Eagles top NFL power rankings; 'they're making it look too easy'

Yawn. After 12 weeks, it's officially become commonplace for national observers to concede that the 10-1 Eagles are the best team in the league and considered the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

"I think you are what your record says you are," FS1 host Jason Whitlock said. "They play in the NFC. They've got the best record in football. How can you go against the Philadelphia Eagles?"

Even noted Cowboys fans LeBron James revealed (to the chagrin of FS1's Skip Bayless) that Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is his favorite player in the NFL, telling my colleague Sarah Todd, "I just love the way he plays the game."

"The way he's able to get to progressions throughout the course of a three-step drop or a five-step drop and then, if everything breaks down, his ability to run, get outside the pocket, and make passes or get yards with his feet. Just a very smart player," James said.

Then there's Bleacher Report's Chris Simms. Despite keeping the Patriots at No. 1 on his weekly NFL power rankings list, Simms acknowledged, "I don't think it would be unfair for them to share the No. 1 spot with the Eagles."

Here's how national outlets ranked the Eagles this week:

ESPN (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"The Eagles have the best record in the NFL and are the most efficient team, according to [ESPN's Football Power Index] — and that's all thanks to balance. They've thrown for the most touchdowns, rushed for the most yards after contact, allowed the fewest rush yards per game and allowed the second-fewest yards per pass attempt."

NFL.com (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"The Eagles are rolling through the league right now — or electric sliding, if you happened to catch the late stages of their declawing of the Bears. Carson Wentz continues to be the talk of the league, but as my colleague Steve Mariucci pointed out this weekend, general manager Howie Roseman must be given credit for the depth he's acquired to bolster Doug Pederson's roster. Is this group stronger than the 2004 Philly team that made the Super Bowl with Terrell Owens? Or Dick Vermeil's boys in 1980, the first Super Bowl squad in franchise history? If you're really old school, maybe Wentz can equal Norm Van Brocklin, the last Eagle to win MVP, in 1960 — then really earn some kudos by winning the championship, like Van Brocklin's team that year. Exciting times in Eastern PA."

CBS Sports (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"They just keep right on rolling and Carson Wentz is getting better. They are the class of the NFC – by far."

NBC Sports (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"They're making it look too easy. At some point, it won't be."

Washington Post (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"The Eagles' last three wins have come by 28 points each. They haven't had a single-digit margin of victory since a five-point triumph at Carolina on Oct. 12. Will their lack of experience in close games come back to plague them at some point? Perhaps. But if that's your biggest problem, you don't have many problems."

Bleacher Report (Eagles ranked #2 | Last week's rank: 2)

"I view the Patriots as the top team in football, but I don't think it would be unfair for them to share the No. 1 spot with the Eagles.

Carson Wentz finds new ways to use different players each week. It's getting to the point where the Philadelphia offense is nearly as hard to defend as New England's because you don't know who to try to stop.

Now, I still think too much of the offense is on Wentz's shoulders because this isn't a scheme that just gets guys open. It's more Wentz throwing into tight windows or escaping pressure and making plays on the run. Still, it's hard to argue with the results.

When Philadelphia gets a lead, the Eagles are almost impossible to beat. It gives them the chance to lean on a physical run game. It also allows the defense to unleash the pass rush, which is one of the best in football."

The Eagles are Super Bowl contenders.

Yahoo! Sports (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"The Jay Ajayi trade looks peculiar three weeks into it. Ajayi has just 22 total touches in three games. He had just six touches on Sunday. It seems that rookie Corey Clement could have handled the role Ajayi has and it wouldn't have cost the Eagles a draft pick. However, Philadelphia will be playing deep into January, and perhaps Ajayi becomes more of a factor later in the season."

USA Today (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"Peaking too soon? They've won past three games by 28 points apiece, which is why NFC East may be wrapped before their three-game road trip starts Sunday."

SB Nation (Eagles ranked #1 | Last week's rank: 1)

"The Philadelphia Eagles are the favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII. They are 10-1, which is the best record in the league. This team, led by quarterback Carson Wentz, looks unstoppable. Once again, they are the top team in the power rankings heading into Week 13."