It’s hard to envision too much drama being centered around an 8-3 football team that’s in contention for the top seed in the NFC, but that’s the position the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves in.
It also feels like a stretch to call a Week 13 game against the 8-3 Chicago Bears a must-win, but in a crowded conference, there’s not much margin for error. The theatrics currently emanating from within the Eagles’ locker room will have to be put aside so long as the team continues to win.
Drama in Philadelphia is “Real”
The winning in Philadelphia can only mask so much. There are certainly real frustrations that have been brewing. Everything that you’ve heard about quarterback Jalen Hurts’ woes in the passing attack, wide receiver A.J. Brown’s frustrations over not receiving as many opportunities as a receiver as he’s used to, and running back Saquon Barkley not gaining any traction on the ground — it’s all legitimate.
“All that drama is real,” said NFL insider Ian Rapoport while reporting during Amazon Prime’s pre-game segment on Friday.
“The frustrations with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown wanting the ball, can they get Saquon Barkley going? It’s all going to get louder, especially if they lose here today.”
From Black Friday Football Pregame on @NFLonPrime: Discussing the #Eagles being built to handle the noise, plus the #Bears defense gets reinforcements. pic.twitter.com/fs2E0Wgsta
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2025
It could be a non-story so long as the defending Super Bowl champions are able to overcome it.
Rapoport also noted that Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie felt that he and general manager Howie Roseman constructed the team with matters like this in mind; the belief is that the noise won’t faze the players in their locker room.
Philadelphia Eagles Getting the Job Done Despite Stagnant Offense
The Eagles (8-3) started the season with four consecutive wins before losing two in a row. Heading into their Black Friday bout with the Bears (8-3), they’re coming off a last-second loss to the rival Dallas Cowboys, marking the first time the Eagles lost a game since Oct. 9.
In the meantime, Hurts hasn’t exactly thrived as a passer, despite having Brown and Devonta Smith at receiver. He’s thrown just two passing touchdowns in his last three games, and he’s failed to surpass 183 yards through the air in six of the Eagles’ 11 games this season.
That drop-off has created a clear ripple effect on Brown’s production. He has topped 1,000 yards in five of his first six NFL seasons, including all three with the Eagles, but sits at just 567 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games. Targets haven’t been the issue; he’s seen eight or more in seven of those contests. The problem has been converting them, as Brown has finished with fewer than 50 yards in six games so far.
Ditto for Barkley, who is currently in his second season with the Eagles after accumulating almost 2,300 yards from scrimmage a season ago. A potent running game typically strengthens the passing game. However, Barkley has surpassed 100 yards on the ground in just one game this season. He’s averaging 3.7 yards per attempt, which ties his career low for a single season.
For reference, Barkley averaged 125.3 rushing yards per game last season. Through 11 games in 2025, he’s averaging 62.2, or less than half. The Eagles offense as a whole has earned a PFSN Offense Impact grade of 74.8.
I think the eagles stink right now and will not be in any significant game towards a championship.