarter — the Comeback Was In Full Effect.
PHOTO: Philadelphia Eagles
For a team that was predicted to be a Super Bowl contender in 1991- the season wasn’t going well for Philly by early November. The Eagles were 4–5 and had lost All-Pro Quarterback Randall Cunningham to a season-ending knee injury in the first game of the season. But Super Bowl Champion Jim McMahon was back, and the Eagles were in Cleveland on November 10th fighting for their playoff lives.
For nearly two quarters, the league’s best defense was exploited by a 42-yard interception return by Eric Turner and Bernie Kosar’s two touchdown passes to put the Browns up 23–0. The Eagles began a furious comeback sparked by an eighteen-yard touchdown pass from McMahon to Keith Jackson. McMahon then connected with Fred Barnett on a seventy-yard touchdown pass. Eagles kicker Roger Ruzek made four field goals to pull the Eagles within 30–26.
After a fourth-quarter Webster Slaughter fumble on a punt return while trying to come out of his end zone and Eagles recovery at the three-yard line — McMahon found Calvin Williams for a five-yard score to put the Eagle up 32–30 permanently.
The win pulled the Eagles to a .500 record at 5–5. Despite finishing the 1991 season with a 5–1 record down the stretch and the #1 defense against the pass, the run, and yards allowed, the team would finish without making the playoffs. The comeback in Cleveland, however, orchestrated thanks in part to Jim McMahon’s 341 passing yards, wouldn’t just be a season highlight.
It would be the second-largest comeback in franchise history to that point.
Overall, the Philadelphia Eagles have had an underwhelming start to their season. In their previous two campaigns combined, they had a 14-1 record entering their bye week. Entering their 2024 bye, they had a middling 2-2 record with a minus-10 point differential. Suffice to say, things have changed.
However, not everything has to be doom and gloom. Yes, the Eagles have played poorly. Blame it on injuries all you’d like, the team has been playing down to their competition for a long time now. That said, there’s time to turn it around in Week 6 against the 1-4 Cleveland Browns.
Eagles Have No Excuse to Lose
Simply put, the Browns have struggled to show anything resembling a competent offense. Ranked 25th in rushing expected points average per play (EPA/play) and 31st in drop-back EPA/play, there’s nothing redeeming here. Nearly six percentage points below the next-worst team (32.3 percent versus the Miami Dolphins’ 38.2 percent) in success rate on downs one through three, there couldn’t be a better unit for the Birds to face.
You’d probably think the Browns have a top-end defense, but they don’t based on the numbers. It feasted against three underwhelming offenses (Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders) and gave up 33 and 34 points against the legitimately good ones (Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders). Now, it’s the Eagles’ turn.
In terms of EPA/play, the Browns only have the 14th-best defense in the NFL. It’s a solid unit, but not one that the Birds shouldn’t be able to take advantage of when Sunday comes. If the Cowboys and Commanders could beat this team by a combined 37 points, the Eagles should be able to just win the football game. With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson healthy, there is absolutely zero excuse not to.
This Is the Eagles’ Chance at Domination
We’ll know a lot about the Eagles after Sunday. They haven’t won a game by more than one score in nearly an entire calendar year (Oct. 22, 2023, versus Miami), perfectly exemplifying Philadelphia’s tendency to play down to teams they are clearly superior to. If they’re in a tight defensive matchup like the Jaguars, Giants, and Raiders, those teams are who the Eagles are.
If they can barely sneak out a win or lose entirely, the Eagles are a Jacksonville, New York, or Las Vegas type of team—not good. Especially since they’re at home, their patented “ugly win” is not going to cut it this time. If you plan to be competitive with the Cowboys and Commanders for NFC East supremacy, win, and win big.
It might seem a little harsh to write off a team because they won a football game but “not by enough points”, but this has been the story for an entire year now. It’s now or never; break the curse.
What a Big Win Could Do for the Eagles
Aside from being 3-2, in the race for a division title, and still possibly in the conversation for the top seed in the NFC (the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings are bound to lose at some point, right?), a big win would give the Eagles their swagger back. They haven’t had any of that since, well, they went to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles won 10 of their first 11 games last season, but they didn’t do so convincingly. In 2022, they were convincingly dominant—anyone predicting a collapse was doing so out of spite because the team plays in Philadelphia. In 2023, people predicting a collapse were watching the games. This team hasn’t had the feeling of a stress-free win in so long, and it’s time to end that.
Perhaps, a big win can bring a return to the 2022 days of this team. Maybe that’s a little too premature, but it’s worth establishing just how important a clean win would be. Most good teams do this all the time, but it’s been a struggle for Philadelphia
With all due respect, the Browns do not touch the Eagles in the talent department. Now with a healthy roster, it’s time to start having fun again. Win by a lot, and people will start to forget about your Week 2 and Week 4 collapses.
The Moment in Time When Nick Sirianni’s Eagles Were Changed Forever.
Shortly after you absorb that euphoric feeling of your team winning a Super Bowl — you immediately want to feel it again.
Not fifteen minutes after Tom Brady’s final Hail Mary Pass in Super Bowl LII fell short in the end zone — the priority shifted from celebration to preservation.
What would it take for the Eagles to return to claim another Lombardi Trophy?
The wait for another shot at NFL immortality wasn’t as quick as initially wished for, but it wasn’t as long as it could have been.
Just two years after the Eagles hired 39-year-old coach Nick Sirianni and committed to 23-year-old quarterback Jalen Hurts — the Eagles whose seemed like its bold offense could never be stopped from scoring — were back in the Super Bowl once again.
When the Eagles advanced to Super Bowl LVII and powered their way to a 24–14 lead through two quarters — it looked as though not even a short halftime to regroup could save Andy Reid’s Chiefs and a hobbled Patrick Mahomes.
PHOTO: Denny Medley/Imagn Images
During that fifteen-minute window — with Rhianna crescendoing her greatest hits on a stage at the 50-yard line — something happened to the Eagles. Perhaps it was arrogance, overconfidence, or inexperience. Perhaps it was a feeling that they were better than the game itself. Perhaps it was a combination of all of these.
What happened during the next 30 minutes was that a Head Coach—once skewered in Philadelphia for nearly fourteen years for not being able to make in-game adjustments—flipped the script on the Eagles. He gave his injured quarterback quick throws, attacked the Eagles’ defense in different ways, and contained Philly’s devastating offensive attack.
The team that wins the second half wins the game. That is exactly what happened.
Nick Sirianni’s Eagles never recovered from that moment. Even when the Eagles were eking out wins at 10–1 last season, something didn’t look right. When they went 1–6 the rest of the way, something certainly didn’t.
