The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs a season ago. Philadelphia is looking to go back-to-back in 2025.
However, it could be a lot tougher for them this season. Everything went right for the Eagles in 2025. Running back Saquon Barkley was healthy and there weren’t many key injuries on the team. Philadelphia also did not have to go on the road in the NFC Championship Game because the #1 seeded Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round lost to the #6 seeded Washington Commanders. The Eagles were the two seed in the NFC last year.
NFL Analyst Lists Some Concerns With the Philadelphia Eagles Despite Being Number 1 in FOX Sports Power Rankings
Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports created his power rankings before the NFL season begins. He has Philadelphia as the number one ranked team in the NFL. However, Vacchiano has some concerns with the Eagles despite the fact he has them ranked as the top team entering the 2025 NFL season. He said,
“The defending champs deserve the No. 1 spot for now, but they only have a tenuous hold on it. Their league-best defense shed CB Darius Slay, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DE Josh Sweat, DT Milton Williams and LB Brandon Graham in the offseason. That’s a lot, even for a team with a seemingly unending pipeline of young talent. And while Saquon Barkley certainly is good enough to duplicate his remarkable 2024 season, it might be asking a lot of the 28-year-old after a career-high — by far — 482 touches, including the playoffs. Add in the potential for a Super Bowl hangover, and there are a lot of “ifs” to consider. But as long as Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts are healthy, they are as good, deep and talented as any team in the league.”
There has been some truth to the Super Bowl hangovers, but it feels as if it has occurred more with the losing teams rather than the winning teams. The San Francisco 49ers missed the playoffs in 2024 after they lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl (LVIII) the prior season. Will Kansas City have the hang over in 2025 instead of Philadelphia?
That remains to be seen. A lot of people will be picking the Eagles to win the NFC East division again. However, there has not been a repeat NFC East champion in over 20 years. Philadelphia will have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. If Barkley is not as healthy as last season, it could be a problem for the Eagles and show potential signs of regression. Being a wild card team here would not be a shock, but missing the playoffs entirely would be.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @glennkaplan13 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!
