Philadelphia Eagles Mid-Season Report (2025): A 6-2 Juggernaut Forged by Offensive Firepower, Deadline Moves, and Controversy

Eagles Mid-Season Report: A 6-2 Juggernaut Dominating the NFC East

As the Philadelphia Eagles head into their Week 9 bye, the entire NFL has been put on notice. Sitting atop the NFC East with a commanding 6-2 record, the team is not just winning; it's evolving, dominating, and positioning itself as a primary contender for the Super Bowl.

Their most recent victory, a 38-20 dismantling of the rival New York Giants, was a microcosm of their season: elite quarterback play, newfound offensive balance, and an aggressive, opportunistic defense. However, the success on the field is matched by significant drama off it, including a major trade acquisition, persistent rumors surrounding a star wide receiver, and a league-wide controversy over their signature play.

This is a team firing on all cylinders, but one that is also actively managing its roster and its reputation as it prepares for the second-half push.

The Offensive Juggernaut Awakens

For the first part of the season, the Eagles' offense was good, but it felt incomplete. The much-hyped rushing attack, led by prized free-agent signing Saquon Barkley, had yet to find its footing. That all changed in Week 8.

The Barkley-Bigsby Breakthrough

Against his former team, Saquon Barkley finally had his signature Eagles moment. The offense exploded for a season-high 276 rushing yards, with Barkley leading the charge. He was electric, gashing the Giants' defense for 150 yards on just 14 carries, including a spectacular 65-yard touchdown on the Eagles' opening drive that set the tone for the entire game.

Before this game, Barkley had been averaging a pedestrian 52.7 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. On Sunday, he looked every bit the superstar Howie Roseman signed him to be.

The biggest revelation, however, was the emergence of rookie Tank Bigsby. In a stunning display of a "one-two punch" scheme, Bigsby entered the game as a change-of-pace back and ripped off 104 yards on only nine carries. This marked the first time since 2013 that two different Eagles running backs surpassed 100 rushing yards in the same game.

Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo's plan seems clear: use Bigsby as a powerful "relief pitcher" to keep Barkley fresh. This new-found balance makes the Eagles' offense, already one of the league's best, nearly impossible to defend. Defenses can no longer sell out to stop the pass or key in on Barkley; they must now account for a punishing, multi-faceted ground-and-pound attack.

Jalen Hurts: The MVP Campaign Continues

While the run game dominated the headlines, Jalen Hurts continued to build his Most Valuable Player campaign with ruthless efficiency. Against the Giants, he was a surgeon, completing 15 of 20 passes for 179 yards and four touchdowns, two of which went to tight end Dallas Goedert.

Hurts' 2025 season has been statistically staggering. Through eight weeks, he boasts:

• A 15-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (1st in the NFL)
• A 114.4 passer rating (3rd)
• A 7.6% completion percentage above expected (3rd)

He is on an incredible hot streak, having thrown for 505 yards, seven touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his last two games alone. Patullo has also praised the development of his deep ball, adding yet another weapon to his arsenal.

This offensive dominance was made possible by a "vintage" performance from the offensive line. After battling injuries to key starters like Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Lane Johnson early in the season, the unit asserted its will, opening massive lanes for Barkley and Bigsby and giving Hurts a clean pocket to work from.

Roster Shake-ups and Trade Deadline Drama

General Manager Howie Roseman has never been one to sit idle, and this trade deadline is no different. The Eagles have been at the center of the league's biggest news, both as buyers and as the subject of blockbuster rumors.

Eagles Acquire CB Michael Carter II from Jets

On October 29, the Eagles executed a significant trade, acquiring veteran cornerback Michael Carter II from the New York Jets.

• Eagles Receive: CB Michael Carter II, 2027 7th-round pick
• Jets Receive: WR John Metchie III, 2027 6th-round pick

This is a classic Roseman move. Carter II, a 2021 fifth-round pick, is a proven specialist in the slot. His arrival has a major ripple effect on the defense. It strongly suggests the Eagles plan to move rookie standout Cooper DeJean to a full-time role on the outside. DeJean, who has impressed with his versatility, will now be able to focus on one position, shoring up a young cornerback room under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

The A.J. Brown Rumors: "Shopping Without Shopping"

The biggest story swirling around the team is the future of star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Despite the team's success, persistent reports indicate that Brown has been frustrated with his role in the offense, which is now flush with other elite weapons like Barkley, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.

Brown, who has made several "head-scratching" social media posts this season, is reportedly being "eyed" by multiple teams ahead of the trade deadline.

The situation is complex. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Eagles are "not expected" to trade him and that it would require a "blockbuster offer." However, The Athletic's Diana Russini noted that while the Eagles insist they have no plans to move him, executives around the league believe a deal is possible.

It appears the Eagles are in a "shopping him without officially shopping him" scenario. They aren't actively making calls, but they are listening. While a mid-season trade of a player of Brown's caliber is unlikely, the fact that it is even being discussed is a testament to the high-stakes game Roseman is willing to play.

The "Tush Push" Controversy Boils Over

The Eagles' most reliable play is also its most hated. The "Brotherly Shove" or "Tush Push" was at the center of a major controversy in the Week 8 win.

On a critical 4th-and-1 in a 7-7 game, Hurts executed the push for a first down but lost the ball on the stretch. Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux clearly ripped the ball out and recovered it. However, the officials had blown the whistle early, ruling "forward progress was stopped," thus nullifying a game-changing turnover.

The play has infuriated opponents and baffled officials. The Green Bay Packers led a failed proposal to ban the play last offseason, and this latest incident will almost certainly ensure the topic is brought back to the league owners this winter. The Eagles have perfected a play that is, for now, legal, but one that many around the league feel is becoming impossible to officiate fairly.

Fangio's Developing Defense

Veteran coordinator Vic Fangio's defense is also rounding into form at the right time. The unit terrorized Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart, sacking him five times. In fact, Fangio went out of his way to praise Dart as an "elite scrambler," highlighting the difficulty his defense faced and overcame.

A key development has been Fangio's staunch defense of safety Reed Blankenship. While advanced metrics (like PFF) suggest Blankenship has taken a step back this season, Fangio dismissed those concerns, pointing to "intangibles" the stats don't capture.

Fangio called Blankenship the "traffic director" for a very young and complex secondary. It is Blankenship's job to align rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and the versatile Cooper DeJean. Fangio made it clear that Blankenship's high football IQ and on-field leadership are invaluable and a primary reason for the secondary's continued development.

Elsewhere on defense, star defensive tackle Jalen Carter recorded his first sack of the 2025 season against the Giants. And in more good news for the unit, team legend and veteran defensive end Brandon Graham is reportedly healed and eyeing his season debut in the Eagles' first game after the bye.

Conclusion: Primed for the Push

As the Eagles enter their bye week, they are in an enviable position. They are 6-2, in first place, and just found a dominant running game to pair with their MVP-candidate quarterback. Their Hall of Fame-level general manager just added a key piece to the secondary, and their veteran-led defense is finding its identity.

With the controversial-but-effective "Tush Push" in their back pocket and a balanced, high-powered offense, the Philadelphia Eagles are not just the team to beat in the NFC East. They are, once again, a legitimate and terrifying threat to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.