The second weekend of the 2026 NFL season is here, and there’s a pretty simple north star for Eagles fans: keep Philadelphia’s path clean, and make life harder for everyone else.
Start with the obvious one. The Eagles are in Tennessee, and there’s every reason to think they should handle the Titans and move to 2-0. Go Birds.
In the NFC East, the better play is to pull for Washington over Dallas. The Commanders gave the Eagles a tight game, but the Cowboys are still the bigger threat in the division. Getting Dallas to 0-2 would be a nice little bonus, especially with a Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens sitting right there.
The Giants are the one NFC East team Eagles fans really don’t want to see gain steam. If New York knocks off the Rams on Monday night, the G-Men would be 2-0 before a stretch that includes the Titans in Week 3, the Cardinals in Week 4, and Washington in Week 5.
That kind of start could put them at 4-0, and maybe even 5-0. So even if a Rams win doesn’t help much with possible playoff seeding down the road, the rooting choice here is clear: go with Los Angeles.
Elsewhere in the NFC playoff picture, the Vikings are the better side to back against the Bears. Minnesota might not be bad, but Chicago looks like the bigger threat. Same logic applies in Seattle-Arizona, where the Cardinals are the pick because the reigning Super Bowl champs are the bigger concern.
When it comes to the rest of the slate, Eagles fans should be thinking ahead to later matchups and tiebreakers. Philadelphia plays Houston later this season, so the Texans are worth rooting for against Cincinnati. The idea is simple: if the Eagles beat them, a stronger Texans record helps Philly’s strength of victory.
The same logic applies with Pittsburgh. The Eagles will see the Steelers later this year, so a Steelers win over New England is the better outcome. There’s also the small extra wrinkle that the Eagles own the more favorable of two 2027 fifth-round picks from either the Patriots or Bears, so there’s another reason to pull against New England.
And in Jaguars-Broncos, the Eagles’ later matchup with Jacksonville makes the Jaguars the team to root for. If Philly beats them, a better Jaguars record helps the strength-of-victory picture.
As for Packers-Jets, that one’s easy: AFC team over NFC team. Root for the Jets.
In Other News...
Eagles Pass Rush Suddenly Has No Excuses After Fangios Callout
Vic Fangio didnt mince words after the Eagles opened the season with a win over Washington, saying the pass rush was too inconsistent and never finished the job with a sack. For a defense built to tilt games at the line of scrimmage, it was the kind of performance that leaves room for concern even in a victory, especially with key edge help still out because of injury and the early schedule already asking more of the front.
Now the focus shifts to Tennessee and rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who took plenty of hits in Week 1, giving Philadelphia a clear chance to be more disruptive. Jalyx Hunt and A.J. Epenesa both acknowledged the group has to be better, and Fangios critique has put the pressure on this rotation to turn a promising opener into something sharper in Week 2. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Safety Concern Just Got Harder To Ignore For Sunday
The Eagles secondary is looking a little thinner heading into Sundays matchup with the Titans, and the latest roster move only adds to the uncertainty. Philadelphia elevated rookie safety Maximus Pulley, a sign the team is preparing as if it may need another body on the back end with Drew Mukuba questionable because of a knee injury.
Mukubas status is the piece to watch, especially with the Eagles already navigating a practice week that included limited work for Jalen Carter and Cooper DeJean, both of whom are expected to play. Philadelphia still has one open roster spot, so the team has some flexibility, but the decision to bring up Pulley suggests the safety situation is now something the Eagles cannot afford to brush aside. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rookies Suddenly Carry Two Early Concerns Into Titans Game
The Eagles head into Week 2 against the Titans already juggling a couple of rookie-related questions that could shape how they handle the early part of the season. Wide receiver Makai Lemon has been on the field in the first two games, but his production has been limited and quiet, a slow start that appears tied in part to his recovery from injury. For a team trying to settle into a rhythm, that leaves one of its young pass catchers still searching for an opening to make an impact.
The more immediate concern may be up front, where Landon Dickersons move to injured reserve opens the door for rookie Micah Morris to take on a more important backup role. Philadelphia is weighing its options at left guard, and Morris suddenly looks like the kind of depth piece who could be asked to do more sooner than expected. For an offense built on stability in the trenches, his readiness is now part of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]