Early-season NFC power rankings: Who are biggest Eagles threats?

It’s early, but it’s never that early in the NFL.

Through three weeks, I feel strongly saying this: The AFC may have the top-flight quarterbacks in pro football, but the NFC has a larger number of the best teams. We saw that when the Eagles stole a win in Kansas City in Week 2, and once again when the Lions ran all over the Baltimore Ravens last night.

That group is led, of course, by the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. We’re talking about a team that wins basically every single game, and has for a full calendar year. It’s a remarkable run, and one that rivals some of the best in the history of the sport. Any early-season NFC power ranking should have the Eagles at the top.

But after that? There’s a handful of contenders to choose from.

Here’s how I would rank the NFC teams through three weeks.

1. Philadelphia Eagles: They win in every way. The culture breeds winning and resiliency. Roster depth is unrivaled. You just know they’ll be there in the end.

2. Detroit Lions: Perhaps it was a fool’s errand to write off a team that won 15 games after one bad day in Week 1. It sure looks like Johnnie Morton can call plays with all those good players on this offense, huh?

3. Los Angeles Rams: No one has gone toe-to-toe with the Eagles like this group over the last 10 games.

4. Green Bay Packers: Too low? Probably. But a loss to the Browns is bad. For as good (potentially great) as they are, this is still a really young team. Are they mature enough to win 13 games and gain home field in a tough conference?

5. Washington Commanders: Winning by margin without Jayden Daniels was impressive—even if it was against the Raiders.

6. San Francisco 49ers: I was prepared to start sounding the alarms about this team being all the way back. Then the Nick Bosa injury news came down. It’s a huge blow. The 49ers are good, well-coached and will likely be a tough out. But they don’t have the horses on defense without Bosa.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I’m not buying it. Three last-minute wins isn’t sustainable.

8. Seattle Seahawks: This defense is ferocious.

9. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon’s team is well coached. Are they they last team to beat the Eagles at full strength, way back in December 2023? Think about it.

10. Minnesota Vikings: I have no idea who is going to play quarterback here the remainder of the season, but their defense will keep them in the playoff mix.

11. Carolina Panthers: Count me in as intrigued after a 30-0 win over Atlanta.

12. Chicago Bears: Positive signs finally emerged for Caleb Williams. Maybe they won’t be embarrassing after all.

13. Dallas Cowboys: Here come the injuries. A lot of losses will follow.

14. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Pennix looks lost. If not for a J.J. McCarthy meltdown and injury in Week 2, we’re talking about an 0-3 team.

15. New York Giants: What a wretched franchise for over a decade. They are lost at sea.

16. New Orleans Saints: They’ve competed on a down-to-down basis, but it’s the least talented team in a very good conference. Just pick their opponent in your survivor pool most weeks.

Our full reaction to an incredible, out-of-nowhere Eagles comeback win.

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