Eagles Alone In First Place
Through three weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles are not only undefeated, but in sole possession of the NFC East.
The Eagles have proven that they can contend with good teams just as well as they can blowout bad ones.
The rest of the NFC East hasn’t been nearly as impressive as the Eagles. The Giants and Redskins are full of mistakes and turnovers, and both teams have apparent flaws throughout the roster. The Cowboys have had success with Dak Prescott, but their defense remains suspect.
The Eagles look like the most complete team through three weeks.
Is it unreasonable to think that the Birds, at minimum, can go 7-6 the rest of the way to get to 10-6?
At this point, its still hard to tell exactly what the Eagles’ ceiling is, but I think a 10-win season is very much a possibility at this point.
The team already has three victories, and they haven’t begun division play of yet. If they take care of business against their rivals, I think there’s a strong chance that we see this club back in the playoffs.
Just ask yourself the following questions.
Through three weeks, who is the league’s MVP and who is the league’s head coach of the year.
The answers are Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson.
Quick Thoughts From Around The League
- What’s wrong with the Arizona Cardinals? They’ve suffered two letdowns in the first two weeks, with the latest coming against Buffalo Bills, where LeSean McCoy turned back the clock to put up over 100 yards and two touchdowns to lead the charge. Arizona currently sits at 1-2, with Carson Palmer struggling at the quarterback position.
- Sam Bradford has had very little to do with the Vikings’ 3-0 start. Sure, he played a nice game against the Packers, but against Carolina, he put up a paltry 170 passing yards; that game was won by the Minnesota defense which absolutely smothered Cam Newton, and held elite receiver Kelvin Benjamin completely off of the stat sheet.
- Chip Kelly suffered yet another humiliating loss, falling 37-18 to the Seattle Seahawks. This is the result I expect to see out of the 49ers week to week. It’s only a matter of time before Kelly begins to get desperate, and inserts Colin Kaepernick back into the offense.
- The Cleveland Browns have suffered one of the most painful starts to an NFL season that I’ve ever seen. They aren’t just 0-3, they’re 0-3 after losing their first and second string quarterbacks, 0-3 after seeing a kicker miss three field goals within 45 yards. At least they got through a game without losing another starting quarterback.
- Imagine being one of the guys in the Cleveland or Los Angeles that convinced Browns and Rams management that Carson Wentz wasn’t worth one of the top two picks?
- Speaking of quarterbacks that weren’t worth the second overall pick, anyone still want Marcus Mariota? No? Didn’t think so.
- How bad was Ryan Fitzpatrick against the Chiefs defense? Six interceptions. Six. Yikes. Maybe that’s why the Jets didn’t have much of a sense of urgency to lock him up long-term.
- The Jaguars have to be the most disappointing team, easily. I really thought that program was ready to turn the corner, but the last two losses have been unacceptable and very discouraging. Gus Bradley needs to turn things around fast, or he could be out of a job before year’s end.
Take a good look at the above picture. Its one of the things I like best.
Harken back to the Gruden QB camp video with Wentz before the draft. About 1/2 way through Gruden started pointing out several instances where Wentz was holding the ball in the pocket with one hand. Showed a strip sack.
Wentz began turning red, ashamed. Gruden started screaming “One hand will not cut it in the NFL!!” and about how Wentz had to become a “two-handed monster!!”(cheesy and for tv).
He then had Wentz repeat it over and over. They also did some drills where Wentz had to stand and get continually hit with pool noodles to emphasize the point.
Its a couple games later and I have been watching how he holds the ball in the pocket very closely. In the pocket that ball is up high with 2 hands on it every single time. (Though here its a little low, but it looks like he’s about to run)
Now I am sure that Gruden wasn’t the only coach to point this out….but who knows. What I do know is he was presented with film showing a problem, and between then and now, the problem has disappeared.
A guy who learns from his mistakes and constantly improves.
How refreshing is that?? Love that pic.
Fully agree Vin.
Carson Wentz has just been named NFC offensive player of the week.
In three weeks he’s garnered Pepsi NFL Rookie of the week and NFC player of the week.
He’s also been nominated again for Pepsi NFL rookie of the week for his performance against the Steelers.
Kid is already recognized league wide.
Sal Palantonio reported on the Mike Missanelli show yesterday that Steelers players were heard saying in the locker room after the game “Who is this kid”? “Man, where did this kid come from”?
I’m sure Tomlin and Steelers upper management are thanking jesus for the browns… you know damn well they don’t want him twice a year
For Once we are the lucky ones…Not watching other teams have that Magic guy. We have hope, anyone that can;t see that is delusional.
And its not just us. Its clear from every interview, every clip that the team itself knows there’s something going on here. And its infectious. I absolutely believe these things are linked.
I absolutely believe in the psychological aspect/change that this move have affected.
The differences in phisical abilities among NFL players is pretty minimal. Every team has guys that run 4.4. Every team has 6’5″ 330 lb lineman who can bench press your house. But do they have the mojo?
This team now has hope. There is excitement, energy. And its something this franchise hasn’t has since the run from 1999-2006.
This can (and I emphasize can) completely change a franchise. And its effects can be long lasting.
Fingers crossed.
It is why you ‘mortgage the future’ (in the idiots words)
whereas in reality its an investment in the future– a two fold investment–1. the franchise brand is through the rough, and going further– turning a billion dollar team into a 2 billion dollar team over the next 10 years and 2. corresponding with #1 the winning, the television exposure for prime time and playoff/SB (hopefully)
Like I don’t want to take anything away from 5, Randall, or Jaws…..They fit their teams. This guy though is another level altogether. It is amazing to see this in a midnight green uniform.
Wentz appears able to come back from injuries and stay confident, lets just hope he can avoid them. Which only time will tell.
After 3 games around the NFL:
The Atlanta Falcon’s running back Devonta Freeman and Minnesota’s Stephon Diggs are non first or second round draft picks steals.
Tony Romo is not needed – Dak Prescott is a NFL QB.
Odell Beckhum Jr is more annoying than DJax an Dez Bryant combined. So Happy the Eagles Jordon Matthews is a not a diva.
Do you think Wendell Smallwood can be the man for the next 3-5 years?
Its a very interesting question and a situation to really watch as the season progresses. I think the Eagles will be following the current NFL trend to “comittees” but enen there there is always a “lead” back.
If Smallwood develops and can turn into that guy for the next (and I’ll go further than Cigar here) for 6 or 7 years….well that’s a freekin’ home run and frees up another early draft pick next year.
Look at the use of Sproles this year, and he is a SPECIAL talent– he is 33, birds gave him a nice bump in his final contract and they are using the hell out of him– carried the ball 12 times vs Chicago–but it is obvious they are going to drive the treads off the tires–
Use the hell out of a young back– if you find him to be special then you handle a bit differently- if he is a good back you ride as long as you can.
Yes he can. RB is a disposable position…. Get a guy in round 5 pay rookie scale for 3-4 years and get another
I am A Wendell Guy. I had him in my one Keeper League and Picked him up in my other leagues today. I also Have Wentz and Ertz in most leagues. I’m pretty much gonna live or Die with the Birds this year.
I think we have to give some credit to Peterson and coaches. They have had good/different game plans for each team the Birds have played. And the’ve really done a good job of coaching Wentz. There are a lot of times where teams draft talented QBs but can’t develop them properly. Not taking anything away from Wentz though..he does appear to be special..even at this young age. And intangibles galore.