How good are the Eagles?
The score doesn’t even indicate the domination that occurred Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles were clearly better than the Pittsburgh Steelers. So just how good is this year’s Eagles team?
The offense was without All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook, Pro Bowl offensive guard Shawn Andrews, 1,000-yard receiver Kevin Curtis and a healthy five-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the entire second half. And they still whipped the big, bad, previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers.
Heading into Week 3, the national media had the Steelers ranked as one of the best teams in the NFL.
Steelers in the power rankings:
ESPN.com #2
FOXsports.com #5
Sportsline #3
AOL.com #4
Eaglesville #5
The Eagles, for the most part, were hanging in the latter half of most top 10s. Yet the Eagles (2-1) were significantly better on Sunday. Sure it was just one game (and at home), but the Eagles have now put together three pretty good performances. They have shown at some point in the three games an explosive offense, dominating defense and dangerous special teams. Now they just have to put it all together.
If or when they do, how good will they be? Are they Super Bowl worthy? Are they better capable of even winning their division with the Cowboys and Giants playing so well?
This Eagles team can be great. They can make the Super Bowl. Notice the italicized can.
In order for this to happen, the Eagles need everything to fall in place. They need pretty much everyone to be healthy. They need the pass rush to be as good as it was against the Steelers. They need Donovan McNabb to be in a rhythm. They need the offensive line to dominate. They need the offense, defense and special teams to click at the same time. It would have to be a perfect storm, one where Dallas or the Giants would be swept away by some flurry of key injuries.
What we’ve learned from the first three games is that it can happen. There are enough pieces floating around Philadelphia to have a Super Bowl team.
The Eagles need to be healthy, too, and that just doesn’t happen often in the NFL. Injuries are inevitable. Luckily, so far, none of the Eagles’ health struggles are long-term. Everyone on the injured list is expected to return soon. Westbrook will not be out long, if at all. Curtis will probably return next Sunday. McNabb will be fine. Reggie Brown is getting better (although if he was running full speed Sunday he might be the slowest receiver in the league). The Eagles just need to keep it that way. You don’t want to jinx it but the Eagles might be the only team in the NFL not to lose a single player for the entire season due to injury. Shhhhhhh.
Right now, the Eagles are a good, not great, team. Not as good as the Cowboys (they did after all lose to Dallas already) or the defending Super Bowl champion Giants. But what other NFC teams have exhibited more potential?
The Packers have an inexperienced starting quarterback and were just whipped at home in a nationally televised game by the Cowboys. Carolina and Tampa Bay are 2-1 but have looked little more than average against questionable competition. The West? Come on. The Cardinals and 49ers are in first place.
As predicted, the NFC powers are located right here in the East, with the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles leading the way. The Redskins aren’t too bad either.
So just how good are the Eagles? After three games, they appear to be the third best team in the conference. Oh yeah, their division, too.
Injury Update:
· Brian Westbrook’s ankle does not need to be amputated. He’s going to be OK. You can come down from the Ben Franklin Bridge now Eagles fans.
“It’s literally a day-to-day situation, and I’m sure it’ll be a race to get him ready for Sunday,” coach Andy Reid said Monday.
· Donovan McNabb’s underwent an MRI on Monday for his chest contusion. The injury isn’t expected to be a long-term problem.
· Wide receiver Kevin Curtis will begin practicing this week with the scout team. He should be able to return in two weeks against Washington.
· Right guard Shawn Andrews’ back hasn’t shown much improvement despite a week of rest. It doesn’t look like he will return this Sunday night in Chicago. This is also not the first time Andrews has struggled with back problems. He had them in high school.
· Tight end L.J. Smith also has a back problem. His status is currently unknown.
· Tony Hunt (concussion) will practice and play this week.