Many people didn’t want Nick Sirianni back this season. But making a convincing argument to stay — he did. At an early bye week, the Eagles are 2–2. They return from Tampa after yet another shellacking to a team that doesn’t have a talent level equal to Philadelphia.
Since 2016, the Eagles have spent too much time purging themselves of coaches and players who utilize arrogance as a defining quality. The last coach and franchise quarterback to try to plow forward, driven by this sense, left the Eagles in an eventual rebuild.
For the Eagles to return to the euphoric feeling of the NFC Championship Game win against the 49ers in 2023, it will take an adjustment of this team back to good fundamental football and a new approach for one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
When the Philadelphia Eagles were down A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson in their Week 4 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, some were expecting a loss (atypical for a team as good as the Birds). Not only did the Eagles lose, but they did so pretty emphatically—the game was never close.
Philadelphia, looking like they were playing a completely different sport than Tampa Bay, had their biggest weakness exposed to the world. That weakness is the fact that they are utterly clueless without a drastic talent advantage over their opponent.
Eagles Crumble When There Isn’t a Talent Gap
Ordinarily, losing three top-tier players in a road matchup against a team that won a playoff game is a death sentence. But talent-wise, the Eagles were still objective neck-and-neck with Tampa Bay, if not better. People had every reason to think they’d win.
With almost even defenses in terms of expected points average per play (EPA/play), the better offensive line still objectively belonging to Philadelphia, and the top two playmakers in the game being members of the Eagles (Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts), it’s almost like those three studs weren’t needed.
But in practice, they were, because the Eagles are dependent on their talent to win football games. When two sides are more or less even, they get crushed. Last week was not the first time this happened.
Counting Theme from the 2023 Season
The best roster Philadelphia faced last season was the San Francisco 49ers, and the result was a 42-19 whooping. Without Brown in the playoffs against the Buccaneers, it was a 32-9 whooping. If an enormous talent advantage isn’t present, the Birds play like they did in Week 4 way too often.
It has been a theme both last season and this one that the Eagles get outplayed by basically everyone. Vastly superior talent has been hiding the team’s struggles for a long time now—it is finally starting to show record-wise (2-2 isn’t bad by any means, but it’s certainly a disappointment).
Now, every team needs a good core of players to win football games. It’s just not feasible to win on a week-to-week basis with zero talent. However, teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Pittsburgh Steelers are managing just fine. Even the Green Bay Packers won two games with Malik Willis as their quarterback instead of the previously highest-paid player in NFL history, Jordan Love.
The Eagles weren’t always the way they are now, though. Between play-calling and consistently losing the turnover battle, they have severely fallen from their glory days in 2022. The good news is that all of this is fixable, at least in theory—much of the same faces are present.
But until smarter football is played, expect the same result. Confidence should be fading.
The Eagles still have the potential to be one of the best teams in the NFL. Home-field advantage in the postseason is very much in play, and a first-round bye week is also in the cards. But something has to click for this team.
The way that Philadelphia is operating now will make them lucky to see the playoffs. And that’s assuming the key players stay healthy. This team is way too good to be playing like they are—something has to change. Head coach Nick Sirianni’s seat isn’t just hot, it has gone up in flames.
After another pitiful performance in Tampa Bay, the Eagles sit tied for 2nd in the NFC East.
Hopefully the Eagles can avoid meeting the Buccaneers in the Wildcard round, again.
Moving on to the early bye week at 2-2 isn’t the end for the Eagles, but it isn’t instilling much hope.
Offensive Woes
Sure the Eagles have been without A.J. Brown for multiple weeks and spent a game and a half without Lane Johnson & DeVonta Smith. But they only average 21.5 points per game in 4 games this season, which drops to 17.3 not including the packers game.
This is also a team that has 8 turnovers on offense and 8(!) 3&Outs. What gives?
Where’s The Motion?
Last season, the Eagles ranked dead last in motion(10.9%) While the Chargers(25.9%) were ranked 8th(Kellen Moore’s last team) while having Easton Stick start multiple games at QB.
With the hire of Moore in the offseason, everyone was expecting a more competent offense. Now loaded with even more talent in the backfield and along the offensive line.
But through 4 weeks…
Motion report through 4 weeks!
First number is motion at the snap, second number is all motion.
The Eagles are in the middle of the pack. Which becomes concerning when you see NextGenStats posting the Eagles used 65.8% in their season debut.
Makes you question why there’s been such a decline in only a matter of weeks.
Why are the Eagles afraid of short yardage plays down 3 of their best players?
Down 2 of your Weapons. Why does Saquon only see the ball 10 times? No wonder the offense stalls.
After admitting to being the one to call a USELESS fake QB sneak in New Orleans. How much of the Offense does Nick Sirianni have control of?
And most importantly.
Why does this team feel so similar to last years?
The Missing Piece
Normally, when a team cleans house, they clean house. It was already questioned last year what Nick Sirianni did as Eagles head coach following last years disastrous end. Somehow, he was able to keep his job.
Brian Johnson was let go as the scape goat to the collapse of the offense compared to their Super Bowl season. But now in Washington, Jayden Daniels is thriving as the Commanders hold 1st place in the NFC East.
Dennard Wilson is now the Defensive Coordinator in Tennessee, and finding some success with a team that isn’t having a great season. After spending last season with the Ravens as a Defensive Backs Coach & Passing Game Coordinator, the same position he held in Philadelphia the 2 years prior.
There’s multiple coaches who have left the Eagles who are finding success. And yet the Eagles seem to be stagnant now 2 years after their Super Bowl appearance. Even after bringing in highly valued coordinators on both sides of the ball.
With many inconsistencies and similarities causing concern just 4 weeks into the season. A 2-2 record might not look bad, but how many head coaches can survive a 3-8 run to end and begin seasons with high expectations?
With the weakest strength of schedule in the league and 13 games still left to play. There aren’t many excuses for this Eagles team to not still be competitive and push for a top seed in the playoffs. But with the way they’ve been playing, there better be some good performances following the bye week. Otherwise the playoffs could soon be out of reach.
The Eagles of the Late 80s and Early 90s Had Done Amazing Things On the Field.
Winning a Playoff Game Hadn’t Been One of Them.
For today’s Eagles faithful, it’s hard to envision a time when the Birds couldn’t maintain a top-10 NFL offense and hadn’t won a playoff game in over a decade. But that will be the long-standing legacy of Buddy Ryan and Rich Kotite in Philadelphia.
Unfortunately, a record-setting defense and quarterback complete with acrobatic excellence does nothing if you don’t win. And if you call your boss “the guy in France,” you’d better win.
Nearly 30 years ago, in Rich Kotite’s second season as Head Coach, the Eagles were in a wildcard game in New Orleans down on the Bayou. In 1988, the Eagles lost the Fog Bowl at Soldier Field in Chicago — a place that an NFL team from Philly hadn’t won since the Frankford Yellow Jackets beat the Bears in the final game of 1931. In 1989, the Eagles lost to Steve Everett and the LA Rams at home, and 1990 Body Bag Game #2 went to Washington.
