BALTIMORE – The Philadelphia Eagles have positioned themselves among the NFL’s elite for the third consecutive year after the initial 12 weeks of the season.

They reached the Super Bowl in 2022, but last season ended in a disappointing late collapse—losing six out of seven games, including an exit in the wild-card round—after starting the season at 10-1 for the second time in a row. Currently, they are enjoying a strong start again, standing at 10-2 and leading the NFC East following a 24-19 win against the Baltimore Ravens.

What will happen this time around?

“Last year is behind us. We don’t dwell on it,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni stated. “We have taken the lessons from last season and applied them. This is a new group, and we’re currently clicking together better than before.”

After starting the game down 9-0 and punting four times in a row, the Eagles managed to bounce back. They gained just 22 yards in the first quarter, with quarterback Jalen Hurts starting only 1-for-5 for 5 yards. Meanwhile, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and his team garnered 133 yards and seven first downs. However, the Eagles’ defense quickly reasserted itself, allowing just three points for the remainder of the game, boosted by some struggles from Ravens kicker Justin Tucker until a late touchdown drive for Baltimore.

“We stay committed to the plan and let the game unfold. Everyone knows that the initial few minutes can be intense,” remarked safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

He added: “One touchdown won’t seal the game, and that applies to our offense as well.”

The Eagles’ defense registered three sacks on Jackson and kept running back Derrick Henry (19 carries, 82 yards) in check, with rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean making an impressive tackle that highlighted their physical dominance. Sirianni mentioned that they motivated the defense by showing game clips of their previous encounter with Henry and the Tennessee Titans in 2022, where he managed just 30 yards on 11 carries.

<p“Together, through every high and low, we remain level-headed. We don’t get overly excited or down, and we continuously strive to improve,” said linebacker Zack Baun, now in his first season with the Eagles. “Our defense has many young players with a lot of potential that we believe in.”

The focus, as Gardner-Johnson emphasized, is not to send a message to the league but to perform well week after week. The Eagles take pride in their toughness and ability to limit the opposing team’s score.

“This type of game felt like a playoff matchup,” he noted about playing against the Ravens. “That’s a team that you might see in the Super Bowl, so hats off to our guys.”

While running back Saquon Barkley (23 carries, 107 yards) didn’t achieve his usual MVP-level success, he secured the victory with a crucial 25-yard touchdown dash. Hurts completed 11 of 19 passes for 118 yards, while Sirianni highlighted his quarterback’s impressive rating (114.4 over the last eight games) during their winning streak.

“I don’t subscribe to the idea of momentum. It’s an illusion,” Hurts explained. “It can shift at any moment. We must continuously evaluate ourselves and strive to be the best version of our team. It’s not about outdoing another team but about wholeheartedly pursuing our collective potential.”

Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, despite his injury, continues to make an impact by advising the coach to keep the offense on the field in critical situations.

The game showcased a solid performance by Philadelphia across all areas. Punter Braden Mann excelled, pinning the Ravens deep in their territory multiple times, with five of his six kicks landing within the 20-yard line.

“As a coach, those moments are thrilling because field position plays such a pivotal role,” Sirianni expressed. “Although it might not get much attention, it’s something I’m enthusiastic about and we discussed it post-game.”

This year, the primary challenge in the NFC isn’t the San Francisco 49ers, but rather the Detroit Lions. Other contenders in the NFC North, including the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, also made a strong showing in the opening months of the season. However, Philadelphia and Detroit appear to lead the NFC, while the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs dominate the AFC.

“It demonstrates our capabilities when we maintain our focus,” stated right tackle Lane Johnson. “But it’s vital to remember that nothing is guaranteed in this league. Look back at last year; we were in an excellent position, and then the last stretch turned into a nightmare. We must keep those lessons in mind.”

Johnson noted that this locker room has changed, with no Jason Kelce or Fletcher Cox due to retirement, and Brandon Graham injured last week. However, to avoid slipping, players need to stay focused and dedicated to improvement, as Johnson pointed out. “Are you going to become complacent, thinking everything is fine?” he rhetorically asked.

The offense’s four consecutive three-and-outs illustrate areas that still need refining, according to Johnson, who insisted that revisiting last year’s troubles isn’t meant to instill fear.

“It’s not to incite panic,” he clarified. “However, it’s intended to remind everyone—especially newer teammates who may not have been with us last year—to stay alert and not fall into the complacency trap. The NFL reality can be unforgiving, and we experienced that last year. We understood that today would be a challenging task.”

An essential factor in their current winning streak is the team’s collective ability to remain engaged and adaptable during the game.

Adjustments are important, but learning how to implement them is crucial, Johnson mentioned.

“You prepare all week for certain scenarios, and sometimes the other team surprises you with something new, so you must be ready to adapt during the game,” Johnson said. “Ultimately, success comes from the teams that make the least mistakes and learn from their errors.”

Sirianni compared the season to climbing a mountain. If you look too much in the past or the future, the risk of slipping increases. He and the Eagles have experienced the feeling of freefall.

“That doesn’t create exciting headlines or captivating stories,” he remarked. “We’re not thrilling, but the consistent, everyday effort is what brings about results.”

With eight consecutive victories, it’s hard to dispute that claim.