The Eagles (8-1) are back to business after a much-needed bye, and the team has started early preparation for a six-game gauntlet that will shape the NFC playoff picture.
Philadelphia is getting healthier, and GM Howie Roseman will look for his investment in elite talent to pay off fully.
First up after the bye is a mini-Super Bowl rematch against the 7-2 Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
With Kickoff a little over 34 hours away, we’re looking at the Eagles’ updated 53-man roster after a slew of roster moves.
#0 D'Andre Swift, RB
Rejuvenated after his trade to the Eagles, Swift has logged a 135 carries, for 614 yards, three touchdowns, and a 4.5 yards per carry clip.
Over the past month, Swift is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and scoring just one rushing touchdown.
Philadelphia has been dominant in the running game down the stretch the past two seasons and it’ll be on Swift to log his first 1,000-yard season, while also giving the Birds a physical presence in the postseasn.
#1 QB Jalen Hurts
Since Week 7, the quarterback has a 75.0 completion percentage, an average of 8.8 yards per attempt, an 8-to-1 passing touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio, and a 125.5 passer rating.
Hurts has an opportunity to win the NFL MVP award, and that’ll likely put Philadelphia back in the Super Bowl.
#2 CB Darius Slay
According to PFF, Slay and Bradberry rank 43rd and 82nd in defensive passer rating among 97 corners who’ve played at least 200 snaps. Among NFL safeties who have played 200 snaps, Blankenship ranks 41st, but Byard is 78th (including his time with the Titans).
Through nine games, opposing quarterbacks have a 99.4 passer rating when facing the Eagles, the fourth-highest in the league and fourth-highest vs. the Eagles all-time through nine games.
The Eagles are just the eighth team in NFL history to allow 2,300 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes, have just four interceptions after nine games, and are the first to win more than five games.
The two cornerbacks are All-Pros, and they paid well to perform as such.
The pass rush has been elite, but this Eagles defense will go as Slay and Bradberry go.
#3 Nolan Smith, LB
The rookie from Georgia will see his snaps increase down the stretch.
#4 Jake Elliott, K
#6 WR Devonta Smith
Smith is on pace for another 1,000-yard season, and he’ll pair with A.J. Brown to form the NFL’s top receiving duo.
#7 LB Haason Reddick
Reddick has taken off after having the cast removed from his thumb, and he’s on the way towards another 10+ sack season, his fifth straight.
#8 Marcus Mariota, QB
#10 Braden Mann
#11 WR A.J. Brown
Brown reached 1,000-yards in a season quicker than any pass catcher in Eagles franchise history, and his 1,005 yards are second in the NFL to Tyreek Hill, who’s logged 1,076 yards.
#13 WR Olamide Zaccheaus
Zaccheaus could see a bigger role on offense with Dallas Goedert out.
#14 RB Kenneth Gainwell
#18 WR Britain Covey
#19 QB Tanner McKee
#21 DB Sydney Brown
#22 CB Kelee Ringo
#23 RB Rashaad Penny
#24 CB James Bradberry
According to PFF, Slay and Bradberry rank 43rd and 82nd in defensive passer rating among 97 corners who’ve played at least 200 snaps. Among NFL safeties who have played 200 snaps, Blankenship ranks 41st, but Byard is 78th (including his time with the Titans).
Through nine games, opposing quarterbacks have a 99.4 passer rating when facing the Eagles, the fourth-highest in the league and fourth-highest vs. the Eagles all-time through nine games.
The Eagles are just the eighth team in NFL history to allow 2,300 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes, have just four interceptions after nine games, and are the first to win more than five games.
The two cornerbacks are All-Pros, and they paid well to perform as such.
The pass rush has been elite, but this Eagles defense will go as Slay and Bradberry go.
#28 CB Josh Jobe
#31 DB Kevin Byard
Byard has had success against Kelce, and the Chiefs were 1-4 against Tennessee when the safety was a Titan before the Eagles acquired him in a trade a few weeks ago.