PHOTO: WikiCommons
With an 11–5 record, the Eagles were in the playoffs once again. The beginning of this one seemed to unfold just as in previous contests. Down 20–7 in the third quarter, Randall Cunningham connected with Fred Barnett on a 35-yard touchdown pass. A six-yard Heath Sherman rushing touchdown gave the Eagles the lead. That proceeded a Reggie White safety in the end zone on Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert.
Finally, an Eric Allen 18-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the deal.
The win would prove to be Kotite’s only one as Eagles Head Coach. The 1992 team would be Reggie White’s last as Eagles.
The following week, the Eagles would be throttled by the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys, 34–10. But even that couldn’t diminish the comeback at the Superdome.
By the numbers, quarterback Jalen Hurts is still one of the best in the NFL. Without him, the Philadelphia Eagles would not be the contender that they are now (no, a one-point loss against the Atlanta Falcons doesn’t change that, at least not yet).
The Eagles have had their issues so far this season, particularly with their pass rush. It’s been an issue going all the way back to 2023—there has to be some improvement on that front. But the team has managed even with that weakness. What really needs to change? Hurts’ game-changing turnovers.
Hurts Is Still a Terrific Quarterback
As mentioned, Hurts is still one of the best quarterbacks in the business. Among quarterbacks with at least 50 snaps this season, he is eighth out of 30 in terms of composite expected points average (EPA) and completion percentage over expected (CPOE) with a score of 0.136. Basically, he’s very efficient and makes the Eagles a better football team. He is elite.
We don’t need advanced stats to tell us that Hurts is among the NFL’s best, though. That much is apparent with the basic eye test. He can break off soul-crushing runs to a defense, is an accurate passer, and effectively puts the ball in the hands of his best receivers so they can make a play. Sure, he’s expensive with an average annual value (AAV) of $51 million through 2028, but he gets the job done. And to a very high degree.
With all that praise aside, Hurts has a turnover problem. And he has going back into last season.
Hurts’ Mistakes in 2024 Have Taken Away from His Greatness
Specifically, we can start with his Week 1 affair against the Green Bay Packers. On his first possession of the season, he threw a pretty needless third-down interception from his own end zone that was returned to inside the red zone to set up Green Bay for easy points. It wouldn’t be entirely fair to blame him for his next drive, but he fumbled a snap (once again deep in Philadelphia territory) and set up the Packers for more easy points. He wasn’t done there, throwing yet another needless third-down interception, this time in the opposing end zone to essentially take three points off of the board in what was then a five-point game.
The Packers did almost nothing to take advantage of these errors, putting up just nine points in the process (all field goals). You do the math—had the Eagles’ defense not stopped the bleeding, a 34-29 win could have realistically become a loss. And for what? Two interceptions that really didn’t need to happen and a fumbled snap (that, again, wasn’t totally on Hurts)? Against that kind of opponent, it just cannot happen.
Hurts was looking strong in Week 2 against the Falcons, but the Eagles turned an almost guaranteed win into a one-point deficit against them with 34 seconds and two timeouts to spare in the fourth quarter. That wasn’t really his fault—he was playing well.
Starting at the Falcons’ 30-yard line and only needing a field goal for a win, all Hurts needed to do was gain about 25 yards to give Jake Elliott a chance to kick the winner. And with that much time and two timeouts, this was a realistic hope for Philadelphia. After looking dangerous with an early first-down completion and 27 seconds still showing on the clock with a timeout, a win seemed more probable than a loss. On the next play, he threw a double-coverage interception—ball game.
Hurts threw six interceptions in 15 games when he finished runner-up for the league’s MVP award in 2022 and won 14 of those 15 contests. He already has three interceptions and a loss this season.
It’s not rocket science—turning over the football is bad. When he threw 15 interceptions last season, that’s when one of the most turnover-elusive quarterbacks in the NFL became the opposite. No, not even a talented Eagles team can make up for this. Nobody can be perfect, but sometimes you have to pick your battles. His turnovers nearly cost the Eagles a win in Week 1 and his turnover in Week 2 sealed their fate in an otherwise still-winnable affair.
Can Hurts Overcome This?
In 2023, Hurts had a couple of eerily similar mistakes as he did against Atlanta, effectively costing the team a win. Against the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks, two other late interceptions were thrown and gave the Eagles a one-score loss when neither defeat really had to happen. All blame can’t be placed on a quarterback (and that’s not the goal here), but an interception being wiped off of the board in both those games would have given them not just the NFC East title, but a first-round bye week. Yes, the Eagles would have moved right on to the Divisional Round had they won both of those games.
Once again, Hurts is one of the best in the business. When he isn’t turning the ball over, he’s an MVP candidate. But since he was legitimately in the conversation to win it, he has thrown the ball to the other team way more than before.
The question here is simple: Can he return to his old form? Can he keep the ball out of his opponent’s hands? Because, if he can, he’s objectively a top-5 quarterback. And maybe even higher.
The talent in this player is inspiring, because you know he has the ability to be better. Can he limit his interceptions from here on out?
We’re only entering Week 3, which is the good news about all of this. The Eagles are tied for the NFC East crown at 1-1 and they beat one of the tougher opponents on their schedule—the Packers.
There’s a lot of time for Hurts to avoid having a Jameis Winston-esque 26 touchdown and 26 interception campaign (the latter threw 30 of each in 2019). But some improvements will have to be made. Can Hurts reach his potential?
And just like that, there’s an eerie feeling about this 2024 Eagles team.
We’re only 2 weeks into the season, so there’s no reason to give up all hope and abandon ship just yet. But with a catastrophic 4th quarter loss to the Falcons. There’s some glimpses of last years Eagles still prevalent today.
Red Zone Inconsistencies
There’s a few things the Eagles struggle with inside the red zone on offense.
Not only did Saquon Barkley not see the ball inside the red zone until the 5:53 mark in the 3rd quarter.
While the Eagles scored 3 touchdowns from Barkley in the red zone. 3rd & shorts became unmanageable without him. including what would have been the game-ending reception, dropped from Barkley’s fingertips.
But that was the least of their concern.
4th Down Aggressiveness
We’re coming up to 3 years of the Tush Push being an unstoppable play for only one team in the league.
But there’s plenty of opportunities wasted where the Eagles could play for a 4th and 1 situation.
Not only are they able to play for these short situations, but the inconsistency of when it’s time to take points, or shoot for the endzone continues to be mind boggling.
Below are the following situations, and how the Eagles approached them.
