The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2025 season positioned to accomplish something no NFC East team has done in over two decades: repeat as division champions. The defending Super Bowl champions, coming off their dominant 40-22 victory over Kansas City, face the challenge of ending the NFL's longest active streak of divisional parity.
The NFC East hasn't crowned back-to-back champions since Philadelphia's own four-year run from 2001-2004. That's 21 years of musical chairs atop the division standings, with all four teams capturing at least two division titles from 2007-2021. But 2025 feels different for the Eagles, who look built to dominate rather than simply defend their crown.
The national media has taken notice. NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha included the Eagles in his list of 10 way-too-early bold predictions for the 2025 season, predicting Philadelphia will be the first NFC East team in 21 years to repeat as division champions.
"We know this is one of the longest-running streaks in the league, but it's time for it to end. That's how good Philadelphia is going to be this coming season," Chadiha wrote. "The core of the defending Super Bowl champions remains very much intact."
Last year's championship run featured elite performance across the board. Philadelphia's 14-3 record was backed by the NFL's top-ranked defense and seventh-ranked offense. The core remains largely intact: Saquon Barkley coming off a 2,000-yard season, Jalen Hurts proving his leadership, and elite receivers and offensive line play. Defensively, coordinator Vic Fangio works with talents like Jalen Carter, All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun, and promising second-year backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
"This team won 16 of its last 17 games last season and pounded Kansas City in the Super Bowl," Chadiha noted. "Just as importantly, a good number of players were around for that epic meltdown in the second half of the 2023 season. They surely learned a lot about the challenges of success."
The sportsbooks reflect Philadelphia's dominance potential. According to FanDuel NFC East division odds, the Eagles are betting favorites to repeat at -135 odds, an implied probability of 57.45 percent. The Washington Commanders represent the biggest threat at +205 to +230 odds, while Dallas and New York trail significantly behind.
The Eagles' path appears clear. Washington's 2024 run was built on overachievement, ranking just 18th in Net Yards per Play. Dallas enters with more questions than answers under first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The Giants appear destined for another rebuilding year.
While ending the NFC East's 21-year repeat drought would be historic, the Eagles have bigger aspirations. With FanDuel offering Philadelphia at +650 odds to win the Super Bowl, they're positioned as legitimate contenders to join Kansas City as back-to-back champions.
All signs point to Philadelphia breaking the NFC East's historic pattern of parity. After 21 years of waiting, the division appears ready to crown its first back-to-back champion since the Eagles' early 2000s dynasty. The 2025 Philadelphia Eagles look poised to make history.