Holiday season is here, a time to gather around with family and friends and bitch about the Eagles. We already do that throughout the year, but this year the team has given us a lot of material. But in a weird way, I’m thankful for having a team worth caring about. And this year, I’m thankful that while things aren’t great, it’s not like the Eagles are getting lapped out there. Look around the league. Just look no further than every team that won 12 or more games last year. Do you want any of these scenarios?
The Chiefs are 6-5, currently the 10 seed. Their nine year streak of winning the AFC West is, barring a Broncos collapse, over. They’ll likely make the playoffs, but that’s not the goal for the 2025 Chiefs. They will need to be road warriors to make a run at the Super Bowl, their only win this year on the road was against the Giants (and all three of their losses last year were away from home).
The Ravens are also 6-5, but could still win the AFC North as they’re tied with the Steelers and have yet to play them. But like the Chiefs, just making the playoffs wasn’t the minimum requirement for this season.
The Bills, who have won five straight AFC East titles, thought they had the division to themselves. Instead they’re going on the road in the playoffs. Josh Allen, and Sean McDermott, have yet to win a road playoff game, though their first road playoff game was their first (McDermott against Jacksonville in 2017, Allen against Houston in 2020), and the rest have all been at Kansas City. Probably don’t have to worry about that happening this year.
The Commanders are having a disaster season. Their only way back to contention next year is to triple down and reload with overpriced name veterans, which didn’t work this year. It almost certainly won’t work next year either, it’s just that’s their best option if they want to get back to relevance quickly.
The Lions are currently on the outside of the playoffs. That can change starting today, but this team entered the season as Super Bowl contenders and their margin for error for the final six weeks is thin. Dan Campbell taking over playcalling duties has yet to provide the spark he was hoping for, Detroit’s offense is even less efficient than it was with John Morton calling plays.
The Vikings are down bad. Real bad. So bad that they’d love to have Carson Wentz back. So bad that they’re excited about UDFA Max Brosmer starting. Wonder if Howie Roseman ever called offering Sam Howell back.
I am not here to tell you that things are rosy or that they’re about to turn the corner. They’re not. I’m as tired as watching the Eagles offense as you are. Every time the broadcast shows Jeffrey Lurie he looks pretty miserable, and yeah, us too Jeff.
There is no great team in the NFL this year, just pretty good but flawed ones. I’m thankful that the Eagles, for all their frustrations, are still in the top tier of teams this year.
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