NFL Power Rankings: Eagles’ “impossible” chances of winning the Super Bowl
The Philadelphia Eagles’ 10-1 record and inside track to the NFC’s top seed seems like a lifetime ago. After six weeks, the Eagles are 11-6 and barely making it into the postseason as the NFC’s fifth seed.
Philadelphia’s only opponent during the last six weeks of the season, the New York Giants, overcame them in Week 18 with a 27-10 victory to end any hopes they had of taking home the NFC East.
Bobby Okereke, a linebacker for the New York Giants, is pursuing Jalen Hurts.USA Today USA Today
The Eagles, who entered the playoffs at No. 7 in Sports Illustrated’s power rankings, had lost five of their previous six games.
“The late-season collapse of the Eagles has been disappointing,” according to SI. “Although I am not blaming Eagles supporters specifically, I am blaming our own expectations. You might wonder what my happy takeaway is.
What good thing about me? It is my hope that the Eagles’ struggles will teach us that it is nearly impossible to win the Super Bowl after losing both coordinators and the game the previous year.
Thus, give up asking!” Although it seems a bit unrealistic to hold expectations responsible for Philadelphia’s narrow escape from the Super Bowl the previous year, the loss of offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who both departed to take on head coaching roles this season, cannot be understated.
After that, Steichen was hired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, where he turned around a 4-13 team into a 9-8 one and got the team within one win of the AFC South in his first season.
For the most part of the season, Gannon kept the Arizona Cardinals, who are rebuilding, competitive. Related: Sirianni Shares His Playoffs Self-Affirmation: “We’ll Fight” The good news for Philadelphia is that they will play their first game of the new season on Monday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom they defeated 25-11 in Week 3.
The Eagles could find that this first-round matchup is exactly what they need to turn around and end their six-week slide if they can capitalize on their victory from that meeting.
