The Philadelphia Eagles built a reputation as one of the NFL’s toughest teams, but 2026 has not matched it. They are 2-5 and have lost five straight, so the honest question is whether that reputation still holds. Here is the record, the problems and the case that they can recover.
The Reputation Is Real
Philadelphia went 14-3 in 2024 and won the Super Bowl, and it finished 11-6 in 2025 to win the NFC East for a second straight year. Coach Nick Sirianni’s team was known for a dominant defense under Vic Fangio, which allowed the fewest yards in the league in 2024, and for a strong running game led by Saquon Barkley.
What Has Gone Wrong in 2026
The Eagles are 2-5 and third in the NFC East. They started with two wins, were then beaten heavily by a Bears team playing without Caleb Williams, and lost 38-21 to the Cowboys on Monday night. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, receiver DeVonta Smith and others missed that game with injuries. The offense is averaging 18.1 points per game, 29th in the league, and Hurts has thrown for 933 yards and eight touchdowns with a 57.8 completion percentage.
Pressure on Sirianni
CBS Sports ranked Sirianni among the coaches on the hot seat after Week 7, and Yahoo Sports notes that this is the second straight season in which the Eagles have fallen short of expectations. His status beyond this season is described as uncertain.
The Case for a Recovery
A healthy Hurts, Barkley and Smith give Philadelphia more talent than its record suggests, and the Eagles visit Washington, a team also looking for its first division win. For another contender with a very different 2026 story, see our look at the Detroit Lions.
The Verdict
Right now, the title “one of the NFL’s toughest teams” describes the Eagles’ recent past more than their present. Whether it returns depends on health and a quick turnaround. Standings change weekly, so check the latest results.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN, Pro Football Reference, Wikipedia.