Drive #2 (1st Q, 0-0)
The Eagles had gone for 49 yards before this drive ended. 39 of those, had gone to Saquon Barkley. Afterwards, the drive stalled, and an attempt on 4th down had the Eagles score 0 points after matching down the field.
Drive #4 (2nd Q, 3-0 ATL)
This is one of those drives where the $255M Hurts contract looks like a value deal.
The decision to run the ball on 4th & 3 paid off, and led to the Eagles scoring 7 to take the lead before halftime.
Drive #5 (3rd Q, 9-7 ATL)
Once again the Eagles found themselves in the redzone, and chose not to give the ball back to Saquon Barkley in short yardage situations.
Devonta Smith got them down the field, but this was the 3rd drive to feature a designed play for Britain Covey, that was lucky to go for the positive yards that they had.
The loss of AJ Brown for what could be several weeks is an issue, but there’s plenty of players who barely saw targets, including recently acquired Jahan Dotson, who went 1/1 for 6 yards.
Now when you get to the fact the Eagles were scared of a 4th & short situation. Electing to kick a Field Goal to go up 10-9. They had already left 3 points off the board, why not try it again? You could always hope for a stop or a turnover from your defense, right? Right?
Drive #7 (4th Q 15-10 ATL)
The Eagles first use of the Tush Push during the home opener came during a 17 play, 70 yard drive that took up 9:34 of the clock. If they had saved some more time, perhaps none of the final drives of the game would have been as chaotic as they were.
Drive #8 (4th Q, 18-15 PHI)
Once again, the Eagles were afraid of a 4th and short situation that could have not only ended the game, but they had played coy to kill the clock instead of going up 2 scores, something they’ve had no problem doing in previous games.
The Eagles have a refusal to close out games on offense the easy way. opting for big plays, like in Seattle last year. Or both matchups against Washington.
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the Eagles first loss. But the team has made Roster and Staff changes to prevent what happened last year from happening again.
As a girl who’s a die-hard football fan, it’s tough out here. I have men who don’t believe that I actually follow the sport and women who complain about having to watch the game in general. Football has been a male-dominated territory for a long time, but Taylor Swift is making groundbreaking changes.
With her regular attendance at Kansas City Chiefs games in support of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, Swift is basically guaranteeing that women will be there for NFL games now…even if it’s only to catch a glimpse of Miss Swift herself.
And even if you’re not a Swiftie, more and more women are watching football more than ever. Whether it’s because your father, brother, uncle, friend, or boyfriend forced you to watch alongside them…or because you and your gal pals started an all female fantasy football league just for fun.
Where I live, Sundays are great days to go out and socialize. Bars are packed with people watching the games, so even if you’re not a fan it’s a fantastic excuse to get out of your house.
Morning Consult Brand Intelligence reported that, in December 2023, 64% of Gen-Z and millennial women held the NFL in a favorable view. The interest surrounding football goes beyond Swift now, and the NFL must do something to continue to capitalize on that.
Yes, it helps that heartthrobs like Joe Burrow exist simply to keep women interested. But what’s more interesting is that women are starting to care about the game itself.
I’m in an all girls fantasy league, where almost no one cared about football beforehand. However now, everyone is super invested in their teams.
But even more critical is looking good during the football season. For so long, the NFL neglected their women’s merch. Even more egregious, all the team apparel for women was hideous.
However, since football has turned over a new leaf…things have improved significantly. Now, it’s about looking trendy this 2024 football season. And I’m here to make sure you do just that.
Here are my favorite women’s NFL apparel picks for 2024:
Abercrombie
Abercrombie genuinely has some of the best NFL apparel for both men and women. It’s all on-trend, vintage in the right way, and a fan favorite. Seriously, every girl I know has one of the NFL sweatshirts from Abercrombie.
My roommate has this sweater and swears it changed her life because it’s so incredibly soft. Plus, the designs for your designated team are actually cute. Whether you like the quarterback because he’s handsome or because he can escape a sack like a magician…these sweaters are a staple this football season.
There was a time where only a few stores carried women’s NFL apparel. Since we’re in better days, plenty of women-focused stores now sell NFL gear that you’d actually wear.
This American Eagle Dolphins crewneck is oversized in the best way. Fine to wear with baggy jeans, leggings, a nice skort, or just biker shorts a la Princess Diana. An oversized crewneck is a staple for your closet…so make it NFL-themed.
Junk Food
Junk Food is the go-to for graphic tees and sweatshirts. So it should be easy to find something for your NFL team on this site, because everything is simply adorable.
This thermal is outstanding for everyday wear during the colder months when you’ll be rooting for your fave team (in this case, the Eagles) while still serving looks. Not a fan of the Birds? Don’t fret, they have every team on this site.
NFL Shop
Vintage is very in right now, which is why this Buffalo Bills sweater by Tommy Hilfiger is a must-have. With a double v-neck and the red, white, and blue trim, this sweatshirt gives the perfect dose of nostalgia.
Order one a few sizes bigger than your normal and you have an excellent oversized sweatshirt for the fall!
New Era
The perfect NFL baby tee does exist, and it’s sold at New Era. With a simple embroidered cursive font and logo, this baby tee doesn’t have a lot going on. But it works with jeans and a leather jacket for a cute gameday fit.
It’s one of the most popular NFL apparel pieces this season for a reason, so get it while you can!
Topgolf and Pepsi are helping NFL fans mix up where they want to watch their favorite games this season – and hosting one of Philly’s most legendary players to sweeten the deal.
Ahead of next week’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, Pepsi, and Topgolf will allow Eagles fans to meet Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Westbrook exclusively at Topgolf Philadelphia.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Pepsi
Westbrook will be available for photos and autograph opportunities on Monday, September 16, from 5 to 7 PM ET.
To lock in the chance to master their swing alongside the Eagles’ great, players must RSVP in advance for a free, photo-only reservation or a standard bay reservation. Reservations can be made online.
To fuel game days – and Eagles fans’ Super Bowl aspirations – Pepsi and Topgolf are also:
Launching an exclusive sweepstakes for Topgolf players to have the chance to be automatically entered to win BIG when they play at Topgolf – with prizes including tickets for two to the big game in New Orleans, NFL store gift cards, jerseys, and tickets to regular seasons games. Players need to score on specific shots (5th, 10th, or 15th in standard mode; 5th in quick mode) from now until Oct 31, 2024, to be entered to win.
Offering a $25 game day bundle for the crew only available for Sunday, Monday, and Thursday game days. The epic value comes with a hot honey pepperoni flatbread, pretzel bites, and up to four Pepsi fountain drinks (Pepsi®, Diet Pepsi®, and Pepsi Zero Sugar®) (available 9/1/24-10/31/24).
Physical Matchups Are Like Second Nature When the Eagles Meet the Packers.
