Down their top two wide receivers and the entire right side of their offensive line, the Philadelphia Eagles willed their way to a 15-12, comeback win over the New Orleans Saints that could end up being the turning point of their 2024 season.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was shaky early but clutch late. Running back Saquon Barkley continues to look like the best free agent signing from the 2024 class. The Eagles defense, much maligned after turning in a pair of terrible statistical performances to start the season, answered the bell in a big way against the NFL’s hottest offense entering Week 3.
As the Eagles assess their rash of injuries entering a Week 4 road game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, here’s where NFL experts have them ranked among the league’s best.
NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Philadelphia Eagles
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 5 (up 2 spots)
“The Eagles dug deep defensively to contain an explosive Saints offense and made the big play at the end. They also got more inventive around Jalen Hurts with some mounting injuries to the offense. That was a huge, much-needed road win.”
Dakota Randall, PFF: No. 5 (down 1 spot)
“There are two ways to look at the Eagles: They’d be 3-0 if Saquon Barkley didn’t drop a pass late in the Week 2 loss to the Falcons, or they’ve largely unimpressed and have played poorly enough to be 0-3.”
Sayre Bedinger, NFL Spin Zone: No. 12 (down 2 spots)
“All things considered, the Philadelphia Eagles’ win on the road against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 was one of the most impressive wins of the week. Not that the Eagles were that significantly overmatched against New Orleans, but the way in which they won this game was just a really good sign for the team going forward, at least defensively. After the Saints put up 91 points in the first two weeks of the season, Vic Fangio’s defense limited them to 12 points on Sunday and they did a great job of keeping Derek Carr at bay. Fangio has gone up against Derek Carr a lot from his time in Denver, so it’s an opponent he’s very familiar with. And the Eagles ran the ball extremely well with Saquon Barkley looking totally reborn as a playmaker as a member of the Eagles. Even with Jalen Hurts having multiple turnovers (again) in this game, Barkley was able to take over with 147 rushing yards and another pair of touchdowns. He’s been an awesome, game-changing addition.
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports Bay Area: No. 2 (up 2 spots)
“Nick Sirianni is beyond frustrating as a coach. The 2023 second-half Eagles reared their ugly heads for most of the game before Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert powered them to victory.”
Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: No. 3 (down 1 spot)
“I don't feel great about this, but Philly is now 2-1 and has played some pretty ugly football through three weeks. If Jalen Hurts can figure things out, Philly has a solid path to an NFC East title -- and the No. 1 seed -- with other contenders struggling.”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: No. 3 (up 1 spot)
“The Eagles would have made our list of disappointing teams this season if they hadn't scored 15 points in the fourth quarter against the Saints.”
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: No. 6 (up 2 spots)
“This is Saquon Barkley’s team. On the road against a scorching-hot New Orleans Saints team, the Philadelphia Eagles rose to the occasion for the first time in a year. Barkley led the way with 156 scrimmage yards and 2 touchdowns, but Dallas Goedert (10-170) also stepped up with A.J. Brown still out. The Eagles defense also deserves its share of the credit for holding the Saints offense to 1-for-3 on red-zone trips. We still have some questions about Nick Sirianni, but the talent on the Eagles roster and some great game plans from Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio made the difference on Sunday.”
Consensus: No. 5
MORE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES NEWS:
Eagles Week 3 snap counts: Jahan Dotson whiffs, Bryce Huff demoted, Cooper DeJean DNP
Eagles injuries highlight glaring weakness in Howie Roseman’s 2024 roster
Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson sounds off after win over former team
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What is Nick Sirianni doing? Eagles HC makes head-scratching decision vs. Saints
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