Super Bowl slump? So...is it fact or fiction?
Every year, we look for evidence to support the theory that with each championship win comes the moment when the pedestal gets snatched from underneath the victor and they take a not-so-graceful tumble.
The 2018 Eagles have resembled yet another franchise suffering from the post-big game lull. Backup quarterback Nick Foles filled in admirably during the team's Super Bowl run after Carson Wentz's late-season injury, and with Wentz still sidelined to start 2018, Foles was once again given the nod and the Eagles started 1-1 before Wentz returned to action.
Philadelphia's lineup fluctuated on both sides of the ball in the first six games, preventing either side from establishing a rhythm, and the record reflects that at 3-3 following a blowout victory over the Giants last week. The last reigning Super Bowl winner to start 3-3, the 2014 Seahawks, righted the ship, finishing 12-4 and reaching a second straight Super Bowl (where they lost to New England). Some other recent champions haven't fared as well: The 2012 Giants (began 4-2, finished 9-7), 2013 Ravens (began 3-3, finished 8-8) and 2016 Broncos (began 2-4, finished 9-7) missed the playoffs altogether.
As it stands, the Eagles are still neck-and-neck with the Redskins (3-2) and Cowboys (3-3) for the division lead, making their Week 7 game against the Panthers that much more pivotal to their chances of changing the narrative.
Carolina is 5-7 all-time against Philadelphia, including record-setting fourth-quarter comeback in 2018 and a win in the 2003 NFC Championship game.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Carolina Panther Julius Peppers (90) sacks Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Carson Wentz at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is hit by Carolina Panthers linebacker Greg Favors in the second quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives of the end zone but comes up a yard short against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs with the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Damaris Johnson (13) holds onto the ball as he is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown (34) is tackled by Carolina Panthers corner back Josh Norman (24) in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick stands on the field with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) after an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) runs past Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Nate Allen (29) for a 43-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia (7) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Kris Jenkins in the second half of their football game Monday, Dec. 4, 2006 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin pulls in a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers runningback Stephen Davis (48) is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mark Simoneau (50) while Eagles defenders converge during the second half Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004 in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Philadelphia Eagles defense and Carolina Panthers offense line up over the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panther James Bradberry (24) makes a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) pushes past Philadelphia Eagles' Sheldon Brown, center, as Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter, left, follows the action during the first quarter of their football game Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) and DeShaun Foster celebrate victory after they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Philadelphia Eagles' Donovan McNabb (5) falls into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter as Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) and Quinton Teal (26) defend during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. McNabb was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter (30) drops the ball thrown to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, right, in the end zone as Panthers cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. (24) defends in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004, in Philadelphia. Two plays later, the Eagles settled for a field goal on the drive. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2006 file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme reacts after he threw to DeAngelo Williams for a touchdown in the third quarter of their football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The Panthers signed Delhomme to a five-year, $42.5 million extension on Thursday, April 23, 2009, that keeps their quarterback under contract through the 2014 season. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (20) scores a touchdown against the defense of Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Michael Lewis (32) and linebacker Nate Wayne (54) during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (20) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. Eagles' Michael Lewis (32) and Mark Simoneau failed to contain him. Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) is visible. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Rickey Manning (24) runs back an interception as Philadelphia Eagles Hank Fraley (63) pursues during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Kris Magnum, left, congratulates Muhsin Muhammad (87) after he scored a second quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 in the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Offense rounding into form: After tearing his ACL in Week 14, Wentz watched the team he powered to an 11-2 record go on to win the franchise's first title. When he returned in Week 3 of this season, Wentz began his journey to picking back up from where he left off.
So far, Wentz has reinvigorated the offense. In four games, Wentz has gone 108-of-158 for 1,192 total yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. His 68.4 completion percentage is ranked seventh amongst QBs with at least 150 attempts and his 104.7 quarterback rating ranks ninth in the NFL. The offense in general has seen a boost in total yards; the Eagles have gained 350-plus in each of the four games. Wentz's immediate impact has been felt, but he wasn't the only important offensive piece missing for head coach Doug Pederson.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey returned in Week 4 after undergoing rotator cuff surgery in February. Jeffrey has totaled 18 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns in three games. Fellow wideout Nelson Agholor and tight end Zach Ertz served as the primary targets with Jeffrey inactive, and all three pose threats from anywhere on the field. The rotation has also missed veteran receiver Mike Wallace, who was placed on IR after fracturing his fibula in Week 2.
Something else to keep an eye on? The Eagles rank first in time of possession per game, but the blows to the run game could limit their effectiveness moving forward. With lead back Jay Ajayi on IR after tearing his ACL in Week 5 and change-of-pace back Darren Sproles sidelined with a hamstring injury since Week 1, the duties will belong to Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood. It wouldn't be shocking, based on trade rumors, if another name gets added to the carousel.
No running backs allowed: How does a team that ranked fourth in total defense in 2017 improve? By adding two multiple-time Pro Bowlers to their defensive line.
Defensive end Michael Bennett and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata joined a group that already included DT Fletcher Cox, DE Brandon Graham and linebacker Jordan Hicks, creating quite the human forcefield. Ngata is questionable for Week 7 after a calf injury sidelined him after Week 4, but he has contributed to the Eagles' strong run defense.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's group has held opponents to 19.3 rush attempts per game - the best in the NFL - and 79.8 rushing yards, the second least in the league.
The defensive line, along with the secondary led by Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins, have also limited teams to 19.5 points per game.
Executing the game plan against quarterback Cam Newton and the Panthers' top-five ranked rush attack is something the versatile Jenkins is making sure his guys are ready to do.
"I can't think of another quarterback in the league where they're running 'quarterback powers,' so you really have to account for him as a true running back in their run game, which is why they're always in the top of the league in rushing," Jenkins said. "It's things that guys aren't used to doing. So this week of preparation is going to be key for us.
"We won't have to prepare for these types of things for the rest of the year."
