Staff
The 2020 Philadelphia Eagles have certainly faced their fair share of adversity so far this season, with injury after injury piling up for what seems like the 10th season in a row.
Who would’ve thought? Carson Wentz remaining mostly healthy the last two seasons, but his surrounding cast dropping like flies? Wentz is doing literally everything he can to try and win with very little help surrounding him. There’s plenty of blame to throw around for the Eagles’ terrible start. It’s offense, defense, and special teams that all need to improve for the Eagles to get back on a winning track.
However, despite all the negative play so far on the field this season, the Eagles’ chances of making the playoffs are still pretty good. Of course, playing in the NFC East will do that to a team. The Dallas Cowboys – the preseason favorite – have lost their franchise quarterback and now players are anonymously leaking how “unprepared” and unable to “adjust on the fly” the team’s new coaching staff is. The New York Giants roll into town for the first time this week, and new head coach Joe Judge is already getting his shots in. Sure, the Eagles had a 17-0 lead against the Washington Football Team and looked well on their way to winning in a laugher, but quickly were reminded that it’s a 60-minute game.
Eagles NFL playoff odds are +140, while the Cowboys are at -110. But with Andy Dalton and the helm and the defense historically bad, the Eagles might have a legitimate shot to become favorites as early as the next few weeks.
The Eagles’ starting offensive line is in shambles. However, some bright spots, such as Jordan Mailata, have emerged to at least give Wentz a fighting chance at making plays happen. That has to continue if the Eagles want a chance to really make the postseason. A healthy Wentz should have a better chance to succeed behind that line when compared to rookie Jalen Hurts and Nate Sudfeld. With Miles Sanders missing the next few games, and the Eagles unlikely to make a move, it’s more on Wentz than ever. There’s no counting on Corey Clement or Boston Scott to fill what Sanders can do on the field.
Wentz also has relied on Travis Fulgham early in the season, despite netting the team only one win. Howie Roseman brought back Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, and those two receivers seeing the field at the same time seems to just get further and further away. Even rookie Jalen Reagor is on injured reserve. It’s unreal how many injuries this team has gone through the last three seasons. And yet, they’ve made the postseason all three times.
That’s where experience comes into play. Can the fact the Eagles, Doug Pederson, and Carson Wentz have already faced so much adversity since their Super Bowl win work in their favor? It’s the NFC East – there’s no telling how this season’s going to play out just yet, especially with the Giants and Washington Football Team still having a chance to make the playoffs!