The Eagles are 11-2 and are currently leading the NFC East, but how are they doing it?

The season started well, with a statement win over the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil. It was not all smooth sailing though, like when the Atlanta Falcons came to Philadelphia and took down the birds. In New Orleans, they took home another victory, but they would fall to another team in the South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which took them to 2-2 in the season. 

After this, the Eagles had a point to prove and would go on to win their next seven games, including a 34-6 victory over NFC East arch-rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, which took them to 9-2, at the top of the NFC East summit.

But how have they pulled off this great start? Many will say one man: Saquon Barkley. 

The Eagles star running back has 12 touchdowns, one ahead of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has also been having a season to remember with 13. Barkley, the New York Giants outcast, has grabbed 1,392 rushing yards, leading the NFL in rushing stats this season, and in doing so, making his name one to be considered for MVP. His contract with the Eagles lasts for three more years, so he is here to stay. 

With such a good run comes the pressure to keep it going, but can they? Last season, the Eagles had an even better start, only losing one compared to two this season. Soon after however, they collapsed, winning only two and losing the other five, and bowing out in their first playoff game. Can they avoid that this season? 

It has not been all high-flying though, with Brandon Graham picking up a season-ending tricep tear, in what is possibly his last season in a 14-year career as a defensive end, and Cornerback Darius Slay Jr. getting a concussion. 

After their latest exploits against the LA Rams, in which the Eagles carried out a commanding 37-20 win, Saquon Barkley had this to stated, ¨I can’t do it alone. I’m surrounded by great players. If you look at every single play that I made today, you see so many other players going above and beyond for me.¨