Zach Berman is a senior writer at The Athletic. He covers the Eagles and the NFL. You can follow him on X on Twitter at Z-B-B-E-R-M.

Zach, thanks so much for making time for us. Today, the Eagles open up tomorrow night as the defending champions at home against the Cowboys.

By the way, guys, that line keeps climbing.

It's up to eight and a half from seven this time last week.

Zach, one of the questions we are wondering here, and we've talked a lot about it over the summer,

through training camp, and now even

as we approach week one, has Washington closed the gap at all on Philadelphia? I'm not sure

you've thought about it from Washington's perspective, but I'd like your reaction and answer to that if you have one.

No, I frankly don't think Washington has closed the gap, right? I respect what Washington did last

season. And I think, too, though, you look at the way the Eagles played in the championship game.

I understand, you know, I see some of the moves Washington made this offseason.

They're an older team.

They're an experienced team.

Obviously, the schedule is more difficult.

You know, there's things, whether it's injury variance or, you know, fourth down efficiency,

late game situations.

And I'm curious to see how sticky it is year to year.

But I look at the Eagles.

They've made two of the last three Super Bowls.

They have lost key players, but they have blue chip towering on both sides of the ball.

And, you know, they're going to be tough games because Washington's a good team.

But I don't think the

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