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Today we continue our weekly roundup of how various media outlets have ranked the Philadelphia Eagles in their NFL power rankings. It’s always interesting to see how the Birds stack up from an outside perspective. But first we’ll start by revisiting mine.
Bleeding Green Nation
12 - The Eagles are benefiting from that Nick Foles magic for the second season in a row. Philly could be the team no one wants to face in the playoffs if they manage to get in. Back-to-back wins over Los Angeles and Houston is legit. (LW: 15)
ESPN
15 - Non-QB MVP: TE Zach Ertz. Although DT Fletcher Cox has wreaked havoc inside all year and is also worthy of consideration, Ertz has had a historic season, setting a new record for most catches in a season by a tight end (113). In an offense that has lacked consistency, Ertz has been the one constant force. (LW: 15)
NFL.com
15 - Nick Foles owns a flair for the dramatic, unmatched by anyone in the NFL today. It’s darned weird. Only Charlton Heston’s role in “ Wayne’s World II” can challenge the Eagles QB in that realm. Foles is mostly a career backup -- who also won a Super Bowl versus the greatest team of his era in high-drama fashion. He’s saved the Eagles’ playoff hopes two weeks in a row, doing it Sunday by throwing for a mere 471 yards and four touchdowns. Are you kidding? Not to mention being sidelined for a play on the final drive after absorbing a huge blow, before trotting back out there, a la Willis Reed. Philadelphia needs a win and a Vikings loss to get into the tournament. I wouldn’t bet against the Eagles. (LW: 15)
CBS Sports
14 - Nick Foles has come to the rescue again. If they beat the Redskins and the Vikings lose, they are in the playoffs. (LW: 15)
Pro Football Talk
14 - Carson Wentz is a better quarterback, but with Nick Foles on the field the Eagles are a better team. (LW: 15)
Yahoo! Sports
15 - What an amazing story Nick Foles is authoring … again. I’ll ask again: Has anyone had a stranger NFL career than Foles? (LW: 16)
Washington Post
10 - Nick Foles is saving the Eagles again while filling in for Carson Wentz. After beating the Rams in L.A., Foles beat the Texans with a dramatic late drive Sunday that set up a winning field goal. The defending champs still have playoff hopes entering Sunday’s regular season finale at FedEx Field. But they need help. This time, Foles might not have quite enough time to work his magic. (LW: 14)
Bleacher Report
16 - The champs just will not die. All season long, the Philadelphia Eagles have teetered on the brink in the NFC East. And when the Houston Texans took a one-point lead late Sunday, it appeared that balancing act was finally going to crash and the Eagles were going to become the first defending champs since the 2012 Ravens to miss the playoffs the following season. Not so fast, my friend! Despite being knocked out for a play by a vicious hit from Jadeveon Clowney, backup quarterback Nick Foles found record-setting tight end Zach Ertz for a long catch that set up the field goal that both gave Philly the win and kept their playoff hopes alive. Sobleski was feeling a little deja vu: ”Nick Foles is doing it again. For some reason, the Eagles just click with their backup signal-caller leading the way. Foles threw for a whopping 471 yards and four touchdowns against the Houston Texans. This marriage won’t last forever since the organization and Foles have a mutual contract option this offseason and Philadelphia is cap-strapped. But all parties can enjoy the ride while it lasts.” Philadelphia isn’t out of the woods yet, as the team will need a hand in Week 17 if it is going to have an opportunity to defend its Super Bowl title of a year ago. But you can rest assured the Eagles will be giving it everything they have next week in the nation’s capital. (LW: 16)
Sporting News
15 - The Eagles still are playing shaky defense, and they still can’t run the ball in key situations. But apparently none of that matters when they have Super Foles. However, it also wouldn’t be surprising if the QB were to play poorly against Washington. (LW: 15)
Talk of Fame Network
15 - Philadelphia Eagles. Zach Ertz has caught 112 passes to set the NFL single-season record for tight ends. That broke the mark of 110 by former Cowboys TE Jason Witten. Ertz also owns the franchise record for receptions, topping the 90 by RB Brian Westbrook in 2007. Ertz ranks second in the NFL in receiving, seven catches behind Michael Thomas of the Saints with one game remaining. (LW: 15)
15 - Despite a win on Sunday, the Eagles playoff odds diminished as both the Cowboys and Vikings also won. The city of Philadelphia will embrace Chicago Bears fandom come week 17, as a do-or-die matchup between them and Minnesota will likely determine the remaining NFC wildcard spot. (LW: 15)
Mile High Report
15 - Foles got dinged up, just like The Dude’s car. How bad is it? And will he be ready next week? (LW: 17)
Sports Illustrated
11 - No explanation (LW: 12)
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ANALYSIS
The rankings range from as high as 11 to as low as 16. The most common ranking is 15. The average ranking is 14.1, which is up slightly from last week’s average of 15.0.
The Eagles would’ve moved up more if some of the teams directly ahead of them (Vikings, Cowboys, etc.) lost, but they didn’t. Philadelphia can solidify their final position in the power rankings with a Week 17 win over Washington. The only question is: will the Eagles get help from the Bears beating Minnesota so that they can enter the NFC playoff picture as the No. 6 seed?