Putting the Eagles' 5-0 start in perspective

Philadelphia is off to a 5-0 start for the fourth time in franchise history. Where does their current record rank with Eagles teams of the past and what could it mean for the rest of 2023?

1981

It took the Eagles 49 years to start a season with five straight victories. They actually went 6-0 before losing to the Vikings in Week 7. In their first five games, Philadelphia outscored opponents 109-53 with an average of 21.8 points per game. To put that into perspective, that number would tie Philadelphia with Baltimore for 17th place in 2023.

More impressive was the defense giving up just 10.6 points per game to start the season. Marion Campbell was the team’s defensive coordinator back then and he’d eventually take over for head coach Dick Vermeil in 1983. 

Of Philadelphia’s 5-0 teams, the 1981 squad is easily the most disappointing. One year after playing in Super Bowl XIV, they finished with a 10-6 record before losing to the Giants in the NFC wild-card Game.

2004

Coach Andy Reid’s squad kept their hot start going in 2004 with three more wins before losing to Pittsburgh in Week 9. With players like Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens on the roster, the Eagles outscored opponents 137-63 through their first five games. They finished the season with a 13-3 record and the second NFC Championship in franchise history. 

McNabb and Owens aside, the late Jim Johnson’s defense had a lot to do with the team’s success. Their 260 points allowed tied the Patriots for second-fewest in the league in 2004. Ironically, New England beat Philadelphia 24-21 in that year’s Super Bowl.

2022

Philadelphia waited until Week 10 (with a bye week) to get their first loss last year, finishing the season with a 14-3 record and another NFC Championship. Only the Chiefs (their Super Bowl opponent) scored more points than the Eagles (477) last season, and only the 49ers allowed fewer yards (301.5) per game.

Among the team’s first five opponents, only the Jaguars went on to make the playoffs last year. That’s a pretty good schedule, but not as good as 2023.