Based on the current offseason chatter, you'd think the Eagles went 12-5 and swept the NFC East last year. But while the Dallas Cowboys accomplished those things and are the reigning Division Champions, many seem to be favoring Philadelphia going into 2022.
Just yesterday we shared an article from a national sports media outlet that ranked Nick Sirianni over Mike McCarthy among all NFL head coaches. Eagles RB Miles Sanders is out here calling his squad an “all-star team.”
Even Vegas, while still favoring Dallas to win the division this season, is giving Philadelphia nearly identical odds.
While we certainly don't like seeing our Cowboys disrespected, I have no issue if the mainstream wants to put the spotlight on another squad ahead of the season. Dallas is usually the team having to avoid “eating the cheese” and believing the hype; underdog status is something rarely seen around here.
Bill Simmons has often talked about the “nobody believes in us” mentality and how it can fuel teams to achieve. It's something the Cowboys haven't usually had going for them, but could come into play in 2022.
Hyping up the Eagles is one factor, but some are downgrading Dallas after their offseason. Many are wondering how the team will fare after the losses of Amari Cooper, La'el Collins, and Randy Gregory. Excitement about the draft is mitigated by questioned early picks in OL Tyler Smith and DE Sam Williams.
It's fair to wonder how the pass rush will fair without Gregory, or how Terence Steele will hold up as the new starter at right tackle. If you're worried about the passing game's effectiveness with James Washington or Jalen Tolbert as a top-three WR, you're not crazy.
Still, the Cowboys have some big things going in their favor. They still have the best QB in the division in Dak Prescott. They have an elite, game-changing defensive player in Micah Parsons.
And despite some reasonable concerns, Mike McCarthy has still proven more as an NFL head coach than any of the divisional rivals'.
So by all means, pump up Philly and anyone else while you're at it. Tell this team they're not good enough to win the division or do anything meaningful in the playoffs.
It's not often that the Cowboys get to prove people wrong in a good way.
