Week 2 NFL power rankings roundup: Eagles land just outside the top 5
The Eagles are undefeated after the first week, defeating the Lions 38-35 in front of a sold-out Ford Field in Detroit.
Jalen Hurts totaled 332 yards, and A.J. Brown broke a franchise for receiving yards in his debut and really gives Philadelphia a star at the position.
With the team turning their attention to the Vikings, we’re looking at the week two power rankings, and the Birds are rising.
NFL.com: 10
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Philadelphia moves up a few spots from Week 1.
This offense is going to be a problem for teams. The Eagles rolled up 455 yards on 10 possessions against the Lions in a 38-35 win, taking it to the Hard Knocks darlings through the air and on the ground in an entertaining shootout at Ford Field. New No. 1 wide receiver A.J. Brown was an immediate-impact playmaker (10 catches for 155 yards on 13 targets) while the tandem of Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders rushing behind a stout offensive line has the potential to turn Philly into a matchup nightmare for any opponent — not just a young and inexperienced defense like Detroit’s. Talent > Grit.
Sports Illustrated -- 10
Nfl Philadelphia Eagles At Detroit Lions
Sports Illustrated moved the Birds up.
The Eagles integrated AJ Brown and schemed their ground game well. While the defense—middle of the road in down-by-down success rate—left a little to be desired, the Lions are tougher than we’re giving them credit for.
The Ringer -- 12
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
The Ringer has the Eagles rising up as well, just behind the winless Broncos.
The preseason hype surrounding the Eagles is still very real, and the final score isn’t indicative of how much the Eagles dominated this game against Detroit. ESPN’s win probability model gave the Eagles a 73 percent chance or better to win after they went up 21-7 in the second quarter. Allowing D’Andre Swift to go off for 144 yards rushing is a bit of a concern, but nearly everything else skewed positive for the Eagles in Week 1. Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders both recorded 90-plus yards rushing, and new wideout A.J. Brown caught 10 passes for 155 yards in a stunning debut for Philadelphia.
Yahoo -- 7
(AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
Yahoo jumped the Birds up into the top-10.
The run defense was gashed by the Lions, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry. That’s a concern but it seems fixable with the Eagles’ personnel. There was a lot to like about the Eagles’ opener and it’s not like Dak Prescott’s injury doesn’t give them a huge boost too.
USA Today -- 6
Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today has the Birds outside the top-five.
6. Eagles (9): Philadelphia averaged a league-high 159.7 rushing yards per game in 2021, but no player totaled more than 800. Sunday, the Eagles ground out 216 more, with four players galloping for TDs, including RB Miles Sanders’ first since 2020.
CBS Sports -- 4
(AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
CBS Sports has the Eagles up into the top-five and as Super Bowl contenders.
If Jalen Hurts can play like he did against the Lions, this could be a deep playoff team. The defense was not good, though, which has to be a concern.
The Athletic -- 6
Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia moved up in The Athletic’s Week 2 rankings.
But there are very real early concerns about a defense that was upgraded on paper in the offseason at every level, from first-round pick Jordan Davis (who played the fifth-most snaps of the Eagles’ defensive tackles) and high-priced pass rusher Haason Reddick to defensive backs James Bradberry (who had an interception return for a touchdown) and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. With Jefferson and the Vikings coming to Philadelphia for “Monday Night Football,” defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has his work cut out for him.
