While Philadelphia Eagles fans are in constant panic mode when it comes to their 8-4 team, ESPN writer Ben Solak gives a slightly more realistic expectation for the team.
"They have a championship formula with their current quarterback. To recover it, the Eagles need an infusion of creativity on the offensive coaching staff (and big improvement across the offensive line, which has regressed in health and performance this season), but this 2025 downswing does not condemn the offense or the team to death. We know it can emerge from this."
Encouraging words, but 2023 is creeping back in everyone's minds
Despite Eagles starting left tackle Jordan Mailata insisting the team is nothing like the Eagles of 2023, Solak went straight to a "forced contrived comparison" of the teams.
Solak notes that the current team's offensive woes don't resemble the 2023 team, which, by many metrics, had a top-10 unit; however, the inconsistencies between the two units have given fans plenty to worry about going forward. One common factor between both teams is the inadequacies of both teams' offensive coordinators, with the 2023 offense being led by Brian Johnson
The Eagles' 2023 defense was led by Sean Desai, who was later replaced by Matt Patricia, and the unit was in the back half of the league in many major statistical categories. In 2025, despite injuries, the Eagles' defense has remained an average unit, consistently finding new pieces to supplement it amid the chaos around them, under the guidance of Vic Fangio.
It's hard to panic right now with an 8-4 squad; however, given the level of success the Eagles have been accustomed to, along with the high expectations set by being the reigning Super Bowl champion. The team has consistently proven a quarterback, along with pieces who have played in some of the biggest games in the National Football League.
Because of the recent string of losses and how poorly the team has looked, it's not appropriate to put the team as the NFC's top defenders as the NFL heads into Week 14. The offense lacks any spark or creativity, looks anemic at times, fails to involve its key playmakers like Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith, and at times force-feeds A.J. Brown due to his recent tirade of cryptic antics.
With the recent string of poor performances, an injured reserve list that continues to grow, and no true identity or toughness, Solak believes Philadelphia may sneak out a playoff win; however, that may be all for the 2025 Eagles. At this point, the team simply is not on the same level as the Rams, Seahawks, or Packers, and may not be able to compete with the 49ers or Bears.
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While Eagles fans may have been in panic mode for the last several weeks, Solak believes the team should be in panic mode right now.