The Eagles Are 8-4, But the Numbers Tell a Much Darker Story
The Philadelphia Eagles are 8-4 and still sitting atop the NFC East. On paper, that’s a record most teams would love to have in December.
But if you’ve been watching this team week in and week out, you know the record doesn’t tell the full story. Not even close.
This is a team that’s lost two straight and, at times, looked completely out of sync on both sides of the ball. The offense has sputtered.
The defense has leaked yards. And the eye test?
It hasn’t been kind. There’s a growing sense that the Eagles are skating on thin ice.
Let’s start with the offense - because that’s where things have gone off the rails.
Hurts Under Pressure, Line Under Siege
Jalen Hurts hasn’t looked comfortable in the pocket this season. Whether it’s the pass rush closing in too quickly or the timing being off with his receivers, something’s not clicking.
Part of that stems from an offensive line that’s been banged up and inconsistent. When the line isn’t right, everything else falls apart - and we’re seeing that in real time.
Saquon Barkley, brought in to provide a spark in the run game, hasn’t been the same explosive weapon he was a year ago. Whether it’s the blocking, his health, or just the rhythm of the offense, his production has dipped significantly. And when the run game isn’t working, the play-calling has lacked the creativity to compensate.
The result? A unit that feels stuck in neutral.
Outgained in 10 of 12 Games - And Still 8 Wins?
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: through 12 games, the Eagles have been outgained in 10 of them. That’s not just a red flag - that’s a siren.
And yet, they’ve found a way to win eight games. That’s largely thanks to taking care of the football and some clutch defensive performances.
Their wins haven’t come against cupcakes either - they’ve beaten the Lions, Chiefs, Packers, Buccaneers, and Rams. All playoff hopefuls.
So yes, they’ve earned that 8-4 record.
But the underlying numbers? They paint a very different picture.
A Steep Decline from Last Year’s Juggernaut
Let’s rewind to 2024. The Eagles offense was a machine - 6,242 total yards (8th in the NFL), operating at a blistering pace with 1,114 offensive snaps (3rd most).
They controlled the clock, dominated possession, and wore teams down. The defense, meanwhile, was elite - allowing the fewest yards and fewest plays in the league.
Their time of possession? A league-best 32:21 per game.
They outgained opponents by 1,510 yards over the course of the season. That’s nearly 90 yards per game - the kind of margin that screams “Super Bowl contender.”
Now? It’s flipped entirely.
This Year’s Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
Let’s break it down:
- Yardage Differential: -509. That’s right - opponents have gained 509 more yards than the Eagles through 12 games.
That’s more than a full game’s worth of offense given up over the season, or about 42 yards per game. That’s a massive swing from last year’s dominance.
- Offensive Production: The Eagles rank 24th in total offense, averaging just 304.7 yards per game. That’s a steep drop from last season’s top-10 output.
- Defensive Struggles: The defense has allowed 4,166 yards - 10th most in the NFL. That wouldn’t be as glaring if the offense was doing its part. But when both units are underperforming, it creates a dangerous imbalance.
- Snap Count Disparity: The Eagles have run 84 fewer offensive plays than their opponents. That’s seven fewer snaps per game.
That might not sound like much, but over time, it adds up. The defense is on the field more, getting worn down, and we’re seeing the effects.
This isn’t a new issue either. Remember the 2023 collapse?
It started with lopsided snap counts. In Week 11 against the Chiefs, the defense was out there for 79 snaps compared to just 56 for the offense.
Then came Week 12 against the Bills - 95 defensive snaps to just 66 on offense. That’s a brutal workload.
The Eagles went on to lose six of their final seven games, including a quick playoff exit.
The Warning Signs Are Flashing Again
Fast forward to Week 13 of this season. Against the Bears, the Eagles had the ball for just over 20 minutes.
That’s not enough time to establish rhythm, wear down a defense, or control a game. And now they’re heading to L.A. to face a Chargers team that ranks second in time of possession this year.
The risk of another defensive burnout is very real.
The defense showed signs of fatigue on Black Friday against Chicago, and it’s no surprise. When your offense can’t sustain drives, the defense ends up carrying the load - and eventually, that dam breaks.
This isn’t just about fantasy points or red zone efficiency. It’s about the cumulative toll a struggling offense takes on an entire team. The rhythm is off, the balance is gone, and the margin for error has all but disappeared.
The Road Ahead
The good news? The schedule softens up after the Chargers.
The Eagles get the Raiders and Commanders - two teams they should be able to handle. But “should” is doing a lot of work there.
If the offense doesn’t show some signs of life soon, it’s hard to believe this team can make a real postseason run.
The NFC is wide open. The Eagles are still in the mix. But unless they can fix what’s broken - and fast - they risk watching another promising season unravel down the stretch.