Now that the 2019 NFL season is officially over, it’s time to start looking ahead to the 2020 season.
And it’s not easy to figure out where the Eagles belong in the pecking order.
The Eagles came into the 2019 season with high expectations, got off to a disappointing start, but finished strong to win the NFC East and get in the playoffs. So where do you put them looking ahead to 2020?
Well, here’s a roundup of where the Eagles land in very early 2020 power rankings:
What they said: Reason for optimism: Carson Wentz. The growth of Wentz made 2019 far from a lost season. Not only did the quarterback make it through the regular season healthy, he ascended into a clear leadership position down the stretch by carrying an injury-ravaged offense on his back to punch Philadelphia's playoff ticket. Wentz quieted the dissenting voices in the locker room and sent a reminder to the league that one of the top signal-callers in the game resides in Philadelphia.
Where they ranked: The Eagles are the eighth-highest ranked team in the NFC behind the 49ers (2), Saints (4), Packers (5), Seahawks (6), Vikings (9), Cowboys (12), Rams (13). The tough sell on this list is going to be being behind the Cowboys. The Eagles beat them late in the season and won the division. The Cowboys have a talented roster, but they also have a new head coach coming in.
NFL
What they said: The Eagles were able to somehow get into the playoffs again as NFC East champions despite an offense around Carson Wentz being held together by duct tape and a defense that underachieved. They can use the offseason to reshuffle where needed, most notably wide receiver.
Where they ranked: After the 49ers, Saints, and Packers, the Eagles are the fourth team in the NFC. The only AFC teams above them are the Chiefs and Ravens. The next NFC teams are the Vikings at 9th and the Cowboys at 10th.
Baltimore Sun: 7th
What they said: Philadelphia had one of the NFL’s oldest and most banged-up rosters in 2020 and still won the NFC East. Quarterback Carson Wentz’s injury history is a concern, but a sturdy offensive line should have him well protected. On both sides of the ball, the Eagles desperately need help out wide. Their receivers struggled to stay healthy, and their cornerbacks just struggled.
Where they ranked: One spot ahead of the Cowboys, who have the eighth spot. Just the 49ers, Packers, and Saints are ahead of them among NFC teams.
Bleacher Report: 12th
What they said: Given the injuries that tore through the team over the second half, the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles made the playoffs at all can be viewed as quite an achievement.
But this is an Eagles team that not too long ago hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Once you do that, participation awards for the playoffs lose their shine. …
Throw in decisions on in-house free agents like offensive tackle Jason Peters and linebacker Nigel Bradham, and there's little margin for error in Philly. A successful offseason could put the Eagles back into Super Bowl contention.
A bad one could slip them well behind the Cowboys and into mediocrity.
Where they ranked: This is another power ranking where the Eagles are behind the Cowboys, who come in at 11. They’re also behind these other NFC teams: 49ers (2), Seahawks (4), Saints (5), Packers (6) and Vikings (7).
Sports Illustrated: 12th
What they said: It’s really too bad a concussion knocked Carson Wentz out of his first career playoff game after just four passes, after he played all 16 games and carried the Eagles’ offense for most of the season.
Where they ranked: At least the Eagles finished two spots ahead of the Cowboys in this one. They were behind the usual suspects.
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