What we are certain and uncertain about the Eagles heading into Week 2

It may have been one of the best starts to an NFL season in recent memory. Of the 14 games played on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, 11 of them were decided by one score while six were decided by four points or less, including the Eagles’ season-opening 24-20 win where the defense had to hold on late for the victory.

In that game, there were some impressive performances, but there were also some questions that still need to be answered as the Eagles visit the Chiefs in a Super Bowl LIX rematch.

Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell will be one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL: Certain

Baun and the rookie Campbell stood out on the defensive side of the ball when going back and watching film. Baun, the feel-good story from a season ago who parlayed a career year into a three-year $51-million deal with the Eagles, made a touchdown-saving play, tracking down former Eagles' running back Miles Sanders who looked destined for a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.

Five plays later, Campbell along with Byron Young, combined to force a fumble on another carry by Sanders stopping the promising drive for Dallas in its tracks and just before the hour-plus long weather delay before the teams did not score a single point for the remainder of the game.

Perhaps Campbell's most impressive play was his pass deflection he had, running down field about 30 yards before sticking his left arm up to disrupt what would have been a big connection between Dak Prescott and 6-foot-7 tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford.

Baun paced the defense with nine tackles (six solo) to go along with a tackle for a loss and a pass deflection. Campbell finished his NFL debut with three tackles, the forced fumble and pass deflection.

CB2 will be figured out in time for the Chiefs game: Uncertain

It was not the best showing for veteran Adoree' Jackson on Thursday night. To be fair to Jackson, it was not the easiest first test going up against one of the best wide receivers in the league in CeeDee Lamb. However, the Eagles will be facing plenty of teams that have more than one good wide receiver and they certainly need better play at that position regardless.

Jackson played 42 snaps (69%) in the win and probably would have played even more if he did not get shaken up and evaluated for a concussion. Jakorian Bennett played seven snaps in his place (11%) while notably, Kelee Ringo did not see a single defensive snap in the win.

On Monday morning, it was reported by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz that the team was working out veteran cornerback Mike Hilton. The eight-year veteran spent his first four seasons with the Steelers while playing the last four with the Bengals. The 31-year-old has 13 career interceptions and 56 pass deflections in 123 career games.

If the Eagles opt to sign Hilton, it is important to note that he is strictly a slot cornerback which means that the team could be looking at moving Cooper DeJean to the outside full-time. If they decide to stay with options in house, expect Bennett, who will have another week of practice under his belt in this Fangio defense potentially get the start at CB2 Sunday.

There is no need for concern regarding A.J. Brown's minimal production: Certain

There has been plenty said regarding the relationship between A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts. There was plenty said after Thursday's win and the days following after the star wideout has just one target and catch, both coming with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter. It was an 8-yard catch on a quick out route when the game was on the line.

Postgame, Brown said that the lack of targets is something he cannot control.

DeVonta Smith was also not a big factor in the victory, hauling in three catches for just 16 yards.

Going through the All-22 film, there were definitely some plays that Brown was open, or he was Hurts' first read. However, a good majority of Brown's routes featured him lining up outside the numbers and breaking inside. The Cowboys were ready and anticipated that while also having a linebacker and cornerback shade him to create tight windows for Hurts to get Brown the football.

In addition, the Cowboys, who played man coverage at an above average rate last season changed it up in Week 1 and played zone on all 33 of Hurts' dropbacks per Next Gen Stats. Brown typically has more success when he can out muscle a cornerback in one-on-one matches or getting inside leverage on smaller players in the secondary.

You can expect two things moving forward.

Kevin Patullo and the offensive staff regrouping and devising a more creative gameplan on how to get Brown the ball.

This is also how the Eagles can win games. With so many different ways to beat other teams, there will be games that both Brown and Smith might not have eye popping numbers in the box score, but one of the top receivers having one target with under two minutes left in regulation certainly is not a recipe for continued success.

The pass rush will be just fine: Uncertain

This one will more than likely become a certainty as the season progresses. Losing your best interior defensive lineman before the first defensive snap certainly threw a wrench in the game plan for Vic Fangio and his defense. It forced Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo to play 89% of the snaps.

Per NextGen Stats, it was the first time in the NGS era (since 2016) that the Eagles have had two DTs play over 85% of the snaps. Davis' previous career-high play time rate was 68% in Week 6 against Miami. Being unable to give Ojomo and Davis much of a breather when needed on top of not having Carter taking on double teams to open it up for the pass rushers certainly slowed down any pass rush the Eagles could generate. They did not sack Dak Prescott once in the win on Thursday.

Despite that, it is clear that the EDGE group is still in need of some help. Free agent signing Azeez Ojulari was a healthy scratch which does not bode well for the former Giant. Meanwhile, the Eagles signed Za'Darius Smith on Friday to a one-year deal, $9 million deal to come in and bring his veteran pass rushing presence to the group.

Smtih, 32, split the 2024 campaign with Cleveland and Detroit, racking up 17 QB hits and nine sacks in 17 regular season games. The Eagles become his sixth different team he has played for over the course of his 11-year career. He will look to added to a group that consists of Josh Uche and Jalyx Hunt who each were credited with four pressures along with Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean when he returns from his injury.

Last season, the Eagles had just one game during the regular season that they did not have a sack in which was the final game of the season against the Giants.

Of course, it is early in the season and some of these concerns could very well iron out. For now, they may just have gut out close victories until everything is sorted out.