The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t looked flawless down the stretch, but national perception hasn’t shifted nearly as much as outside criticism might suggest.
Despite recent inconsistencies, The Athletic labeled the Eagles as one of the NFC’s most dangerous teams following Week 16 — a distinction rooted less in weekly aesthetics and more in Philadelphia’s ability to win, adjust, and survive.
When pitting the Eagles against the Bears, whom Philadelphia lost to on Black Friday, multiple writers gave Philadelphia the nod when the stakes are elevated in January.
Eagles’ Flaws Haven’t Changed Their Ceiling
Philadelphia’s recent stretch has featured uneven offensive rhythm, missed opportunities, and games that felt closer than necessary. Those struggles, however, haven’t altered the Eagles’ position in the standings or their postseason trajectory.
The Week 16 win over Washington clinched the NFC East for the second straight season, underscoring the disconnect between perception and results. Even while searching for consistency, the Eagles continue to take care of business — something several NFC contenders have failed to do.
Senior writer Dan Pompei compared the Eagles to the Bears, siding with Philly in terms of which team will be more dangerous in the playoffs.
“It should be the Eagles. They are the defending champions and have considerably more talent. But what they don’t have is momentum, and it’s highly unusual that a team does well in the postseason without a healthy running start.”
Despite their recent struggles, Philadelphia can build some momentum heading into January. They shut out the Raiders and claimed the division crown over the Commanders this past Sunday. Winning a matchup at the Bills, who are a Super Bowl contender in their own right, would give the Eagles all the momentum they need to feel good about their playoff prospects.
Why Philly Remains a Playoff Problem
Philadelphia doesn’t need perfect execution to win. It can lean on the run game, shorten contests, and trust its defense to deliver timely stops. When necessary, the Eagles can grind games down to a manageable pace and force opponents into uncomfortable situations.
That flexibility — paired with postseason experience — is what separates Philadelphia from flashier but less stable NFC teams. The Eagles may not overwhelm opponents, but they rarely beat themselves, a trait that often matters most in January.
In addition, they will be getting reinforcements back on both sides of the football that are necessary for winning football games, especially in the playoffs.
National NFL writer Mike Jones commented, “But Philadelphia still has the pieces on both sides of the ball and the experience necessary for another deep playoff run. The Eagles will be getting two very important pieces — right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive lineman Jalen Carter — back just in time for the playoffs, which should provide a needed boost on both sides of the ball.”
Trench play is huge in the NFL, and part of the reason the Eagles have not been as dominant of late is that their offensive line and defensive line have been missing some of their biggest headliners. Having Johnson back at right tackle and Carter back to anchor the defensive line will allow Philadelphia to establish itself on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
In addition, Saquon Barkley has turned in two 100-yard performances in his last three games, while Jalen Hurts has rebounded from his disastrous performance against the Chargers with two highly efficient performances against Las Vegas and Washington.
If the Eagles can continue to play sound football against the Bills and in their home rematch against Washington, their experience and talent will make them a tough out for anybody once the playoffs begin, despite the struggles that 2025 has brought the reigning Super Bowl champions.
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