NFL Power Rankings: Philadelphia Eagles Will Continue to Spiral Down Rankings

The Philadelphia Eagles had a breather this past weekend, and they needed it as they head into a very rough patch of the schedule. If you were hoping for a dramatic rise in the power rankings, think again. 

I find no joy in watching the Eagles suffer through the start of this season. A team that was supposed to dominate has warranted just two wins in six tries. 

The supposed Dream Team has been mired by turnovers and a porous defense that has shown no signs of stopping the run. If they are going to make a push to the postseason, they have to make huge strides in shoring up a hole in the middle of the field occupied by ineffective linebackers. 

There is no doubt that they have the firepower on offense to win a bunch of ballgames in the second half of the season. I have no confidence in them figuring out the defensive portion of things. 

Dallas Cowboys

This week, they take on the Dallas Cowboys in what should be an assured win. That is if we were looking at this game before the season started. 

The Cowboys may have issues of their own, but the one thing they can do is run the ball. Felix Jones may be fit enough to play this game. That point doesn't matter as DeMarco Murray proved he can be the impetus for a great ground game.

I don't expect Murray to have another record-breaking game like he did against the Rams. But the Eagles run defense has me confident that he will at least put up another amazing game. 

Weeks of Misery

They then have to wage war against the Chicago Bears, a far more stout side that will be gunning to assert themselves over the Eagles. 

This is another team that can run the ball very well when you give Matt Forte the chance. That they get the Cardinals the week after is of little consolation as the Giants and Patriots loom in the near distance. 

As you can see, the start of the second half is a gauntlet that will test the notion of the Eagles as contenders. 

In a few weeks, we will either see a battle-tested squad that has either proved their worth, or squandered the season away. 

With the myriad of issues they had before their break, I am banking on them rolling over in one of the most disappointing stories of 2011. 

Gabe Zaldivar's Week 8 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New England Patriots
3. New Orleans Saints
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Detroit Lions
7. San Diego Chargers
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Buffalo Bills
10. Chicago Bears
11. New York Giants
12. Houston Texans
13. New York Jets
14. Atlanta Falcons
15. Oakland Raiders
16. Cincinnati Bengals
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
18. Dallas Cowboys
19. Tennessee Titans
20. Washington Redskins
21. Kansas City Chiefs
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Carolina Panthers
24. Cleveland Browns
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
26. Seattle Seahawks
27. Denver Broncos
28. Minnesota Vikings
29. Arizona Cardinals
30. St. Louis Rams
31. Indianapolis Colts
32. Miami Dolphins