The best team doesn’t always win in the NFL, but the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles left absolutely nothing up for debate.
Leaning one of the deepest and most talent-rich rosters in recent memory, Philly overcame a number of injuries to key starters — including stretches without QB Jalen Hurts, WR A.J. Brown and EDGE Brandon Graham — to win 16 of their last 17 games and trounce Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
But when it comes to power ranking all 32 teams entering the 2025 season, it’s fair to look at the Eagles with a critical eye.
Philly’s offense is obviously stacked with star power. Saquon Barkley is the reigning NFL rushing champion. Hurts is the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Brown and DeVonta Smith form one the most dynamic 1-2 receiving punches in football, and the offensive line, top to bottom, is second to none.
If there’s regression this season, it will come on defense, which lost some big-time contributors and leaders like Graham, EDGE Josh Sweat, DT Milton Williams, CB Darius Slay Jr. and safety C.J. Gardner Johnson. Aligning with the franchise’s plan to slash player salary in future years this offseason, general manager Howie Roseman has left the team thin at key position groups like cornerback and EDGE rusher.
Philly could have its hands full against high-powered passing attacks, especially early in the season, with veteran Adoree Jackson expected to start outside at cornerback and a first-year starting safety — either Sydney Brown or rookie Andrew Mukuba — slated to play alongside Reed Blankenship.
So are the Eagles still second to none entering the 2025 season? Or are they poised to take a step back following a mini rebuild on defense?
CBS Sports analyst bullish on Philadelphia Eagles entering Week 1
NFL analyst Pete Prisco isn’t sweating an Eagles defense whose starting lineup will feature eight players aged 25 or younger; the lone outliers would be LB Zack Baun (28), Blankenship (26) and Jackson (29).
Prisco pegged the Eagles at No. 1 in his Week 1 power rankings, ahead of the trendy AFC contender Buffalo Bills.
“The roster is loaded. The offense has 10 of 11 starters back and the young defense is filled with players ready to make major leaps forward. But repeating is tough to do.”
We know the Eagles will be able to move the football and score points on offense. But can Vic Fangio’s crew rally around a number of young, first-year starters for the second consecutive season on defense? The Eagles will need guys like DT Moro Ojomo, CB Jakorian Bennett, safety Sydney Brown and rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell to catch on quickly to have a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl repeat, something only nine teams in NFL history have accomplished.
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To Prisco’s point, the Eagles belong on top of NFL power rankings to kick-off the season. They have a lot to prove on the field, however, to remain at No. 1 come January.