Eagles Are 8-4, But the Cracks Are Showing - And Fans Know the Feeling All Too Well
The Philadelphia Eagles are sitting at 8-4 heading into Week 14. By most standards, that’s a strong record.
But in Philly? Panic buttons are never too far out of reach - especially when the reigning Super Bowl champs are looking more like a team searching for answers than defending a crown.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t unfamiliar territory. The Eagles have been through mid-season turbulence before. And while fans might still be haunted by the collapse of 2023, there’s a case to be made that this year’s struggles are built on a different - and possibly more fixable - foundation.
According to ESPN’s Ben Solak, the Eagles still have the bones of a championship team. The quarterback?
Still the guy. The talent?
Still there. But the execution - particularly on offense - has taken a hit, and it’s not just about injuries.
Solak points to a lack of creativity in the offensive coaching staff and a noticeable regression across the offensive line, both in terms of health and performance. That’s a tough combination when your offense is built around timing, rhythm, and protection.
Still, Solak isn’t sounding the alarm on the whole season. His take?
The offense isn’t doomed - it just needs a jolt. And that’s not out of reach.
Déjà Vu or Something Different?
It’s impossible to talk about the 2025 Eagles without the shadow of 2023 creeping in. That year started strong and unraveled quickly, with coaching changes and locker room tension leading to a second-half collapse. But this time around, the issues feel more structural than cultural.
Left tackle Jordan Mailata has pushed back on comparisons to 2023, and he’s not wrong to do so. That team still had a top-10 offense by many metrics.
This year’s group? Not quite.
The unit has struggled to find consistency, and the playcalling hasn’t helped. There’s a sense that the offense is forcing the ball to A.J.
Brown - especially in the wake of his cryptic social media posts - while underutilizing other key weapons like Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith.
It’s not just about who gets the ball - it’s about how. The Eagles have lacked spark and unpredictability.
Drives stall. Red zone trips fizzle.
And when the offensive line isn’t holding up, it’s hard for even the best playmakers to shine.
Defense Holding the Line - Barely
While the offense has sputtered, the defense has managed to stay afloat - even as the injury list grows longer by the week. Under veteran coordinator Vic Fangio, the unit hasn’t been dominant, but it’s been steady. That’s more than could be said for the 2023 defense, which cycled through coordinators and finished in the bottom half of the league in most major categories.
Fangio has done a solid job patching holes and keeping the group competitive. But average might not be enough when the offense isn’t pulling its weight.
**Playoffs? Probably.
Contenders? Not Yet.
**
Here’s the reality: the Eagles are still a playoff team. But right now, they don’t look like a team built to make a deep run. Solak suggests they might be able to sneak out a win in the postseason, but anything beyond that feels like a stretch unless something changes - fast.
The NFC is no cakewalk. The Rams, Seahawks, and Packers are all playing physical, confident football.
The 49ers and Bears are surging. And while Philly has the experience and star power to hang with anyone on paper, they haven’t looked like a team ready to go toe-to-toe with the best.
What Comes Next
There’s still time. Four games left.
A playoff berth within reach. And a roster filled with players who’ve been on the biggest stage and delivered.
But this team needs more than just belief - it needs answers.
The offensive line has to stabilize. The playcalling needs a spark. And the stars - Barkley, Smith, Brown - have to be put in positions to take over games, not just fill box scores.
The Eagles have been here before. The question is whether they’ve learned from the past - or if history is about to repeat itself.