NFL Power Rankings: Eagles stay the course heading into Week 3

After surpassing expectations during their Week 1 win, the Philadelphia Eagles fell back to Earth after their 17-11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Jalen Hurts couldn’t get much going Sunday afternoon, only completing 12 passes for 190 yards — 91 of those yards were on one throw to Quez Watkins. As a result, the offense was inconsistent and lacked the fluidity that was on display v. Atlanta.

Although it wasn’t a win, the expectation still looks like the Eagles will be a competitive team this season. The 49ers have a formidable defense, so a loss doesn’t hurt their outlook that much. With that in mind, let’s look at where the Eagles are ranked across the league heading into Week 3:

Sporting News: 19th (18th last week)

“The Eagles have found their quarterback in Jalen Hurts for now, but despite his high dual-threat floor, his inexperience will show at times in tougher games such as Week 2 vs. the 49ers. The offensive line and defense are going back to being strengths, which can be helpful assets in trying to edge the Cowboys for the NFC East down the line.”

Pro Football Network: 20th

“This team lost today, but they appear to be a scrappy bunch. The offense averaged 1.5 yards more per play than the 49ers, but they could only manage 3 points until late in the fourth quarter.

The passing attack needs to find more consistent production away from the line of scrimmage or downfield shots. The intermediate areas of the field have to become a viable option, or the offense won’t consistently score points.

Using a trick play in a 4th-and-goal situation is too cute, especially with an incredibly mobile quarterback at your disposal.”

NFL: 20th (17th last week)

“The Eagles dominated the 49ers for most of the first half on Sunday and still found themselves trailing as they headed to the tunnel. When the dust cleared on a 17-11 loss, Philadelphia was left to make peace with the opportunities wasted: Jalen Reagor stepping out of bounds prior to a long touchdown catch, a Quez Watkins 91-yard reception somehow producing zero points, a Derek Barnett unnecessary roughness penalty that whittled away precious time in the fourth quarter. The Eagles deserve credit for hanging tough with a talented San Francisco team, but that was also a winnable game they let slip away. The challenge to bounce back will be greater with Brandon Graham lost for the season with an Achilles injury.” 

ESPN: 21st (21st last week)

“Quez Watkins entered training camp as a reserve but earned playing time with one electrifying play after another this summer. We’re now seeing that translate to the regular season, as Watkins hauled in a 91-yard reception against the 49ers on Sunday and finished with two catches for 117 yards.”

Sports Illustrated: 22nd

“The Eagles were among the biggest surprises of Week 1, but scoring just 11 points in the follow-up game against the 49ers takes some of the shine off a 32-point effort in Atlanta. The Eagles have plenty of veterans, but at the start of a new era with a first-year coach and young quarterback, more ups and downs should be expected.”

Bleacher Report: 22nd (22nd last week)

“Hurts once again picked up yards with his legs Sunday against the Niners; his 82 yards on 10 carries led the team. But his passing line wasn’t nearly as good as the week before: 12 completions on 23 attempts for 190 yards. With that said, Hurts’ so-so day was far from the worst thing that happened to the Eagles on Sunday. Per Eagles reporter Derrick Gunn, veteran defensive end Brandon Graham was carted off the field with what is believed to be a season-ending Achilles tear.”

CBS Sports: 23rd (22nd last week)

“They did some good things against the 49ers, but blew early chances to take a grasp of the game. You can’t do that against good teams, and they paid for it.”

NBC Sports: 24th (24th last week)

“The Eagles were on the losing side of an ugly Week 2 game vs. the San Francisco 49ers. Other than a late rushing TD, Jalen Hurts couldn’t get much going offensively as the second-year QB completed 12 of 23 passes for 190 yards in a 17-11 loss.”

Ranking 24th at worst is a welcome sight after being ranked as low as 31st heading into 2021. The Eagles have a chance to get back on track Monday night as they travel to Dallas for an early divisional matchup.

It’s officially #DallasWeek 🦅 pic.twitter.com/fVtPMHPhlm

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 21, 2021

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Mandatory Credit: AP Photo | Danny Karnik