He’s been slow to adapt to Sean Desai’s scheme, but the veteran safety must be more efficient and decisive in coverage.
#32 DB Reed Blankenship
#33 CB Bradley Roby
Roby only played 55 snaps against the Rams and Jets before going on IR, but he was stout in coverage, and the Eagles’ pass defense was among the NFL’s best over that period.
He’s not Avonte Maddox, but he takes the pressure off Eli Ricks and Sydney Brown while stabilizing the secondary.
#34 DB Josiah Scott
#35 RB Boston Scott
Scott returns to the lineup after missing the Week 9 win over Dallas due to personal reasons.
#39 CB Eli Ricks
Ricks was overwhelmed in his matchup with CeeDee Lamb, and will see his snaps lighten with the return of Bradley Roby.
#41 LB Nicholas Morrow
With Nakobe Dean on injured reserve, Morrow will maintain his starting linebacker spot alongside Zach Cunningham.
#45 LS Rick Lovato
#48 LB Patrick Johnson
#51 OL Cam Jurgens
Jurgens has missed the last five games after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 4 win over Washington.
The Eagles were among the league leaders in rushing with Jurgens in the lineup and his return gives Philadelphia their best lineup up front.
#52 LB Zach Cunningham
According to Pro Football Focus, Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham are ranked 12th and 17th among 78 linebackers who’ve played at least 100 coverage snaps. The Eagles’ defensive line has been stout against the run, but it’ll Cunningham and his sideline-to-sideline abilities that help this team improve against the pass.
#53 LB Christian Elliss
#55 DE Brandon Graham
#56 Tyler Steen
#62 OL Jason Kelce
A media star and podcast sensation, Jason Kelce could be coming out of his final bye week as the Eagles legend will start to again contemplate potential retirement.
#63 OL Jack Driscoll
#65 OL Lane Johnson
#68 OL Jordan Mailata
#69 OL Landon Dickerson
#72 OL Moro Ojomo
#74 OL Fred Johnson
#78 OL Sua Opeta
#80 WR Julio Jones
With Dallas Goedert out with an injury, Jones could see an increased role in the red zone and crucial pass downs.
#81 TE Grant Calcaterra
Calcaterra could certainly see his role increase with Goedert’s injury.
#85 TE Albert Okwuegbunam
Last season, the Eagles played without Goedert for five games while he recovered from a shoulder injury, and the offensive personnel was tweaked to keep explosive plays and consistency.
Jack Stoll is the No. 2 tight end and likely starter, but fourth-year veteran Albert Okwuegbunam could be the guy who keeps the offense consistent and efficient.
Okwuegbunam had 7 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos final preseason game.
A 2020 4th-round pick, he’s logged 54 catches for 546 yards and 4 scores in 3 seasons.
#88 TE Dallas Goedert
The Eagles didn’t put Goedert on injured reserve, so he could return ahead of the four week diagnosis for his fractured forearm.
#89 TE Jack Stoll
Stoll could see his production increase as the starter with Goedert ruled out.
#90 DT Jordan Davis
#91 DT Fletcher Cox
Cox will look to be dominant down the stretch in what could be his final ride with the Eagles.
#93 DT Milton Williams
#94 DE Josh Sweat
The defense ranks third in the NFL with 154 quarterback pressures and Josh Sweat’s 50 pressures are fourth in the NFL this season.
Sweat has 6.5 sacks this season and through nine games, his 23 4th quarter pressures are seven more than Jadeveon Clowney in Baltimore.
#95 DT Marlon Tuipulotu
#96 DE Derek Barnett
#98 DE Jalen Carter
Carter has appeared in eight games for the Eagles. He ranks third on the team with four sacks and fourth with seven quarterback hits.
Carter (90.6) is the second highest graded defensive tackle in the NFL, 4th in pass rush grade (87.9), and he’ll need to be a difference maker down the stretch.