PHOTO: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
In the waning moments of the Eagles and Packers Game on Friday night, with Green Bay’s offense down 34–29 and needing a touchdown late in the fourth quarter and desperately trying to get into range for one last-gasp hail mary — Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love was sacked by Jalen Carter.
Writhing in pain on the night Brazilian Turf—Love was taken off of the field and replaced by Malik Willis — who was also then sacked to secure the first Philadelphia win in a season where the Eagles are considered a top contender in the NFC for the Super Bowl.
In another season when the Eagles were a Super Bowl contender, the 1991 season they opened with Philadelphia playing at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles began the season with perhaps the franchise’s best defense in team history, coupled with one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks in Randall Cunningham. In the second quarter, Packers linebacker Bryce Paup landed on Randall Cunningham’s knee — tearing his ACL — an injury that would sideline him for the rest of the 1991 season.
That 1991 team did give us some amazing moments. The defense was number 1 against the pass, the run, and total yards. During an away game at Houston in a stadium designated as the House of Pain — the Eagles obliterated Warren Moon and the Houston Oilers’ Shoot Offense. In week 3, the Eagles sacked Dallas Quarterback Troy Aikman eleven times in a 24–3 romp at Texas Stadium. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, the Eagles would return from a 24–0 deficit to win 32–30.
Unfortunately, without Cunningham and an injured two-time Super Bowl Champion in Jim McMahon — the Eagles had to rely on a carousel of signal callers like veteran Jeff Kemp — and would miss the playoffs with a 10–6 record.
Some will blame the turf at Corinthians Stadium or the Eagles defense for Love’s injury in Brazil. Everyone must expect a physical matchup for two of the oldest franchises in NFL history. In Brazil, that’s exactly what we have.
After the 1991 win in Houston against the Oilers, Eagles Defensive Tackle Jerome Brown said, “They brought the house. WE brought the pain.”
In the wild, deep, and largely untouched expanse of America’s wildness — Falcons and Eagles sometimes entangle. For the Eagles and Falcons in two different NFC Divisions, playing against each other hasn’t been an annual tradition. It has, however, brought us some of the best moments for both franchises. On Monday night, as the Eagles look to continue a path to the Super Bowl — Lincoln Financial Field will once again be electric for another chapter in a history that already runs deep between these two franchises.
PHOTO: John David Mercer/Imagn Images
Since Atlanta entered the NFL in 1966 — the teams have played 37 times, including four postseason matchups. The Eagles lead the series 21–15–1 going into Monday night — another opportunity for another great chapter to be told.
In the 1978 NFC Wildcard Round, an up-and-coming Eagles playoff team under Coach Dick Vermeil traveled to Atlanta. After a 13–0 Eagles lead, Atlanta would come back to win the game 14–13 thanks in part to a controversial call where Falcons wide receiver Wallace Francis and Eagles Safety Herm Edwards both went caught the ball at the same time. The ruling went in the Falcons’ favor.
When Andy Reid’s Eagles were fast becoming contenders in the early 2000s, the Eagles would again meet the Falcons in the post-season. The much-billed matchup between Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick featured McNabb’s first game back from a broken ankle in the 2003 NFC Divisional Playoffs at the Linc. The Eagles would win that game 20–6.
Two years later — Vick and the Falcons would return to Lincoln Financial Field for the 2005 NFC Championship Game. In a game when the Eagles offense wouldn’t be denied and a genius scheme from Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson — flipping defensive ends Javon Kearse and Derrick Burgess and not letting the elusive Michael Vick escape to his left in the 27–10 victory.
Then, in January of 2018 — in one of the most memorable games in Eagles history — Nick Foles and the Eagles would beat the Falcons 15–10. It was a game that featured an Eagles goal line stand against Julio Jones and Matt Ryan with only seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. It was the first post-season victory in the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning, magical season of 2017-2018.
In the wild — bald Eagles of the Accipitridae family dominate the skies against any other flying mammal in the region.
One Wisconsin lawmaker is urging the Green Bay Packers not to go to Brazil for their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles Friday night in São Paulo at Corinthians Arena. Republican state Rep. John Macco, who represents the 88th Assembly District in Brown County, Wisconsin, is concerned about safety in the city.”Their national holiday, their equivalent to Fourth of July, is this Saturday, the 7th, the day after our football game. They are predicting major upheaval. And when you look at some of the riots and some of the other issues that have gone on there, that is not a place that we should be in right now,” Macco said. Macco said it would be in the NFL’s best interest to move the game back to the United States. There is also concern about smoke in the city coming from Amazon wildfires. Brazil has one of the largest NFL fan bases in the world.The Packers boarded a flight to Brazil on Wednesday.
One Wisconsin lawmaker is urging the Green Bay Packers not to go to Brazil for their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles Friday night in São Paulo at Corinthians Arena.
Republican state Rep. John Macco, who represents the 88th Assembly District in Brown County, Wisconsin, is concerned about safety in the city.
“Their national holiday, their equivalent to Fourth of July, is this Saturday, the 7th, the day after our football game. They are predicting major upheaval. And when you look at some of the riots and some of the other issues that have gone on there, that is not a place that we should be in right now,” Macco said.
Macco said it would be in the NFL’s best interest to move the game back to the United States.
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There is also concern about smoke in the city coming from Amazon wildfires.
Brazil has one of the largest NFL fan bases in the world.
The Packers boarded a flight to Brazil on Wednesday.
As the team seeks to solidify their wide receiver corps, securing Dotson through a trade with the Washington Commanders answers lingering questions about their WR3 position.
With his impressive speed and versatility, Dotson brings a dynamic edge, ready to complement stars A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
This new chapter could help him unlock his full potential in a system that may suit his skills perfectly.
Dotson’s Role in the Eagles’ Offense
The Eagles’ decision to bring in Dotson has certainly generated interest, especially with the recent signing of star running back Saquon Barkley to a substantial three-year, $37.75 million deal. Dotson’s playful response on social media, jokingly asking, “Whose MUT team is this?”—referring to Madden Ultimate Team—speaks to the playful camaraderie that often develops within a competitive franchise. Now, as part of an offense that seems to be in ‘Franchise Mode,’ Dotson represents a strategic upgrade that the Eagles clearly need.During the offseason, the Eagles were grappling with the challenge of finding a reliable third wide receiver to support their already impressive duo. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have proven to be formidable forces on the field, leaving the WR3 spot up for grabs. Despite efforts to evaluate veterans such as Parris Campbell, John Ross, and Britain Covey, none were able to firmly establish themselves during training camp. Dotson, who comes in at just 24 with a promising background, now has the opportunity to take over this critical role.
