The last time we saw the Philadelphia Eagles in action, they put together their best offensive outing of the season - running over the New York Giants to the tune of 276 yards, recording a season-high in both total yards and points scored. The NFL moves fast and a lot has changed in that time, but what hasn't, is the implications of a win on the road in Green Bay.
The Packers currently sit atop the NFC North thanks to their tie against the Cowboys, but the division itself sees two other teams sat on 6-3 records. This is a big game for the home team, and a chance for them to assert their own claim to the NFC throne.
For Philadelphia, this game marks the beginning of the toughest chapter of their schedule. With games against both Detroit and Chicago on deck along with clashes against Buffalo and Los Angeles along with NFC East ties and a home fixture against the Raiders, it's imperative that the Eagles walk out of Green Bay with a win.
You'd like to think they'll be able to do just that given the current momentum. Their most recent win was nothing short of a statement game and they come out of the Bye healthily reinforced. Nolan Smith is back, Brandon Graham is coming out of retirement, and Jaelen Phillips is ready to step up in his Philly debut. Sprinkle in the two secondary signings and the Eagles strengthened an already dominant roster during the bye, while many of the NFL's top dogs struggled.
Buffalo shockingly lost to Miami this past weekend, Baker and the Bucs were pipped to the post by Drake Maye's continued MVP push, and even Tyler Shough was able to upset the Panther. This has been a season of parity, and in reality, every year should be exactly that, but this has been the 'closest' regular season I can remember for a long time.
As we head into tonight's game, 17 teams maintain a .500 record or better. There is no runaway team outside of maybe the Patriots who are dictating everything within their respective division...outside of the Eagles that is.
The NFC East is once again floundering. The Commanders have battled injuries all season, Cam Skattebo's lightning start was very much bottled up after a heartbreaking injury, and despite Dak Prescott pushing the Cowboys offense to a 29.2 PPG average, Dallas sits at just 3-5.
It's there for the taking, now. If the Eagles can build on their momentum generated from a well-timed bye, and a win against the Giants that showed an offense running much smoother in weeks past, then there's every chance they walk out of Green Bay without ever really being pushed to their limit.
The Packers are a great team, but the Eagles beat them twice last season. Of course, the wildcard here is Micah Parsons, and it's not like Philly's offensive front has been outstanding through the opening half of the year, and Green Bay's defense ranks 5th in total yards allowed.
This is very much going to be a game that shows who the real Eagles are. The team that has escaped narrow games that should be very winnable, or the defending Super Bowl champions who are still levels above most other teams in the NFL.
A win here should place them right back at the top of the NFL's totem pole when it comes to forecasting Super Bowl runs. The NFC is a hotly contested minefield, and a path to a first-round bye is somehow well within sight despite their shortcomings. That shows just how strong this team is.
If the Giants game was a statement, a win on the road in a brisk Lambeau Field would be a deceleration. An assertion that this team is who we thought they were and simoultaneously know they can be. A championship roster that is still only now just scratching the surface of its potential.
