Colin Cowherd: “Eagles are not a Top-5 team without Lane Johnson”
Following the Eagles loss to Dallas on Saturday and the handful of injuries they suffered during the contest, the narrative surrounding the team has gotten pretty bleak.
Despite holding the best record in the league and being in-line to secure home field advantage throughout the postseason this week, the national media has done a complete 180 on the Birds. Most power rankings have the Eagles outside the top-three or top-five, and national pundits on nearly every outlet have slanted against Philadelphia in the wake of their Christmas Eve loss. One of those pundits being Mr. Colin Cowherd of FS1.
Every Tuesday, Cowherd drops his Herd Hierarchy on ‘The Herd,’ where he ranks the top-10 teams in the NFL at the moment. For the most part this season, the Eagles have remained in Cowherd’s top-five, reaching as high as the No. 1 spot in recent weeks.
Heading into Week 17, Cowherd now believes Philadelphia is far from the top contender in the NFC, ranking Dallas and San Francisco ahead of them. His main reasoning: Without Lane Johnson, the Eagles are not a top-five team.
Colin Cowherd: “Eagles are not a top-five team without Lane Johnson”
“Lane Johnson’s not playing, so they’re not a top-five team,” Colin Cowherd said. “That’s their reality. I don’t care what they did. This is not a standings list. They are not a top-five team without Lane Johnson.”
Cowherd went on to praise the Eagles defensive line for recording six sacks in four straight games and that once Jalen Hurts returns, Philly is still a very formidable opponent.
Losing Johnson is a huge blow for the Eagles, no one would deny that. During his Eagles career, the team has posted a .626 winning percentage when Johnson is on the field. When he’s sidelined, Philly has a 12-21 record (.364).
Per multiple reports, Johnson will miss the rest of the regular season after tearing a tendon in his abdominal area. The hope is that he returns in time for the postseason. Winning this week against New Orleans and securing a first-round bye would only heighten Johnson’s chances of playing in the postseason.
Even without Johnson, the Eagles still have one of the best offensive lines in the game and they have solid depth across it. Jack Driscoll will more than likely get the start at right tackle with Johnson sidelined. He’s more than a capable backup and he’s been a valuable piece for this offensive line since being drafted back in 2020.
Not to mention, Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is the best o-line coach in the business. He’ll have Driscoll ready to roll come game time.
Listen to the most recent episode of Grease the Poles
Eagles Lose to Dallas on Christmas Eve, Fallout From the Game, Injuries Begin to Mount, 'A Philly Special Christmas' Album Review – Grease the Poles
