Eagles 'Sure Bet' as Most Likely Repeat Playoff Team?

Among last year's 14 NFL playoff teams, the Philadelphia Eagles are given the best chance at repeating a post-season berth this season.

Super Bowl hangover? NFC East repeat jinx? Difficult schedule? Nonsense.

When it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles, this season has a chance to be even better than last season. And considering they're coming off a three-point loss in the Super Bowl, that's an indication that the bar is set extremely high.

Every year in the NFL there are playoff teams - even division winners - that suffer a major and unexpected drop-off from the previous season. The 2022 Los Angeles Rams quickly come to mind. But, even given the obstacles, are the Eagles a candidate for such a regression?

The analysts at USA Today think not, as the Eagles top their ranking of teams most likely to repeat as playoff qualifiers. All 14 playoff teams from 2022 were ranked, with Philly have the least likely odds of a fall from grace.

Writes USA Today: "Their schedule is the league’s toughest (based on 2022 opponents' winning percentages), the coordinators are new, and there are different starters at running back and linebacker. But the reigning NFC champions otherwise return mostly intact, arguably boasting the best roster in the league top to bottom. Minus a catastrophic injury to QB Jalen Hurts, tough to imagine a scenario where this team isn’t at least among the conference’s seven best by the regular season’s conclusion."

Following the Eagles as playoff sure bets are the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs. The Dallas Cowboys are ranked eighth, meaning their return to the postseason is about 50/50.

Teams with the worst chances of returning to the playoffs? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (sans Tom Brady), Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.

First things first, the Eagles must avoid a Week 1 upset at the New England Patriots on Tom Brady Appreciation Day. Then they must do something no NFC East team has done in 17 years: repeat as division champs. Then they can return to the playoffs and work toward their bigger, ultimate goal.

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