PHOTO: Wallpapers.com
Dotson caught 84 passes for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns during his two years with the Commanders. However, his journey hasn’t been without hurdles. Playing with an array of quarterbacks, such as Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke, Dotson experienced the ups and downs of a constantly shifting offensive structure. Although he showcased flashes of brilliance, his statistics reveal a need for improvement in consistency. For instance, last season, his targets per route run and yards per route run ranked among the lowest among wide receivers, and he also struggled with a notable drop percentage.
As he transitions to the Eagles, Dotson’s ability to make the most of limited opportunities becomes paramount.
The offensive strategy led by head coach Kellen Moore seems to indicate a shift in approach, allowing receivers more movement and flexibility. This could be a boon for Dotson, who is primarily effective in the slot but has also demonstrated the ability to line up on the outside. This versatility means that when other top receivers like Smith and Brown move into different roles, Dotson can step up and fill the gaps as needed.Dotson’s speed cannot be overlooked; clocking in at 4.43 seconds for the 40-yard dash at the combine, he possesses the ability to stretch the field, which could create more opportunities for his teammates. Given the Eagles’ plans to utilize Barkley in the passing game as well, there’s a possibility that defenses will need to devote significant resources to managing multiple offensive threats. This opens up a chance for Dotson to become a reliable outlet when the primary stars are covered.The training bonds he has formed with A.J. Brown could also play a vital role in Dotson’s adaptation to his new team. The two have worked together in the offseason, pushing each other to new heights. Their shared goal of excellence, as seen in their competitive training sessions, could translate into on-field chemistry throughout the NFL season. Moreover, Dotson’s connection to the Nittany Lions with Saquon Barkley could help him acclimate more quickly to the team dynamics.While the Eagles did give up valuable draft picks to acquire Dotson, the team’s strategic planning regarding their 2025 capital provides some reassurance. Losing one third-round pick is a worthwhile trade-off for a player who has the potential to fulfill the WR3 role and contribute positively to the team. General manager Howie Roseman has shown his ability to work within the confines of draft strategy while also being aggressive in making moves that could benefit the team’s immediate success.Ultimately, the Eagles are banking on Dotson’s ability to rise to the occasion and seize the opportunities that come his way. The expectations for him may differ from his previous role in Washington. Still, if he can keep defenders honest while remaining ready to contribute when called on, he could become an essential piece of Philadelphia’s offense. All eyes will be on Dotson as he steps into what many hope will be a breakout season in green and white, bringing his talents to a team eager to contend for a championship.
Let’s go to our experts to answer these questions, with the help of analytics and our eyes on the beat.
After running 10,000 simulations of the 2024 season, Austin Mock’s NFL betting model has calculated an expected win total for every team, from the San Francisco 49ers (11.4 wins) to the Washington Commanders (5.9). (You can see the AFC teams here and the NFC here.) Now, our beat writers are here to answer: Is the model too high, too low or just right regarding the team you cover?
San Francisco 49ers
Win total: 11.4
This feels just right. The 49ers won 13 games in 2022 and 12 games in 2023. Factor in the exhaustion from repeated postseason runs (the 49ers have played 60 games over the past three seasons), and another decline in win total this season would make sense. But the Niners, assuming there’s a resolution to the contractual situations involving Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk, might’ve actually upgraded their roster this offseason. Seven members of their 2024 draft class made the 53-man roster, including a starter at what had been the offense’s weakest position, right guard. And quarterback Brock Purdy is expected to improve with experience. The 49ers’ defense, coming off a down year, has seen a talent overhaul, which could help them stay in the 11- to 12-win range. — David Lombardi
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Kansas City Chiefs
Win total: 11.3
Projecting the Chiefs to have the best record in the AFC is logical. But they could have more than 11 victories, especially if they sweep their two-game home series to start the season against the Ravens and the Bengals. The Chiefs are clearly favored to win their ninth consecutive AFC West crown. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have dominated the division, and the Chiefs have arguably the league’s best kicker in Harrison Butker, who usually gives them a critical advantage in tight games. The biggest concern is if their defense slides back in the rankings with L’Jarius Sneed, Willie Gay and Mike Edwards no longer on the roster. — Nate Taylor
Detroit Lions
Win total: 10.5
The case for the Lions exceeding 10.5 wins is that they won 12 games a year ago with a young roster and obvious holes. This offseason, they bolstered their secondary, added D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport along the defensive line and expect their young players to take a step forward. At the same time, though, the Lions face a first-place schedule, and the division is tougher on paper. There’s a world in which the team is more complete overall but wins fewer games. But I have the Lions at 12 wins again, so it’s a touch low, in my opinion. — Colton Pouncy
Baltimore Ravens
Win total: 10.2
If you could guarantee Lamar Jackson will play 15 games or more, I’d say 10.2 wins is a bit low, simply because of how good Baltimore has been in the regular season with a healthy Jackson. However, you can’t do that, so 10.2 looks just right to me. The Ravens have a solid and deep team, but they play a really tough schedule and they have legitimate questions in two key areas: offensive line and edge rush. Those factors need to be considered. — Jeff Zrebiec
Cincinnati Bengals
Win total: 10.2
The Bengals had a fully healthy Joe Burrow for just five-and-a-half games last year. Their defense looked nothing like its previous self without Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. They played one of the toughest schedules in the league. Very little went right. They still won nine games. A projection of 10.2 is solid, but I’d be more comfortable going over than under. They have questions, no doubt, but they added veteran safeties, the schedule appears dramatically easier, the offensive line is as solid as Burrow has played behind. As long as Burrow is healthy (all signs are good) with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins outside, 10 wins feels like the floor. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Mock writes, “Ultimately, this division comes down to how well Eagles QB Jalen Hurts plays.” I agree. And that’s why I still feel comfortable about my 12-5 prediction from the spring. Hurts was noticeably more polished in training camp. He was decisive, effective and dangerous on deep throws. The Eagles’ wealth of offensive talent could produce, at the very least, a top-five offense if Hurts can command this system properly. Owner Jeffrey Lurie has demonstrated patience with his head coaches so long as there’s confidence in a competitive path forward. But it’s worth wondering whether a 10-win season would be considered a regression under Nick Sirianni. — Brooks Kubena
Win total: 10.0
Despite Dallas’ three consecutive 12-win seasons, the model’s 10-win projection is right on line with what most would expect from the Cowboys. After winning the NFC East, the Cowboys have a tough first-place schedule, which includes games against the Ravens, 49ers, Lions, Eagles (twice), Texans and Bengals. If they remain mostly healthy in all of the key spots, anywhere between nine wins and 12 wins seems like a fair projection. — Saad Yousuf
