Friday, September 8, 2023

Philadelphia Eagles Week 1 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Philadelphia Eagles in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 2

On the hot seat: ST coach Michael Clay

Special teams was the weakest of Philadelphia's three units last season. There were a number of notable miscues, none bigger than an errant punt during Super Bowl LVII against the Chiefs that led to a pivotal 65-yard Kadarius Toney return in the fourth quarter. Clay reportedly received a contract extension this offseason, but his group needs to perform to ensure his job security moving forward. -- Tim McManus

NFL.com -- Rank: 2

The Eagles arguably have the deepest roster in the NFL, with few obvious concerns across the board. How loaded are they? Derek Barnett is perhaps their fifth-best pass rusher now. But if there's a position higher on the importance ladder that looks a bit thin right now, it's wide receiver. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are All-Pro caliber. But they currently have only Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus behind them on the roster. Thus, losing either Brown or Smith for an extended period would fundamentally change the makeup of this unit. Right now, it's not a worry. It's the kind of thing normally not taken into massive consideration until it's a problem. The Eagles have to hope it never becomes one.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 2

They are now the hunted, which will make getting back to the Super Bowl tough to do. They are still are loaded with talent, but the Super Bowl hangover is usually real.

USA Today -- Rank: 2

Can QB Jalen Hurts win the MVP he almost snagged in 2022? Can Philadelphia get off to another hot start despite two new coordinators? Could the Iggles be the first back-to-back NFC East champs in 19 years? Do they have the roster to take one step further than last season? Yes ... on all counts.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

Best-case scenario: For the third consecutive season, Jalen Hurts is better than he was the year before, and his fortune of getting to throw to arguably the best trio of pass catchers means the Eagles have the best offense in the NFL. The expected weakness of the NFC proves correct, and the team has an easy return path to the Super Bowl.

Worst-case scenario: Regression hits hard for a team that was exceedingly healthy and turnover-lucky in 2022, and a more difficult schedule drops Philadelphia to second place in the NFC East. The defense takes a big step back after so much offseason turnover, and Jalen Carter is more of a typical rookie defensive tackle than an immediate Javon Hargrave replacement. Playing on Christmas Day means hackneyed references to snowballs and Santa.

FOX -- Rank: 2

Philly has done a phenomenal job of replacing their losses from the roster that reached Super Bowl LVII. Now, it's time for those guys to step up. Can new coordinators Brian Johnson and Sean Desai keep things humming with Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon off to head coaching jobs? Can the Bird Dawgs — Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith — step up and star for a defense that lost five starters? I fully trust that the Eagles' stars will shine, but the performance of the reinforcements is a crucial story to watch.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 2

We're all waiting to see what the Eagles' running back plan is, mostly for fantasy football purposes. D'Andre Swift appears to be the early leader over Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell. Swift couldn't earn the trust of the Lions' coaches, and he couldn't stay healthy either, but running behind Philadelphia's line could lead to a major breakout.

PFT -- Rank: 3

They have an incredible roster. The challenge will be forgetting about last season's near-miss and repeating the climb with a target on their back.

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