Head coach Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles put together their best performance of the season in a resounding 37-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The team looked like a Super Bowl contender in the second half. Even during their 10-1 start to 2023, they did not look as good as they did today. This performance resembled the 2022 team, which came agonizingly close to a Super Bowl title. The performances across the roster were excellent, and show a team on the rise.
Eagles Re-Establish Themselves as NFC Contenders in Week 8
Jalen Hurts Heating Up
Jalen Hurts had his best game in a while on Sunday. He had yet another turnover-free game, making it three in a row since the bye. In the first two games, Hurts played more like a game manager, but in this one, he was a dynamic playmaker. He made huge throws, particularly his beautiful touchdown pass to Devonta Smith. That throw to Smith traveled over 59 yards in the air, making it the furthest thrown completion of his career. Hurts also ran for three touchdowns on the day.
Beyond the statistics, the Eagles are establishing an offensive identity. Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore’s fingerprints are starting to show on offense.
The Eagles are running more plays under center than ever since the bye week.
Sunday, they ran 21 plays under center, by far a season high. The Eagles are combining Moore’s system with concepts Hurts is comfortable with. This has given the Eagles the best of both worlds since the bye. They are averaging 28 points per game since their early bye week. There have been plenty of question marks surrounding Nick Sirianni this season, but the fact that his team got tangibly better since they bye is a sign of good coaching. Sirianni, Hurts, and Moore have put in the work to improve the offense, and now the results are showing.
The Vibes Are Back for Nick Sirianni, Eagles
Ever since the middle of last season, there have been weird vibes surrounding the team. The collapse down the stretch was bizarre from a team that had been such a buzzsaw for the previous 18 months. Sirianni seemed to be in an untenable situation where he had lost the locker room. Between the contract holdouts, the sideline altercations, and the staff turnover, something was off. The dark clouds extended into this season, with their uninspired play at the start of the season. However, since the bye week, the team is starting to gel and form an identity. There is a wave of positivity on all levels of Eagles nation. Between Saquon Barkely’s exchange with Sirianni, to Hurts dropping inspirational quotes, the vibes seem to be back.
With a 5-2 record, it is hard to say that the Eagles are not NFC contenders. While there are plenty of big challenges ahead, this Eagles team looks ready to take part in them. Vic Fangio’s defense is starting to take shape as well. After a shaky start, they are starting to develop the bend-but-don’t-break mentality that characterizes a Fangio defense. They are limiting big plays and tackling well. The unit is also starting to create more turnovers. An identity is starting to be created on both sides of the ball. More importantly, a culture is starting to come back, which is what made the Eagles so great in 2022. Everyone is on the same page and pulling in the same direction.
Main Photo: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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