It may be too early to predict the 2023 NFL champions, however with the 5-0 start of the Philadelphia Eagles led by versatile quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl might be theirs to claim.
Coming off a surprising 9-8 season last year, the Eagles set to work on building off of Head Coach Nick Sirianni’s strong first outing. After signing center back James Bradberry and defensive end Hasson Reddick, trading for wide receiver A.J. Brown and defensive back C.J. Gardener Johnson, and drafting Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean, the Eagles have become championship contenders.
Spending three years at the University of Alabama and transferring his senior year to the University of Oklahoma, Jalen Hurts has taken a step to the next level early this year. Starting his NFL career off as a backup to former MVP front runner, Carson Wentz, and stepping into the starting role after Wentz was benched two years ago, Jalen Hurts is averaging 53.2 rushing yards and 271.8 passing yards per game, with 10 total touchdowns this season so far. Jalen Hurts’s quality is not only evident in the stats, but he stands out when watching him live. His ability to rush as a dual-threat quarterback has created serious problems for other teams, leading the league best Eagles in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season.
With the addition of star wide receiver A.J. Brown, the Eagles have added to their arsenal of air threats for Hurts to target. All-Pro cornerback and captain, Darius Slay, referred to the wide receiving core as three “Batmans”, AJ Brown being, “Swole Batman”, Devonta Smith as, “Skinny Batman”, and Quez Watkins as “Fast Batman,” with “no Robins” on the team.
In fact, the Eagles’ only challenge so far this year has been their inexperience, as their roster was ranked the 6th youngest in the NFL. Sirianni had never held a job where he called plays before taking on the Eagles job last year, and, after a rough start to last season, ceded play-calling to offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. Experience is not as prominent of a factor of success at the beginning of the year, but as the season progresses and the playoffs begin, older and more experienced teams tend to prevail over younger and less-tested teams. The Eagles still maintain a veteran presence on the team with Slay, defensive linemen Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham, and center Jason Kelce.
So far, at least, no inexperience has haunted Philadelphia. In Week One, they put up 38 points against the hungry Detroit Lions, escaping a late Detroit push. The Eagles shared the ball very well in this game, with four different players scoring their four touchdowns.
A week later, they defeated the Minnesota Vikings in convincing fashion, dominating all aspects of the game, racking up 486 total yards and holding the Vikings to 264. Despite rainy and slippery conditions in Washington, Hurts still put up 3 touchdowns, 340 yards, and a win against the Commanders and former Eagle Carson Wentz.
The Eagles were able to handle the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week Four, winning 29-21. Most recently, the Eagles managed a 20-17 win in Arizona to keep alive the undefeated season. Through the first five weeks, it looks like the Eagles have what it takes to win a championship, with Jalen Hurts proving himself as one of, if not the best quarterback in the NFL.
The Eagles, however, will need to overcome their lack of experience and have a strong performance in the playoffs to become Super Bowl champions this year. There is still a lot of football left to play and anything could happen, but the Eagles are in a great position to make a deep run into the postseason.
They continued this dominant start on October 16 with a 26-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys.
