The Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) have built one of the most improbable winning cultures in modern sports history. They endure puzzling stretches of ineptitude (2023-24 late-season implosion), attract bad optics galore (constant AJ Brown speculation) and are oftentimes forced to grind out ugly victories (just look at the last six days). And yet, following a 16-9 home win versus the Detroit Lions, they currently occupy the No. 1 seed in the NFC and are in firm contention for a second straight championship.
While other powerhouses and reigning champs consistently receive the benefit of the doubt, the Eagles are kept under the microscope. They have earned some of that skepticism through their own antics, to be clear, but this squad did not just stumble its way up the NFL mountain. Philly has printed a blueprint that can withstand a couple of typos and splotches of ink. The reason?
While a vast talent supply definitely helps, the Eagles' ability to effectively process and reflect on their experiences, both the good and bad, has helped them maintain a constant presence in America's most popular sport. The ensuing hour after their latest triumph perfectly illustrates their dedication.
Super Bowl 59 MVP Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni engaged in a lengthy conversation in the corner of the locker room following the team's prime-time victory over Detroit, per Zach Berman of The Athletic. Apparently, these exchanges have become a regular part of their postgame routine.
Eagles just get the job done
The quarterback-HC duo clearly understands the vital importance of communication. Although the Eagles are prevailing, mainly on the strength of a stifling defense that totaled five fourth-down stops against the Lions, they are not content. Hurts, who completed only 50 percent of his passes for 135 yards on Sunday night, knows that the offense will need to produce at a higher level if this squad is going to retain its title.
Figuring out a solution to the unit's persisting inconsistencies is presumably just one of the topics he and Sirianni discuss. Philly may never attain an acceptable outward appearance or earn media darling status, but it is implementing a formula for success all the same. While everyone wonders if this is sustainable, this franchise continues to collect Ws.
“It’s something that you feel, it’s something you sense as a team that you’re being tested on these things,” Hurts said, per Berman. “So, we went out there and found a way to win a lot of those games like that.”
Fans will draw attention to the controversial pass interference call late in the fourth quarter, and rightly so, but one thing is indisputable: there is a method to the Eagles' madness. Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts will surely remain contemplative heading into next Sunday's divisional showdown with the Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1).
