PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl, and they should be. But Philadelphia going back-to-back won’t be easy.
Entering Thursday’s season opener, the Eagles are tied for the second-best odds to win the Super Bowl. The Eagles and Buffalo Bills sit at +750, just behind the Baltimore Ravens (+650) and just ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs (+800) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Birds have a lot going for them. The collection of talent is obvious; Philadelphia led the league with nine players inside the NFL’s Top 100 Players list. And the team’s mindset is equally impressive, putting last year’s success in the rearview mirror and focusing solely on 2025.
Still, it takes a lot to win a Super Bowl, and even the Eagles’ best efforts could get derailed. Here’s a look at five things that could trip Philadelphia up.
Packers Micah Parsons Football
Green Bay Packers Micah Parsons speaks at his introductory news conference Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)AP
Micah Parsons to the Packers: Birds fans rejoiced when the Cowboys traded Parsons, which is more than fair. It was a terrible move by the NFC East rival, and now the Eagles won’t have to face him twice a year for the foreseeable future. But at least Dallas wasn’t a projected playoff team this year. Parsons landing in Green Bay strengthens an NFC title contender — and if the Eagles face the four-time Pro Bowler in the playoffs, he could be the difference.
CB2 issues: The Eagles’ biggest question mark of the summer was at cornerback. They were hoping Kelee Ringo would emerge as a Darius Slay replacement, and that didn’t happen. Adoree’ Jackson didn’t impress, and Jakorian Bennett still needs time to acclimate after being acquired from the Raiders. Concerns over who the CB2 is opposite Quinyon Mitchell is a champagne problem for Philadelphia. Other teams across the league have far bigger issues. But all it takes is one glaring weakness to get bounced in the playoffs.
Super Bowl 2025: Philadelphia vs. Kansas City
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)AP
Stopping Saquon: No, I don’t believe in the Madden curse. And no, I don’t think Saquon Barkley is due for a bad year just because he had 482 touches over the course of the regular season and playoffs. But the Chiefs put out a pretty good blueprint on how to limit Barkley in the Super Bowl. If defenses follow Kansas City’s lead in the postseason, can Jalen Hurts take advantage through the air like he did in New Orleans?
Injuries, injuries, injuries: The possibility of injuries isn’t exclusive to the Eagles. Every and any team could be affected. But All-Pro guard Landon Dickerson will be playing through a meniscus injury. Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith missed time this summer with minor issues. Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba has been limited, too. The Eagles had positive injury luck for the most part last year. They’ll need the same to make another run.
Brutal regular-season schedule: Seven of their nine road games are against teams that made the playoffs last year: Chiefs, Buccaneers, Vikings, Packers, Chargers, Bills and Commanders. They also host the Rams, Lions and Broncos — popular dark horse picks to win it all. I don’t see the Eagles missing the playoffs by any means. But there’s a good chance they don’t go 14-3 again, making the road back to the Super Bowl more difficult than it was last year.
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