This has been a super season for the Philadelphia Eagles. They hold the NFL’s best record at 10-1 coming out of their Nov. 26 game against the Buffalo Bills, and a growing number of people seem to believe they’re the best team in football.
But there are potential pitfalls ahead. They will play the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in the following two weeks, and both teams are looking to topple them and take over the NFC.
As impressive as the Eagles have looked at times, their passing defense is a concern. They rank 28th in passing yards allowed and 31st in passing touchdowns allowed, and this deficiency is something a team such as the 49ers or Cowboys, or the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that defeated them in last season’s Super Bowl, could expose.
Days ago, the Indianapolis Colts surprised some by releasing standout linebacker Shaquille Leonard, making him a free agent. ESPN insider Adam Schefter mentioned that the Eagles and Cowboys are interested in snagging him.
NFL News & Rumors: Shaquille Leonard, Philadelphia Eagles Updates
On Friday, Chris Franklin of 97.5 the Fanatic, a Philadelphia-based station, chimed in by saying he thinks the Eagles are the favorites to land Leonard.
Leonard had been dogged by a back ailment that needed surgery the past couple of seasons, and he was reportedly unhappy about not playing enough snaps in Indianapolis. But at age 28, he should have enough left in the tank, and on a Philly team that doesn’t need a superstar to come in on the defensive side of the football, he could be the final piece.
In five previous NFL seasons, he made the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro First Team three times each. In fact, the only season in which he didn’t earn either honor was last season, when he played in only three games due to back surgery.
Reportedly, there may be breadcrumbs indicating Leonard is already on his way to the Delaware Valley. One Twitter account of an Eagles fan noted that Leonard’s wife began following the wife of cornerback Darius Slay.
Leonard joining the team may be what is needed to allow the Eagles to whet their beaks on the Vince Lombardi Trophy this February.
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