Eagles Enter 2025 NFL Season As Super Bowl Favorites Despite Key Defensive Losses

The Philadelphia Eagles, reigning Super Bowl champions with +650 odds to repeat, face skepticism about their 2025 prospects due to significant defensive losses, including key players like Milton Williams and Josh Sweat signing lucrative contracts elsewhere, raising concerns about their ability to maintain dominance early in the season against strong opponents. Despite these defensive challenges, the Eagles are favored to break the NFC East's 21-year streak without a repeat division champion, buoyed by young talent and the expectation of further improvement, positioning them as the division and conference favorites. ESPN's Football Power Index underlines the competitive nature of the NFC East, highlighting the Eagles' edge over rivals like the Cowboys and Commanders, even as other divisions see closely matched contenders. The Eagles also carry a narrative of enduring criticism and a 'villain' reputation in the NFL, which contrasts with their on-field success and strategic roster building by executives like Howie Roseman, who has secured valuable draft capital for the future. Their 2025 season will be closely watched, beginning with a high-profile primetime opener against the Dallas Cowboys, with hopes high for a second consecutive NFC East title and potentially another Super Bowl run. This combination of talent, organizational strength, and challenging schedules sets the stage for a pivotal and closely scrutinized campaign.