Pro Football Focus released its much-anticipated NFL preseason power rankings and in its tier named “Eyes on the Playoffs” sit the Eagles.
- PFF has the Eagles ranked 13th in the 32-team league. Not bad, not great. Probably right.
- In the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys are ranked 12th and also with “Eyes on the Playoffs.”
“Stuck in Limbo” are the other NFC East teams: The Washington Commanders at 23rd and the New York Giants at 26th.
The division’s rankings reflect another down season. The once-powerful NFC East just isn’t mighty anymore. It is rebuilding, but it isn’t quite there.
Philly fans, I suspect, will not be happy at #13 for the Eagles power rankings. There is optimism galore about the Eagles.
The Eagles have improved their receivers, defensive line and linebackers. But the most important position in any sport, quarterback, is a work in progress. Jalen Hurts might be something special and he might not be. If he turns out to be great, he might not be great *this* year.
All in all, I think the 13th is a legitimate ranking. I think 10th through 13th would have been valid for the Eagles power rankings.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE EAGLES
Here is what PFF writer Sam Monson said about the Eagles:
“I’m not sure any franchise had a better offseason than the Eagles when all is considered. Trading for A.J. Brown gives them the No. 1 receiver they have been searching for, and it also allows DeVonta Smith to concentrate on doing what he does well as the No. 2.
“Adding Haason Reddick and Jordan Davis reinforces a defensive front that was eroding from its peak, and grabbing James Bradberry late in the day is a really shrewd signing that could make a real difference.
“Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean could also prove to be one of the biggest steals of the draft if he’s the same player in the NFL that he was in college.”
At 12th, the Cowboys sounds like an 11-5 team on the decline but with enough talent to still contend in the East in 2022.
From PFF: “Dallas had a curious offseason where every problem it faced seemingly caught the franchise by surprise. The team traded away Amari Cooper because it was upset that he wasn’t providing the kind of value his contract suggested.
“Cedrick Wilson also departed in free agency. They thought they re-signed Randy Gregory, but he became upset at some contract language, so he took the same offer from Denver, leaving Dallas scrambling to replace him. Overall, this team likely spun its wheels in the mud this offseason while other teams improved, but they are still a good team overall.”
PFF is not a big fan of the Commanders and their new quarterback: “Hitching your wagon to a player that is being thrown out of his previous employer’s building after just one year as the answer at quarterback is a risky strategy, but that was Washington’s answer to a disappointing season in 2021. Carson Wentz ranked 23rd in the NFL last season in overall PFF grade and was at his worst in the crunch period of the season with the playoffs on the line.”
PFF seems to like the front office moves made by the Giants: “The biggest additions the Giants made were at general manager and head coach, and Brian Daboll, in particular, could have a real impact on Daniel Jones at quarterback. Jones was a top-five graded quarterback in the league through the first month of the season in 2021 before the wheels fell off as the offense disintegrated around him.”
HERE ARE PFF RANKINGS
“True Contenders”
- Buffalo Bills
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LA Rams
- Kansas City Chiefs
- LA Chargers
“Could be their Year”
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Denver Broncos
8. Cincinnati Bengals
9. San Francisco 49ers
10. Cleveland Browns
11. Baltimore Ravens
“Eyes on the Playoffs”
12. Dallas Cowboys
14: Arizona Cardinals
15. Indianapolis Colts
16. Las Vegas Raiders
17. Tennessee Titans
18. New England Patriots
19. Miami Dolphins
20. New Orleans Saints
“Stuck in Limbo”
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Minnesota Vikings
23. Commanders
24. Detroit Lions
25. NY Jets
26. Giants
“Rebuilding”
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
28. Houston Texans
29. Carolina Panthers
30. Atlanta Falcons
31. Chicago Bears
32. Seattle Seahawks
These are fairly solid rankings. PFF has the Packers a little underrated at No. 6 and the Broncos overrated at No. 7. It has the Browns way overrated at No. 10 given Deshaun Watson’s status and possible suspension.
Of the top 11 teams, the Eagles only play one — the Packers.
