Philadelphia Eagles: 5 X-factors to making shocking Super Bowl run
By Lucas Schuh
The Philadelphia Eagles came out on top of a very ugly NFC East, but this team still has some pieces to make a surprising Super Bowl run.
Between the Philadelphia Eagles and their laundry list of injuries and the Cowboys and their coaching woes, the NFC East was one of the worst divisions we’ve seen in quite some time. Ultimately, however, it was the Eagles punching a playoff ticket by winning the division.
At the beginning of the season, the Eagles had a Super Bowl-caliber roster on paper. Armed with the likes of Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, two seemingly nice draft picks in JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Miles Sanders, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and a litany of complementary pieces, this team was primed to compete at the highest level.
Then the season started and seemingly everybody got injured. They limped through much of the year but, thanks to a strong finish, were able to capture the NFC East and make their way into the 2020 NFL Playoffs.
On Sunday, they’ll start their postseason run as they take on the Seattle Seahawks in Philadelphia in the Wild Card Round. And despite all they’ve endured, the Eagles can still make a Super Bowl run — as long as these X-factors fall into place.
5. Health
Every team has a handful of injuries in a season; it’s just how football is. But it seems like the Eagles roster got hit with the bug especially hard in 2019
By Week 17 of the regular season, the only two offensive weapons who were relatively healthy. Tight end Dallas Godert and rookie running back Miles Sanders. But even now, Sanders is questionable for the Wild Card Round matchup with Seattle.
Players like Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Darren Sproles and Corey Clement all ended up on the injured reserve. Even star offensive guard Brandon Brooks, who was arguably having a career year, got injured and is officially out for the season while fellow offensive lineman Lane Johnson is also nursing an injury.
If the Eagles want to make a run at the Super Bowl they are going to not only need their players to stay healthy, but they are going to need some injuries to heal quickly and get enough talent onto the field.