The Philadelphia Eagles will kick off the 2023 NFL season on the road at in Foxboro at Gillette Stadium with a matchup versus the New England Patriots in Week 1. Whether you’re still recovering from the Super Bowl loss or gearing up for the start of the football season, we’ll break down five key facts that you need to know before the Eagles vs Patriots Week 1 game.
1. Sirianni Has Been Among The Eagles Best Coaches Ever
After leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl appearance in just his second season, Sirianni has firmly established himself among the best Eagles head coaches ever.
Sirianni has the most wins by an Eagles head coach in his first two years with the franchise (23).
In 2022, he guided the Eagles to the winningest season in franchise history, posting a 14-3 record, which was tied for the best record in the NFL.
2. Dallas Goedert Is Ready For A Breakout Season
AJ Brown burst onto the scene in a big way in 2022, setting career-high marks across the board in his first season with the Eagles.
Now, it’s tight end Dallas Goedert’s turn to have a true breakout campaign.
Since taking over as the Eagles’ starting TE in 2021, Goedert ranks fourth in the league in receiving yards, second in yards per catch (13.8), and first in yards after catch per reception (7.3) among all tight ends.
3. Eagles Defense Has Its Eyes On NFL Sack Record
Last season, Philadelphia’s defense terrorized opposing quarterbacks en route to 70 sacks, the third-highest mark in NFL history.
Thanks to the additions of first-round picks Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith, Philadelphia’s defensive line might be even more talented in 2023.
The Eagles also had four different players reach double-digit sacks last year, becoming the first team since 1982 to accomplish the feat.
4. Brandon Graham Is Playing Better Than Ever
One of those players happened to be veteran Brandon Graham, who recovered 10 or more sacks for the first time in his career last season.
Graham finished with 10.5 sacks and joined Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones as the only NFL players in history to record their first double-digit sack season at age 34 or older.
Known for his consistency, Graham has had at least 8 sacks in four of his last five healthy seasons dating back to 2017.
It’s a scary thought but despite already being among the greatest Eagles defensive linemen of all-time Graham is playing arguably the best football of his career.
5. Haason Reddick Has Become A Sack Machine
In 2022, Haason Reddick became the first NFL player to record 10 or more sacks in three consecutive years with three different teams. During that span, Reddick has notched 39.5 sacks, the third-most in the NFL behind only Myles Garrett and TJ Watt.
Last season, Reddick finished with a career-high 16 sacks, which was tied for second in the NFL behind only Nick Bosa. Reddick also flashed a unique ability to force timely turnovers and finished had a league-high five strip sacks.
