3 Major Takeaways From Eagles’ 6 Game Winning Streak

When the Eagles entered the bye week at 2-2, there was a lot of worry that we were in for a disappointing Eagles season. But, since that bye week, the Eagles have turned the season around, winning all 6 games, and are looking like a real Super Bowl contender.

Whether or not they will get there remains to be seen, but it’s impossible to not have Super Bowl expectations for this team.

The Defense is Legit

Coming into the season the defense was by far the biggest question mark for this Eagles team. Now, it is their biggest strength. Many people in the offseason thought that it would take two years to turn around this defense, but amazingly Howie was able to do it in just one.

There are very few players that come into the NFL and in their first year turn into an all-pro, and Quinyon Mitchell is on his way to an all-pro season. Mitchell has been way better than anyone could have expected, and he has transformed this defense. He absolutely shut down Terry McLaurin and has not allowed more than 23 yards to some of the top receivers in the league. That list includes Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, among others. He has become able to shut down a whole side of the field, and while he doesn’t have an interception yet, he is playing like a defensive rookie of the year and all-pro.

The other player who has transformed this defense is Zack Baun. Baun is another player who’s on his way to an all-pro season, which is amazing considering this is his first season playing the linebacker position. Baun has completely transformed his career, and he has Vic Fangio and Howie Roseman to credit for that. Vic and Howie saw that Baun was being used incorrectly in New Orleans, and after having him switch positions he has been playing the best football of his career. The Eagles finally have good linebackers, and they must resign him this offseason.

The Eagles’ defense as they are playing right now is more than good enough to win a Super Bowl with. The only weakness is the pass rush, which has been getting better. While they may not hold every playoff team to under 20 points, I believe they will give this team more than a great chance to win games in the playoffs.

Jalen Needs To Be More Consistent

My biggest concern with this football team is Jalen Hurts inconsistency. In the playoffs against the Lions, Bills, or some of these other teams Jalen can not have whole halves of football like he did last week against Washington. Jalen was terrible in the first half of that game, missing open receivers left and right, and this happens way too often in the beginning of games. In most games this season Hurts starts the game, or half, extremely slow, and then picks it up in the second half. He needs to start putting together more consistent games.

He has played one great half of football this season against Cincinnati, and besides that, he has had some very good halves, but never a complete game. While it is obvious we have become a run-first offense, it makes it all the more important that he plays complete games. Jalen is only going to get around 25 chances a game to make an impact with his arm. He has to take advantage of more of those chances.

Hurts has been fantastic this year with his deep ball, and it has been the best part of his game. Hurts has also been very good in the run game this season. An example of that was his run to pick up the first down late in the game. That was a big-time run and something he has done over and over again this season. Another positive about Jalen is his ability to keep focusing on the next play. This shows in his second-half turnarounds. He has the great ability to shake off a bad play, or drive, or half, and turn things around in a game. That is a rare quality that not many players have. But to win a Super Bowl this season, Jalen Hurts has to be more consistent.

The Eagles Can Not Waste This Saquon Season

The Eagles are getting special play out of Saquon Barkley, and they cannot waste it. Saquon already has 1,137 rushing yards which is second in the league. He also is tied for the league lead in carries. You cannot waste this year from Saquon. If we are going to learn anything from the 49ers they show that a special running back can transform a team, but unfortunately, they do not last long. The Eagles have Saquon for three seasons, but it’s hard to imagine we will ever see a better season from him. Barkley is the engine that makes this offense go, and by far has been the team’s best player. If the Eagles are going to win the Super Bowl it will be led by Saquon offensively, and I would hate to waste what will probably be his best season as an Eagle.

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