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The 2026 NFL Playoffs arrive with the defending champions in an unfamiliar position. The Philadelphia Eagles are still standing, still dangerous, but no longer universally trusted. A season filled with uneven performances has reshaped how the league views them, even as January football once again demands respect for experience.
Philadelphia's reward for surviving the regular season is a trip west to face the San Francisco 49ers, a team that surged late and looks formidable on paper. A 7-1 finish gave San Francisco momentum and confidence, and Levi's Stadium will be fully convinced the path to the next round runs through red and gold.
Yet the playoff narrative shifted when Skip Bayless made his stance clear. The longtime analyst and unapologetic Cowboys supporter believes Philadelphia remains the NFC's top team, regardless of the doubts surrounding them.
Speaking on The Arena: Gridiron on Underdog Fantasy, Bayless predicted an Eagles victory over San Francisco and went further, projecting another Super Bowl appearance and a repeat title run in the NFL. His confidence hinges on a defense that continues to produce at a championship level.
I got the Eagles winning this game, as well as the NFC
Defense vs doubt: the numbers behind Bayless' confidence
Statistically, Bayless has a case. The Eagles finished the regular season ranked fifth in points allowed and 13th in total yards conceded. Around the league, that unit is still viewed as a playoff equalizer, especially in hostile environments.
The offense is where concerns grow louder. Philadelphia ended the year outside the top 15 in scoring and total yards, a notable drop from its Super Bowl run. Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown both saw production dip, and Brown's public frustration became a storyline that fueled questions about chemistry.
Even so, skepticism around the Eagles is matched by unease in San Francisco. The 49ers enter the postseason battered. Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and Tatum Bethune are sidelined, while players such as George Kittle and Trent Williams are managing injuries, as reported by ESPN. Quarterback Brock Purdy missed time earlier in the season before catching fire in November.
San Francisco's late push covered up many of those issues, but health has repeatedly shaped their postseason outcomes. Bayless believes that reality, combined with Philadelphia's defensive edge, tilts the matchup. If he is right, the Eagles' title defense may be just getting started.