The Philadelphia Eagles are two wins clear of their closest competitors. They’ve won the Super Bowl rematch against Kansas City, on the road no less. So how can they possible lose the No. 1 spot in the power rankings? There are a handful of reasons.
The Eagles, quite simply, don’t look like the best team in football right now. They certainly look like they have the ability to be, but so do five or six other teams. Philadelphia has been the beneficiary of two things that do not seem sustainable. The Eagles have had a ridiculous amount of help by the referee crews assigned to their games, and they’ve also had an unbelievable amount of fortunate bounces go their way.
Whether it be Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s hideous drop at the end of Week 11, or Gabe Davis making the wrong choice on a wide-open option route in overtime this week, the game-deciding moments have bounced the Eagles way all season. Without those plays, or the referees heavy-handed nature against their opponents while swallowing the whistle during Eagles’ infractions, they’ve been extremely blessed and highly favored. But those aren’t reasons to keep them ranked No. 1.
In reality, they are on par with the bundle of 8-3 teams that sit below them in the standing and right now two of those teams feel better equipped to march their way to the Super Bowl. They aren’t in the top five in EPA, DVOA, nor PFF team grades. They have the wins, but not the substance of a dominant team.
Others do, though and fortunately, one of those teams is next up on their schedule for a scintillating Sunday matchup for Week 13.
The San Francisco 49ers are healthy again on offense and will travel to The Linc in a rematch of the NFC Championship game. And after a SNF victory where their defense once again shone brightly, the Baltimore Ravens also have a claim to be the game’s best. Who sits atop the throne this week?
Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) dives at New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears (3-7) WILL UPDATE AFTER MNF | Last Week: 30
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in Glendale, Ariz. Oct. 24, 2021. Cardinals Vs Texans
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Nov 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) sacks New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh on the sidelines in the first quarter game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; General view of a Atlanta Falcons helmet during warm ups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) | Last Week: 22
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys and Markquese Bell #14 sack Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium on October 16, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Oct 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
November 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce signals against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2018; Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Detailed view of New Orleans Saints helmets during joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers at the Jack. R. Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts lay their helmets on the field as they stretch during mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans (6-5) | Last Week: 14
Nov 12, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Tank Dell (3) in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs during a Denver Broncos mini camp at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 18, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills (6-6) | Last Week: 13
Nov 28, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) stands on the field during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 21: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 during a time out in the first half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys (8-3) | Last Week: 5
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) eat turkey legs after the Cowboys victory over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) | Last Week: 1
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens (8-3) | Last Week: 4
Feb 1, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson poses for a photo after receiving the AP Most Valuable Player presented by Pizza Hut during the NFL Honors awards presentation at Adrienne Arsht Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers (8-3) | Last Week: 3
Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws during the first quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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