The 2025 Eagles Have to Win a Different Way

Last year, the Eagles won the Super Bowl by being different. They zigged while the league zagged. In an era built on explosive passing, Philly leaned on a historic run game and the league’s best defense. They pounded teams into submission, controlled the clock, and trusted a defense that smothered opponents.

That formula worked. It didn’t just work — it delivered a Lombardi. But here’s the truth: that formula isn’t repeatable in 2025.

2024: The Outlier Blueprint

Historic Run Game
Philly’s ground attack wasn’t just efficient — it was dominant. Behind a veteran O-line and Jalen Hurts’ legs, they dictated pace. Defenses knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it.

#1 Defense in the NFL
Vic Fangio’s unit gave up nothing easy. The pass rush was relentless, the coverage tight, and the Eagles were the rare team that could win games 20–13 in a league where most contenders needed 30+ to survive.

The Style Contrast
Everyone else was trying to spread and shred. Philly was content to grind it out, shorten games, and trust their physicality. They won a Super Bowl doing it their way — and it was as old school as it gets.

2025: A Different Reality

This year’s team? Still unbeaten at 4–0. Still talented. Still dangerous. But they’re not the same.

The Run Game Isn’t Dominant
Saquon Barkley brings juice, but the offensive line hasn’t been the same road-grading unit. Defenses are keeping Hurts contained on designed runs, and the chunk plays just aren’t there at the same rate. Philly can still run it, but it’s not the same overwhelming hammer it was in 2024.

The Offensive Line Concerns
The big difference is on the interior. Landon Dickerson is gutting it out through an injury but hasn’t looked like his usual self. Cam Jurgens is coming off offseason back surgery and has struggled in pass protection through the first month. And losing Mekhi Becton in free agency hurt — Tyler Steen has stepped in and been solid, but he’s not the same level of presence yet. Lane Johnson has been banged up in two of the first four games, and he’s not getting younger, but when he’s on the field his play is still elite.

The Defense Is Really Good, But…
This group can still be elite. But asking them to replicate last year’s historic level? That’s not realistic. You can’t bank on being the #1 defense in the league two years in a row. Regression is natural.

The Challenge Ahead

The Eagles can’t just roll out the same script and expect the same ending. To go back-to-back, they’ll have to evolve.

The Passing Game Must Carry More Weight
Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert have to be the engine. That means not just big plays, but consistent drives where Hurts operates with rhythm and balance.

New Offensive Identity
Instead of leaning on “we’ll wear you down,” this offense has to be more adaptable. Balance still matters, but explosive plays through the air need to become the centerpiece.

Situational Football
Last year, the Eagles didn’t need to win shootouts. This year, they will. That means execution on 3rd down and red zone trips will define them.

My Take

The Eagles’ 2024 run was special because it was different. They bullied the NFL into playing their style and came out on top. But 2025 is going to be about proving they can win in a more conventional way.

That means:

• Hurts has to be the guy for four quarters, not just in spurts.
• A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith need to tilt games.
• The interior OL has to stabilize enough to let the offense operate.

The defense will still win games. The run game will still have moments. But this year, the Eagles can’t live in the past. They have to become more of a modern offense while still keeping that Philly edge.

If they figure that out? Back-to-back is on the table. If they don’t? 4–0 will feel a lot more fragile than it looks right now.

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