NFL power rankings: Stacking up all 32 teams amid 2018 training camp
By Peter Panacy
Philadelphia Eagles. 1. team. 54. . . Previous:
It’s possible the Super Bowl-defending Philadelphia Eagles suffer some sort of championship hangover in 2018. But for now, they resume holding onto the No. 1 spot in our NFL power rankings, taking over that slate from the Rams.
A big question, of course, will be whether or not third-year quarterback Carson Wentz will be ready to go from his late-season ACL injury in 2017.
The Eagles will bring him along slowly, of course, but the following evidence is enough to suggest he’ll start in Week 1:
In 11-on-11 drills, in pads, Carson Wentz just spun out of the pocket, ran to his left away from Chris Long, and fired.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) July 28, 2018
I’ll save everyone the angst. Barring a setback, there’s no way Carson Wentz isn’t starting Week 1.
Additional injury returnees include running back Darren Sproles and left tackle Jason Peters, whose veteran prowess already adds to a young and talented offense. Meanwhile, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) is expected back from the PUP list before Week 1 after dealing with an offseason surgery.
And that defense? Well, fans certainly witnessed how it shut down upper-echelon offenses last year, like the Patriots in the Super Bowl, of course.
The Eagles won’t surprise anyone like they did a year ago. Having a target on the collective back can have its merits, though, so it will be fun to see how Philadelphia reacts to being champions.
dark. Next. Predicting each NFL division winner, Wild Card teams in 2018
In all likelihood, Philly will be back in the postseason again after the regular season.