While many have considered the Detroit Lions the best team in the NFC and possibly the entire NFL for a while, the Philadelphia Eagles are starting to challenge their status as the team to beat.
The Eagles crashed last season after a 10-1 start and lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and much attention was focused on head coach Nick Sirianni, who was thought to be on the hot seat.
But Sirianni and his men have bounced back to the tune of a 10-2 record, and they’re on an eight-game winning streak after downing the Baltimore Ravens, 24-19, on Sunday.
Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan credited Sirianni for handling the criticism he received and looking to improve, per ESPN Radio.
“He’s staying true to himself,” Ryan said.
“He’s staying true to himself.”
Rex Ryan gives Nick Sirianni a TON of credit for how he’s handled this @Eagles season #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Op3Z9RybJu
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) December 2, 2024
The Eagles had major problems on defense last season, but that defense has improved big-time — they rank fourth in points allowed and first in total yards given up.
Rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have infused the secondary with some energy, but Sirianni and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deserve plenty of credit for Philly’s defensive turnaround.
Of course, the big story for them this season has been the play of star running back Saquon Barkley, whom they poached from the New York Giants this past offseason.
Barkley leads everyone with 1,499 rushing yards and 6.1 yards per rushing yards, and he has scored a total of 13 touchdowns, 11 of them coming on the ground.
That production has given him a real shot at being named this season’s NFL MVP.
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