Can The Philadelphia Eagles Perform In Regular Season?

The Philadelphia Eagles are performing well in dress rehearsal. But when the curtain goes up in the regular season, can this team perform as well if not better?

After a 2-0 start in the pre-season, the hopes of Philadelphia Eagles fans are rising. With a mediocre running game, a pedestrian passing game, and a defense reminiscent of the squad fielded by legendary defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson, there is much to love about this team, just as there is much to fear.

But the fans of Philadelphia know no fear.  Anger? Frustration? Disappointment? Yes.  But fear? Never.

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In fact, in all my years of fandom of the Philadelphia Eagles, the city has relished the role of underdog.   Wins “feel better” when nobody expects the team capable of having a chance.  That is seemingly the role the Philadelphia Eagles will take on this year.

So far, the defense has run dress rehearsal preseason to perfection.   Just nine points in two games? That equals the number of turnovers the Eagles defense has generated so far.

Just wow.  But this is preseason.  The Eagles may look great as they tune up for the real stuff, only to come out flat footed and never regain momentum.

So far, the Eagles defense is delivering spot on.  In two preseason games, the defense has allowed an average of 40.5 rushing yards per game, 227.5 passing yards per game, and surrendered just 4.5 points per game. The average passer rating against this defense so far is just a pedestrian 46.9.

That’s pretty good, even for preseason.

The Eagles offense has averaged 92 yards rushing per game, 151 yards passing per game, and 17 points per game.  That’s not very efficient.  But this is an offense that needs simply to focus on improving each week.  Setting defined goals each week and achieving those small incremental improvements are what this team needs to succeed. So far, the offense in right on track.

But the defense is getting banged up far too early in the season to remain a sustainable force.  In the preseason victory over the Steelers, rookie middle linebacker Joe Walker sustained an ACL tear and will likely be out for the rest of the season.  So too cornerback Aaron Grymes injured his shoulder on the night he stole a touchdown from the Steelers by intercepting an endzone pass. Both players are making solid pushes to making the 53 man roster.

And so, its the slobberknocker style defense coming to the regular season. Will it be enough?  Will the offense show up?

So far, there is room for optimism.  While the Eagles offense has not shown much firepower, it is not charged with scoring 40 plus points per game.  As long as the offense continues to improve each week, the team will have improved over the course of 18 games from this point in time.

For the rushing game, the team will feature running backs Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles.  But second year runner Kenjon Barner has been showing up big so far in preseason work.  Similarly, the Eagles receiving corps will likely be led by Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz, but rookie Paul Turner has pulled in 9 receptions for 88 yards.

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This is a new coaching staff, and a team with an entirely new offense and new defensive scheme. It will not be surprising to see the team start out slowly this year. As long as the team can show progress, improve each week, this can be a very formidable team, as long as the coaching staff and fans are patient enough to enjoy the ride.

While it’s always a nice feeling to see the Eagles play very well, keep in mind that how the team ends the season is much better for the team than how the team begins the season. As long as the team improves each week, the ending will be find the team playing excellent football.

Patience may be a virtue, but it’s a good path to take for this team this season.