NFL Exec: ‘Eagles Always Seem Like They Could Implode at Any Moment’ in Playoffs

Zach BacharContributor IDecember 30, 2024

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There’s some concern surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles’ ability to go on a deep playoff run following an early exit during the team’s 2023 campaign.

When comparing the top three teams in each conference, an NFL executive expressed doubts about the Eagles’ postseason success.

“I feel way more sure about the top three teams in the AFC than in the NFC,” the executive said, per Mike Sando of The Athletic. “Detroit is so injured. The Eagles always seem like they could implode at any moment. And then I thought Green Bay would beat Minnesota, and still might if they met in the playoffs.”

Philadelphia made a Super Bowl appearance during the 2022 season, narrowly losing to the Kansas City Chiefs by the final score of 38-35. The Eagles previously clinched a playoff spot in each of their first three seasons under head coach Nick Sirianni, but two of the postseason appearances came to an end in the wild-card round.

Sirianni’s team sat at 10-1 through 11 games last season, although Philadelphia lost five of its final six regular-season contests before experiencing a swift playoff exit with a lopsided 32-9 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

NFL @NFLTD GODWIN! @Buccaneers putting this game on 🧊

📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC
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An encouraging sign for the Eagles in 2024 is that they haven’t experienced a rough stretch to close out the year, winning 11 of their past 12 games after a 2-2 start to the season.

The presence of running back Saquon Barkley should also provide some stability in a playoff setting. Barkley has rushed for a league-leading 2,005 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns in his first season with the team, picking up another 278 yards as a receiver.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportMVP CHANTS FOR SAQUON AFTER REACHING 2K YDS 🐐

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/pYF4FTpgpH

Quarterback Jalen Hurts’ health is something to monitor as the postseason draws closer, as he missed Philadelphia’s 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday due to a concussion.

If both players are able to suit up without any restrictions once the playoffs start, the Eagles have a strong chance to advance beyond the opening round.