Win total: 9.8
Mock has the Packers’ win total as the fifth-highest in the NFC. I think the Packers will win 10 or 11 games, so it’s just about right and, if anything, a tick low. Jordan Love and company won’t need the first half of the season to work out the kinks of unfamiliarity, and new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley seems to have his unit firing on all cylinders. The biggest question marks are offensive line depth, the kicker position and youth in the secondary. Shore up at least two of those three and the Packers will be a legitimate title contender. — Matt Schneidman
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Win total: 9.7
This seems just about right. A team led by Josh Allen in his prime should always be taken seriously. I’m sure, even with several questions about the Bills in 2024, Allen is why they have the AFC’s fourth-highest win total. But the questions are legitimate. The defense could take a real step back due to cap-cleaning offseason turnover and a long-term injury to linebacker Matt Milano. Plus, it’s a new offense without wideout Stefon Diggs or center Mitch Morse. The Bills could struggle with a tough early schedule, but don’t rule out a second-half surge once all the new pieces jell just in time for the playoffs. — Joe Buscaglia
Even with Aaron Rodgers’ healthy return to the Jets, Josh Allen’s team still has a slight edge on its division rival. (Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
Win total: 9.6
It’s hard to argue with this projection — and fascinating how tightly the AFC East teams are grouped. The Jets clearly have the most talented roster of the three from top to bottom, and if Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy, there’s no reason they should fall short of 10 wins. They had a top-five defense in each of the last two seasons, and the unit is still mostly intact (and could be even better if/when Haason Reddick finally reports). The offense should be vastly improved. Rodgers is obviously a major upgrade over Zach Wilson and last year’s rotation of backups, Breece Hall is fully healthy, Garrett Wilson is ready to break out and GM Joe Douglas did a good job rebuilding the offensive line this offseason. — Zack Rosenblatt
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Win total: 9.5
This matches the over/under from BetMGM, so the experts are aligned here. However, the Dolphins are coming off of an 11-win season, and with a light schedule to start the campaign, I lean toward the over here. I expect coach Mike McDaniel to field another offensive juggernaut while unleashing some new wrinkles that most defenses won’t be able to handle. I’m concerned about Miami’s defensive line without Christian Wilkins but also love the system new DC Anthony Weaver is implementing. I think Miami gets off to another hot start but will have to fight to get to 10 wins against what looks like a very tough closing slate (at Packers, vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets). — Jim Ayello
Win total: 9.4
If the Falcons don’t win at least 10 games, they’ll be disappointed, and they should be. They said they were ready to compete “at the highest level” when they fired Arthur Smith. They guaranteed Kirk Cousins $100 million. They traded for Matthew Judon and signed Justin Simmons. Eighty-one-year-old owner Arthur Blank is pushing all his chips in and making an expensive bet that this team is better than 9.4 wins. — Josh Kendall
Houston Texans
Win total: 9.0
The Texans were a surprise success story last season, going 10-7 and winning the AFC South. Mock projects them for nine wins this season, but I think they could again surpass that. C.J. Stroud has a season of experience under his belt. Bobby Slowik did well as a first-time play caller but will likely find ways to get even more out of Stroud this season, given the additional weapons (including Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon) acquired this offseason. Adding pass rusher Danielle Hunter in free agency should help both Will Anderson Jr. and the Texans’ defense as a whole. DeMeco Ryans’ squad has a good shot at another 10-win season and a return to the playoffs. — Mike Jones
Win total: 8.9
Nine wins feels about right for the Chargers. I had them at 10 in my prediction in May. Consider the extra game the Jim Harbaugh bump. The players are bought in. Harbaugh has led dramatic turnarounds in all of his head-coaching stops — San Diego University, Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan. I believe he will have the same impact in Los Angeles. And, of course, the Chargers still have one of the best quarterbacks in football in Justin Herbert, who looked great in practice last week after returning from his plantar fascia injury. — Daniel Popper
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Win total: 8.8
This feels a little low for a team that exceeded expectations in 2023 and added more resources to both sides of the ball. Injuries will be a major factor early, with the Rams returning multiple key players from absence: Jonah Jackson (shoulder), Puka Nacua (knee) and Darious Williams (hamstring). They should get starting right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) back either in Week 1 or by Week 3. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle, suspension) will be back in Week 3. No, there’s no Aaron Donald — but a depleted Rams team won 10 games last season. They will go as quarterback Matthew Stafford goes. — Jourdan Rodrigue
Cleveland Browns
Win total: 8.7
The Browns have a much higher ceiling than 8.7 wins, and internally, they’d say the roster is better than last year’s version that went 11-5 despite having to play five different quarterbacks. But just one quarterback matters in the present and future, and Deshaun Watson just had an unimpressive training camp while coming off of shoulder surgery. He hasn’t played a live snap in almost 10 months and has played 12 games in the last three years. The Browns have a lot of talent, but can they count on Watson? I’d say eight or nine wins feels right. — Zac Jackson
The Saints entered last year as a no-brainer favorite to win the NFC South with one of the league’s easiest schedules. They only won nine games and missed the playoffs. Their schedule doesn’t seem much tougher this season, but the NFC South improved around them and New Orleans didn’t grow enough along the roster this offseason. These are legitimate reasons as to why the Saints aren’t the favorites in a still seemingly weak division. So an 8.2-win projection feels fair. These projections also indicate the Saints would miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, which would likely mean a new coach and new quarterback for the 2025 campaign. — Larry Holder
Win total: 8.2
Seattle went 9-8 thanks to narrow Week 18 victories in each of Pete Carroll’s final two seasons. Mike Macdonald inherited much of the same roster, so even if his new coaching staff is better, this projection feels accurate. The NFC West is a tough division, and Seattle has legitimate questions at inside linebacker and offensive line. Plus there might naturally be some growing pains along the way with an entirely new coaching staff led by a first-year head coach and first-year offensive coordinator. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
The Bears trail the Lions (10.5) and Packers (9.8), but a nine- or 10-win season doesn’t feel like a reach, either. The Bears beat the division-winning Lions last year — and coach Matt Eberflus’ defense should be better this season. Quarterback Caleb Williams will have his rookie moments, but he’s surrounded by talent with receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett and running back D’Andre Swift. They’ll all help with Williams’ growing pains. — Adam Jahns
Win total: 8.1
I think this is a 10-win team. And if the Jaguars play closer to the version that went 15-5 from late 2022 to early 2023, they might have 12-win potential. Of course, a lot will have to go right for that to materialize. My biggest concern is the Jags start at the Dolphins, return home for the Browns, then visit the Bills and Texans. If they aren’t on point and fall to 0-4, there’s no telling what that could do to their confidence. But barring a catastrophe of that magnitude, they’ve got enough winnable games over the final three months of the season to exceed the projected 8.1 wins. — Jeff Howe
