The numbers behind Eagles' 2-1 start should worry the team

The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-1, which looks perfectly respectable three weeks into the season. Look beyond the record, however, and Philadelphia hasn't played much like a team that should scare the rest of the NFC.

Philadelphia's two wins weren't convincing

The Eagles opened the season with a 24-22 win over Washington, surviving after the Commanders failed on a two-point conversion that could have tied the game.

Then came Tennessee. Philadelphia needed a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining to escape with a 24-20 win over a Titans team that has started the season 0-3.

Winning close games counts the same in the standings. Nobody is taking either victory away from Philadelphia. But struggling twice against teams that weren't expected to contend becomes more concerning when followed by what happened Monday night.

Chicago didn't squeak past the Eagles. The Bears beat them 27-7 while starting 38-year-old Case Keenum at quarterback. Suddenly, 2-0 became 2-1, and those first two wins looked a little different.

The Eagles' numbers don't match their record

Through three games, Philadelphia has been outgained 961-907. Opponents have 58 first downs compared with 47 for the Eagles. Philadelphia has also been outgained on the ground, 382-332, and owns a minus-five turnover differential.

The scoreboard isn't any prettier. Philadelphia has scored 55 points and allowed 69, leaving it with a minus-14 point differential despite having a winning record.

One bad game obviously contributed heavily to those numbers. That's what happens when a team loses by 20 points. The concern is that Monday didn't come completely out of nowhere.

Even at 2-0, the Eagles had outscored their opponents by only six points. They weren't dominating teams and then suddenly stumbled against Chicago. They were surviving close games before the Bears finally made them pay.

Monday exposed problems Philadelphia had survived

The Bears controlled Monday's game despite being without Caleb Williams. Chicago finished with 375 yards, 24 first downs and nearly 37 minutes of possession. Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns without being sacked.

Philadelphia also committed 10 penalties and turned the ball over three times. That's difficult to dismiss as one unlucky night. There are reasons not to panic after three games. Washington has already shown it can compete, and an NFL season rarely unfolds neatly. Good teams have ugly losses all the time.

Philadelphia could still end up being one of them. For now, though, its record is doing a lot of heavy lifting. The Eagles have been outgained, outscored, have fewer first downs than their opponents and own a significant turnover deficit. Their two victories came by a combined six points, and their first loss came by 20.

The Eagles are 2-1. The numbers make that record look a whole lot better than the football they've played.