The Eagles made the playoffs
This might seem too obvious, but there's something to be said for staying off the list of Super Bowl champions who missed the playoffs the next season. At one point, it looked like the Eagles might even become the first team to finish with a losing record the following year since the Bucs in 2003.
Beyond that, the run to the playoffs was unexpected and plain fun. The Eagles won six of their last seven games, including the memorable Double Doink in Chicago, before the magic finally wore off in New Orleans. Considering their 4-6 record in November, that's nothing to be ashamed of.
Vintage Cre'Von LeBlanc
There's no way a team can overcome the sheer number and magnitude of injuries the Eagles faced and make the playoffs without the rise of at least one player from obscurity. That would be Cre'Von LeBlanc.
How good was LeBlanc? The Eagles may very well have found their nickel cornerback for 2019, perhaps beyond. The third-year veteran is under contract through next season, and there's no question he'll be competing for the job after the fine job he did in the slot over the last seven games. Not bad for a guy who only signed in November.
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Isaac Seumalo turned out to be a player
This time last year, Seumalo looked like a bust. He lost his starting job the previous season and spent much of OTAs and training camp as a third-string center. Somehow, he managed to win his job back at left guard and actually played very well.
Maybe Seumalo was worth a third-round draft pick after all.
Cameron Johnston
Yes, the punter. Johnston finished third in punting average and first in net average. Granted, this is not a super exciting development, although, at one point in the season he was one of the Eagles' few consistent players.
Zach Ertz makes history
It's not every year you see somebody catch 116 passes in a season. Until 2018, the league had never seen a tight end do it - and it could be a long time until we see one do it again. It was easy for Ertz's record-setting campaign to go somewhat underappreciated while the Eagles were struggling, but it was a special feat nobody should soon forget.
At least Carson Wentz's knee is OK
Hopefully, the back injury isn't something that will affect Wentz beyond this season. The good news is that knee seems fine after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL. Look for some of his mobility and that uncanny escapability to return in 2019.
A proper sendoff for Nick Foles …
While there's nothing positive about Wentz's latest injury, if this was Foles' last go-round with the Eagles, as expected, at least he got the chance to go down swinging. Another improbable Foles run excited the fanbase, in a sense giving Philadelphia a chance to say goodbye.
… And likely avoided a quarterback controversy
It was the epitome of bittersweet. Foles simultaneously raised his trade value, should the Eagles attempt to deal him this offseason, while his performance in the playoffs and particularly against the Saints made it clear why the organization is sticking with Wentz.
Nobody would take that certainty over another Super Bowl, given the choice. Yet, if there was any benefit to this season ending when and how it did, this was it.
The organization is positioned to compete
The Eagles had the depth to overcome a zillion injuries because the job Howie Roseman and the front office did. They had the ability to climb out of a 4-6 hole because Doug Pederson and the coaching staff held the locker room together and adjusted their schemes. Despite everything that went wrong, this wound up being one of the top eight teams in the NFL in 2018.
No matter where the roster goes from here, the leadership is in place to replenish the talent pool, then guide the Eagles back to the Super Bowl. I have zero doubt they will be back on the big stage soon.
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