Can the Eagles Contend with the NFC’s Team to Beat?
Week Two of the NFL has only just begun, and the Green Bay Packers are taking much of the credit for the NFC looking more competitive than anyone expected. After a win over the Commanders Thursday night, many are calling the Packers the team to beat in the NFC. With the addition of Micah Parsons, Green Bay’s defense has taken on a new identity, much like how Saquon Barkley’s presence amplified the Eagles’ offense last season. Parsons has shown nothing but elite dominance and has given Green Bay the kind of disruptive pass rush that changes their game strategies. Overall, the early results of the 2025 season suggest that the Packers may be the biggest threat to Philadelphia's reign in the NFC.
Through the first two weeks, the Packers have defeated prominent opponents in the conference. Last year, the Detroit Lions were the number one seed in the NFC. In Week One, Green Bay held the Lions to just 13 points and fewer than 50 rushing yards. They followed that up in Week Two by defeating the Commanders—who were in the NFC championship Game last season—and limited them to only 18 points and 51 yards rushing. Both Detroit and Washington averaged about 30 points per game last season, but against Green Bay, the teams combined for only 31 points.
Despite the impressive stats for Green Bay, it is worth mentioning that neither the Lions nor the Commanders looks as dangerous as they did in their 2024 campaigns. The Lions' offense has weakened with the loss of two prominent starters on the offensive line— Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler. The Commanders, on the other hand, showed one of their weakest performances last night but were still able to put up 18 points against the Packers. There is no doubt that Green Bay’s defense is strong, but how much has their early success been a result of a decline in their opponents?
Meanwhile, the starting quarterback for the Packers, Jordan Love, continues to develop. Against Washington, he showed vigor, with 292 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. This performance also showed that he could spread the ball effectively, as five different receivers caught passes of 15 yards or more, and tight end Tucker Kraft was revealed as his most reliable outlet. However, it's arguable that Love hasn’t reached the level of mobility and versatility that separates the championship quarterbacks from the average ones. His ability to win games in more than one way could define how far the Packers can go this season.
This could very well be where the Philadelphia Eagles maintain their edge. Jalen Hurts has not only proven himself as a game-winner, but is potentially among the league's most versatile quarterbacks. Hurts has repeatedly shown that he can use his legs to extend drives or run the ball for a touchdown himself. He has also been able to convert on third downs. Both his passing growth and his mobility out of the pocket make him hard to defend, especially when paired with a superior offensive roster depth. Saquon Barkley out of the backfield has added a revolutionary dimension to Philly’s team, while AJ Brown remains an elite receiving threat. There are many layers to the Eagles' offensive attack, which is patient and disciplined enough to adjust mid-game to wear down defenses.
Defensively, the Eagles are young, but they have proven to have the fight and the wherewithal to contend throughout the entirety of a game. In the season opener against their Dallas rivals, they were able to shut out Dak Prescott in the second half, despite playing without their most disruptive defender. With Jalen Carter back for Week Two—and for the remainder of the season—the Eagles defense only grows stronger. From run defenses to the secondary, to an elite pass rush, Philadelphia's defense ranks among the league's best. Micah Parsons has added an element of power to the Packers' defense, but their secondary is one of their weakest links, whereas Philly’s defense is pretty solid throughout.
The true separator of the Eagles from the Packers is consistency. Green Bay has always been known as a strong team, but fans often question if they can keep the pressure on. This year, they are starting with flashes of greatness, but history shows that Green Bay often leaves its campaigns with untapped potential. The Eagles, on the other hand, consistently find a way to win and deliver under pressure to close out opponents when it matters most. The Packers are certainly on the rise and may very well be the biggest conference threat as Philly works to defend their title. However, until Jordan Love reaches another level and the Packers prove that they can sustain dominance, the Eagles may very well remain the team to beat in the NFC.
