How much did we learn from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil? They’re for real, at least in the eyes of ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith.
Smith announced his Week 1 NFL power rankings during Tuesday’s episode of First Take, and he had a hot take on the Eagles — ranking them No. 3 overall behind only last year’s Super Bowl teams: the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
Why are the Eagles a top three team in the league? In Smith’s opinion, the impact of running back Saquon Barkley was undeniable. Here’s his full take:
.@stephenasmith’s Week 1 NFL power rankings are IN 🔓 pic.twitter.com/j9bgtbUxsu
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 10, 2024
Smith mentioned quarterback Jalen Hurts’ substandard performance and noted some question marks on defense. But to his point, “If your offense is that potent, they’re going to be ahead more than they’re behind.”
It’s nice to see Kellen Moore get his flowers for what was a solid debut as Eagles offensive coordinator. With A.J. Brown primed for another monster season, and DeVonta Smith’s usage as a slot receiver hinting at a breakout year, the Eagles have all the pieces in place to be special on offense in 2024. They scored 34 points on what was essentially an ice skating rink at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, for crying out loud.
Rounding out Smith’s overall top five were the Detroit Lions at No. 4 and the Baltimore Ravens at No. 5.
MORE EAGLES NEWS:
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