With the 2025 NFL Draft now over and summer approaching, teams will soon report to training camp. The current rosters will be mostly what we will see when the regular season begins in September.
For Philadelphia Eagles fans, there might be a reason to feel a little disrespected by ESPN’s latest projections.
Despite a dominant run in Super Bowl LIX and taking home the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy, the Eagles rank fourth in ESPN’s projections for the 2025 NFL season.
But wait, because the Super Bowl favorites are also the fourth-ranked team. How strange, isn’t it?
Philadelphia Eagles with a rare projection
The betting model has Philadelphia tied with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs with the highest win projection, at 11.5, but still ranks them behind the three overall.
Philadelphia’s playoff run in 2024 was historic. The team stormed in with 55 points in the NFC Championship Game, more than any other team in a conference title game since the creation of this round in 1970, and culminated the run with a resounding 40-22 victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIXSaquon Barkley led a balanced offense, while the defense rebounded from an inconsistent regular season to dominate the elite.
According to ESPN‘s model, these are the top 10 projected teams for 2025:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Buffalo Bills
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Detroit Lions
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Washington Commanders
ESPN‘s model is based on a combination of player data, expected win totals and historical trends.
While the Eagles don’t top the list, they are projected to have another elite regular season. Their projection of 11.5 wins matches the highest mark in the league and reflects continued confidence in Jalen Hurts, Nick Sirianni‘s coaching staff and Howie Roseman‘s deep roster construction.
Philadelphia has won 11 or more games in three consecutive seasons (its longest streak since the early 2000s) and is getting back most of its championship core. This includes key additions and developing players from a loaded 2025 NFL Draft class, such as linebacker Jihaad Campbell and safety Andrew Mukuba.
ESPN contradicts itself in its projections
Interestingly, ESPN’s betting site paints a different picture. According to ESPN BET, the Eagles are currently co-favorites along with the Chiefs at +600 to win Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara
That confidence in the betting highlights a clear gap between regular season models and playoff potential.
As we often say when it comes to computer results: the information obtained is only as good as the information entered.
While fourth place may be an inconvenience for fans hoping for a prominent position, the Eagles head into the 2025 season exactly where they want to be: as defending champions with the highest expectations.
In reality, as long as they have the Lombardi Trophy, they are the ones everyone is chasing.
Read the full article here