NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Does One Loss Change Our View of the Eagles
The Eagles face scrutiny after a recent loss, but their overall strength remains intact as they head into Week 17 of the NFL season
Philadelphia, Eagles, NFL, Jalen Hurts, Washington Commanders
Philadelphia: Recency bias is a big deal in the NFL. You’d think the Eagles were struggling with a 0-1 record instead of sitting at 12-3.
They took a tough loss on Sunday, letting Jayden Daniels throw five touchdown passes. The last one came just six seconds before the game ended, giving the win to the Washington Commanders. Sure, it wasn’t a great outcome, but losing in the final moments against a solid 10-win team, especially with Jalen Hurts out due to a concussion, isn’t the end of the world. This was their first loss since late September.
Every team has lost at least once since October. The Bills, Lions, and Vikings have all faced defeat. So, it’s normal for teams to have some bumps along the way.
Even with that loss, the Eagles still boast one of the best defenses in the league. If Hurts had been in the game, they might have pulled off a win. Plus, if DeVonta Smith had caught that late third-down pass, which he usually does, things could have turned out differently. It’s tough to stay flawless throughout a long season, and all we really learned is that the Eagles aren’t perfect. But they’re still the most balanced team in the mix, with no major weaknesses. One loss shouldn’t change their top spot in the power rankings.
So, here’s how the power rankings look after Week 16 of the NFL season: