Just one year removed from a 7-9 showing and another off-season full of turbulence, the Philadelphia Eagles have stepped emphatically into the discussion as one of the legitimate threats in the National Football League. In three weeks, they have gone undefeated; outscoring their opponents by a total of 65 points, including a 34-3 rout of the previously 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers. Is it possible that with a new head coach at the helm and this year’s second-overall draft pick under center, the Eagles have finally found their footing after floundering in mediocrity for so long?
The answer is maybe, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Football being what it is, it’s far too early to tell much of anything. The Eagles could, at long last, go all the way or they could find themselves in the shoes of the 2015 Atlanta Falcons, who started last season 6-1 before inevitably tripping over themselves and losing seven of their final nine games to finish at just .500.
For most doubters, the Eagles will have to do more than resoundingly thrash the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears to win any faith. But, should the Eagles show their strength against teams like the Vikings, Seahawks, Packers or Bengals later on in the season, even the most committed of nonbelievers will have to admit that this team must be considered a contender.
With an early bye, Carson Wentz and company will have to wait a couple of weeks before they get another chance to add to their win-tally, but fans and critics alike will be waiting with bated breath for Philadelphia’s next opportunity to shine.