Pittsburgh Steelers
Win total: 7.6
Mike Tomlin has been the model of consistency, never finishing with a losing record in 17 seasons as coach. The biggest threat to that streak is one of the NFL’s most challenging schedules. The Steelers play in arguably the league’s most competitive division. The backstretch is brutal, with three games — at Baltimore, at Philadelphia and vs. Kansas City — in 10 days in December. Still, it would be hard to bet against Tomlin’s history, making the 7.6 win projection a little low. The remade offensive line and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith should help. If Tomlin can get to .500 or better with Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges at QB, he should be able to do it with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. — Mike DeFabo
Win total: 7.5
The Colts won nine games last year primarily with backup QB Gardner Minshew at the helm. Their schedule is tougher this season, but the belief internally is that a healthy Anthony Richardson can elevate the entire team. I agree that Richardon’s dual-threat abilities make him capable of leading Indianapolis to more wins than Mock’s projected 7.5, though the inexperienced secondary could be a big weakness. Assuming the back end doesn’t completely fall apart, I’ll pencil the Colts in for 10 wins and their first playoff berth since 2020. — James Boyd
The Colts have their sights set high with Anthony Richardson back and healthy. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
Win total: 7.5
Internal expectations and fan expectations are much greater than this. According to Mock’s model, the Bucs are 11th in the NFC and third in the NFC South behind the Saints and Falcons. The Bucs won nine last year, and the general perception is they improved in the offseason with the additions of Jordan Whitehead, Graham Barton and Jalen McMillan. Whether they improve or slide might depend largely on quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had a breakout year in 2023 and is adjusting to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who has replaced Dave Canales. — Dan Pompei
Win total: 7.3
The quarterback selection of Gardner Minshew over Aidan O’Connell didn’t move the needle much, so it’s no surprise that Mock has the Raiders at 7.3 wins, just clearing the Vegas over-under line of 6.5 wins. The defense should be very good, Davante Adams is still one of the best offensive players in the league, and first-round pick Brock Bowers should have a big impact at tight end. Problems could arise if there are any injuries, as the Raiders are not deep and new general manager Tom Telesco is taking the long view with salary-cap space. And if the Raiders get off to a slow start, Adams might call for a trade, so … 7.3 sounds good, but there is some shaky ground. — Vic Tafur
Win total: 7.1
Local optimism is high. And it should be. Kyler Murray is healthy. The talent around him is better. The Cardinals are trending in the right direction. But coming off a four-win first season under coach Jonathan Gannon, 7.1 wins in Year 2 sounds right. GM Monti Ossenfort inherited a significant rebuilding job, and the worst thing he could’ve done was try to do too much too soon. This is the next step. Maximize Murray. Improve defensively. Develop depth. Learn how to win. Reversals can happen quickly, but for the Cardinals, there are no shortcuts. — Doug Haller
Win total: 6.8
There are days when Mock’s projection feels low — and other days when it feels high. Is it underrating Brian Flores’ defense? Is it accurately assessing quarterback Sam Darnold? Maybe yes, maybe no. If you think it’s too high, it’s probably because of the schedule. The Vikings open with the Giants, then face a gauntlet: 49ers, Texans, Packers, Jets, Lions and Rams. Those six teams have incredible talent and high-end coaching. If you see 6.8 wins as too low, you are probably looking at Darnold’s situation alongside Justin Jefferson and head coach Kevin O’Connell and thinking an explosive offense is in store. Both viewpoints make sense. Anyone who thinks they know how it’ll play out is overconfident. — Alec Lewis
Win total: 6.8
This is on the low side of the Titans’ range, but six or seven wins is certainly possible, especially with the tough NFC North on the schedule. This is a very difficult team to project considering the changes and unknowns. A first-time head coach (Brian Callahan) with first-time coordinators (Nick Holz, Dennard Wilson) will rely heavily on draft picks plugged into key roles immediately (left tackle JC Latham, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat), and hope key veteran acquisitions (L’Jarius Sneed, Calvin Ridley, Chidobe Awuzie, Tony Pollard, Quandre Diggs) have best-case seasons. Oh, and the Titans hope they have a franchise quarterback in Will Levis. They just don’t know yet. — Joe Rexrode
Win total: 6.7
It’s wild to say about a team with a projection of only 6.7 wins, but this seems too high. The Patriots went 4-13 a year ago, parted with the greatest coach of all time and brought back a remarkably similar roster to last season. Drake Maye won’t be starting at quarterback, the wide receiver and offensive line groups both rank among the league’s worst, and the defense got worse in recent weeks after losing its top two pass rushers (Christian Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots and is out indefinitely, while Matthew Judon was traded to the Falcons). — Chad Graff
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New York Giants
Win total: 6.7
This is right on target. The Giants won six games last year and, yes, there was a Murphy’s Law element involved with so many injuries to top players. But it’s not as simple as expecting improvement if the team manages to stay healthier. First, quarterback Daniel Jones has a lengthy injury history, so health isn’t a given. Additionally, the Giants are without some top players from last season’s roster (Saquon Barkley, Xavier McKinney, Leonard Williams). They traded for Brian Burns and drafted Malik Nabers in the first round with the expectation they’ll be game-changers on both sides of the ball. But there are enough question marks with the roster to temper expectations. — Dan Duggan
Win total: 6.4
The model was not kind to the Panthers, who sit ahead of only Denver (6.0) and Washington (5.9). But it feels about right, considering I picked the Panthers to go 6-11 when schedules were released in May. It’s reasonable to think Bryce Young will take a step forward in a new offensive system and with improved blockers and playmakers. But with sizable holes at cornerback and edge rusher, the defense could take a step back. — Joseph Person
Denver Broncos
Win total: 6.0
This is too low. In 16 seasons as an NFL head coach, Sean Payton has never won fewer than seven games. The Broncos went 8-9 last season, then jettisoned a handful of veterans like Russell Wilson, Justin Simmons and Jerry Jeudy. But Wilson’s replacement at quarterback, Bo Nix, looks more ready to run Payton’s offense than I initially expected. A personnel overhaul in the front seven will make the Broncos better against the run. Many players are in Year 2 in their schemes, and it’s been easy to see the impact of that continuity in training camp. It’s fair to sell the Broncos as a playoff team, but seven wins feels like the floor to me. — Nick Kosmider
Washington Commanders
Win total: 5.9
The broad oddsmakers set the win total at 6.5, a number that many Jayden Daniels believers find shockingly low. Mock’s model went even lower with a league-worst 5.9 wins. What the projections cannot easily consider is the Commanders’ renewed competitive spirit under coach Dan Quinn. Daniels’ upside and more weekly consistency should push Washington above Mock’s number, but it might take injury and bounce-of-the-ball luck (and better-than-expected CB and OT play) to reach seven wins or sniff .500. — Ben Standig
(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; photos: Ryan Kang, Perry Knotts, Jaiden Tripi / Getty Images)
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