PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are firmly positioned to claim the NFC East title. However, their chances of securing the top seed in the conference are not entirely within their control, a sentiment that coach Nick Sirianni emphasizes.
“We can’t control anything else that happens,” Sirianni noted. “Our focus is solely on what we can manage. It may not be headline-grabbing or thrilling, but that’s just how we operate.”
Currently boasting a record of 10-2, the Eagles have successfully achieved eight consecutive victories, firmly establishing their status as Super Bowl contenders. Their latest triumph, a solid 24-19 victory against Baltimore, further cements their ambitions, although the pursuit of a second conference championship in three seasons could become more challenging if they face the prospect of playing away from home.
As they approach the final stretch of the season with five games remaining, Sirianni, along with standout players Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, appears determined to keep the Eagles in contention for the coveted No. 1 seed and the advantage of home-field playoffs — but they are aware that they will require assistance from other teams.
The Eagles sit just one game behind Detroit (11-1). In the coming week, the Lions will host the Green Bay Packers (9-3), while the Eagles will play the struggling Carolina Panthers, who have only three wins this season. Minnesota (10-2) also remains a contender for the top seed in the NFC, while no other conference team currently boasts a better record than Washington (8-5).
The Eagles are accumulating achievements this season.
Sirianni, who faced calls for his dismissal earlier in the season, has become the fourth coach in Eagles history to lead the team to three consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins. Barkley’s performance has elevated him into MVP discussions; he recorded yet another touchdown run of over 25 yards last Sunday, marking his fourth of the season. Additionally, he tied the franchise record for the most 100-yard games in a single season with eight and leads the league with an impressive total of 1,499 rushing yards. With four games remaining, he has the potential to break LeSean McCoy’s franchise record of 1,607 yards with a strong performance this coming weekend.
Defense has been a significant asset for the Eagles, particularly the defensive line. In their recent match, running back Derrick Henry was limited to 82 yards with three catches for an additional 29 yards. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter played a pivotal role by tackling Zay Flowers for a loss on the Ravens’ opening drive, forcing them to settle for a field goal. He also sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson right before halftime, showcasing his effectiveness with a total of four and a half sacks this season, while playing a crucial part in the Eagles’ defensive dominance.
However, there are areas that require attention. Hurts’ statistics against Baltimore’s pass defense were modest — he completed 11 of 19 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, also scoring a rushing touchdown via a “tush push” play. Despite these numbers, Sirianni defended Hurts, advocating for his candidacy as an MVP, stating that his contributions transcend mere statistics.
“You can’t say enough about how Jalen managed the four-minute offense,” Sirianni remarked. “While some might dismiss it as just ‘game management,’ that’s misleading. Jalen delivered an exceptional performance, executing plays and making effective reads as needed.”
Some players are rising in stature, especially punter Braden Mann, who successfully downed five punts within the 20-yard line and even pinned the Ravens within the 10-yard line on two occasions. Conversely, special teams player Kelee Ringo faced setbacks, receiving penalties for two infractions, including illegal contact after a fair catch signal and running out of bounds during a punt.
In terms of injuries, the Eagles were without wide receiver DeVonta Smith due to a hamstring issue. Safety Reed Blankenship exited the game following a concussion protocol, while wide receiver Britain Covey had to leave with a neck injury, and tight end Dallas Goedert departed with a knee concern.
A noteworthy statistic for the Eagles is that they have limited opposing teams to fewer than 225 passing yards for eight consecutive games, a record that hasn’t been achieved since 1997.
Looking ahead, the Eagles will begin a crucial stretch of home games starting this Sunday, facing off against Carolina, as they prepare to play four of their final five games at Lincoln Financial Field.