Eagles fans waited nine long months, most of which was spent in their homes, waiting for football to return.
And just like that, after an 0-2-1 start, it feels like it is gone already.
Not so fast.
Yes, things are looking ugly heading into Sunday's tough matchup with the San Francisco 49ers — and they could look a lot uglier both during and after.
But as we wait for another kickoff from the Eagles, here are nine reasons to hold onto some hope that things could turn around:
** They have to start scoring more points…right?
It is pretty simple — the Eagles are not winning because they aren't scoring points. The Eagles have only topped 20 points once this season, a simply unacceptable outcome in a league that is not only designed for the offense to succeed, but in a year where offenses are averaging more points than ever before.
It would be very surprising if the Eagles were one of the top offenses in the league this season. They would be lucky to get into the top 10. But so far, through three games, the Eagles are 27th in points. 27th. The Eagles have personnel issues on offense, but the chances of them finishing so low feels very slim. Last year they finished 12th in points, and did so with (mostly) the same personnel.
It is a safe bet that sooner rather than later they will start scoring more than they are right now.
** Pass rush has been effective
For all of the questions about the depth at defensive end and the injuries at defensive tackle, Pro Football Focus has the Eagles with 2nd-best pass rush in the league so far this season. Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and Malik Jackson have all been good, with Josh Sweat taking another step forward from an impressive showing last year. Even Derek Barnett has gotten in on the action, coming away with his first sack last week against Cincinnati.
We will see this Sunday if the Eagles can be effective against a good offensive line, but we know one thing — they can dominate the bad ones, and there are plenty of bad offensive lines in the NFL.
** Offensive line isn't the problem we all thought
Heading into the season the main reason for worry with this team was the offensive line. Brandon Brooks was lost for the season. Andre Dillard was struggling, then was hurt. Jason Peters refused to play tackle, then suddenly was switched over days before the season opener.
For all of the worry, however, the offensive line has not been a problem.
Through three games the Eagles' are 7th in pass blocking per Pro Football Focus. They have been a top-10 unit despite facing two very good defensive lines in Washington and Los Angeles. They have not been perfect, and Jason Peters certainly has some snaps he wishes he had back, but overall they have given Wentz the time he needs in the pocket.
There will be twists-and-turns with this offensive line, especially considering their age, but the bottom line is this — as long as Jeff Stoutland is the offensive line coach, it seems the Eagles will never have to worry.
** Run defense has been good
Despite some personnel changes along the defensive line, the Eagles have remained one of the best teams in the NFL at stopping the run, as they are allowing the 5th fewest yards per rushing attempt (3.4) so far this season.
Stopping the run is key in the NFL, and once again it seems the Eagles can count on their front seven to hold their own against the run.
** Turnovers will turn around
All offseason Howie Roseman discussed the importance of forcing more turnovers on the defensive side of the ball.
Welp.
So far the Eagles are tied for the most turnovers in the NFL with eight, fumbling the ball away twice and Carson Wentz throwing six interceptions. On the other side of the ball they have forced a grand total of one turnover — despite playing one bad quarterback and one rookie quarterback.
Like with scoring, the Eagles won't be one of the top teams in the NFL in turnover differential. But it is safe to say they will start forcing more than one turnover ever three games, and Wentz will stop throwing two interceptions a game.
If the turnovers come down from an extreme on both sides, the Eagles will start to look like a much better team pretty quickly.
** Secondary has been (mostly) good
Believe it or not, the Eagles have allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards (632) in the NFL through three weeks, and the 10th fewest yards-per-passing play (just 5.9).
Part of the reason is they have faced Dwayne Haskins, Jared Goff and Joe Burrow.
Another part of the reason for the improved secondary play is…
** Darius Slay has been legit
Cornerback Darius Slay has been almost everything the Eagles could have hoped for so far through three games. He locked down Terry McLaurin in Week 1, allowed just two catches against Los Angeles, and made a big play late in the game against Cincinnati to help the team avoid a loss.
The Eagles have some elite-level receivers coming up on their schedule, and just like they hoped for, they should be able to count on Slay in those matchups.
** The NFC East is still the NFC East
It is the top reason you hear amongst fans to remain hopeful, and there is a reason for that — it is true.
The Eagles play in the worst division in football. Yes, they are part of the reason the division is so bad, but the reality is the path to the playoffs is not as challenging as it is for other teams. It is very possible eight wins gets the Eagles the division crown, and if the Dallas Cowboys actually aren't very good, seven wins might do it a well.
Getting to the playoffs with seven wins won't be impressive, but it will accomplish one very important goal — getting Wentz some playoff experience. If this season ends with Wentz in the playoffs, even if it was a bumpy road to get there, the season will be a success.
** Carson Wentz can't continue to be this bad
I think it is save to say I have been as critical of Wentz's play as anyone over the last year, and justifiably so — he has been a below-average quarterback for the majority of the last season-plus. He has played terrible so far this season, and with even an average quarterback under center, the Eagles might be undefeated.
But while I am skeptical Wentz will ever be a top-10 quarterback, I know one thing for sure — he isn't the worst quarterback in the NFL.
Wentz will turn things around eventually this season. It might not be Sunday night, but it will happen. He won't finish the season statistically as the worst quarterback in the entire league. For all of the concern about the personnel and the play calling, the bottom line is that once Wentz improves, the entire team will.
Whether it will be good enough to get the team into the playoffs remains to be seen, but we all saw last year that once Wentz started playing at a high level, the Eagles steamrolled through the division.
The possibility of Wentz improving and this team going on a run to the division title should not yet be ruled out -- assuming Wentz can improve his play.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
