Eagles, better than expected, should expect to host NFC title game | Marcus Hayes

Eagles coach Doug Pederson smiles at the end of the game against the 49ers.Eight months ago Jeffrey Lurie cautioned against saddling his Eagles with outsized expectations, and harped on the “holes” in the roster. Eight weeks ago, a few days before the season’s first game, Lurie said he only wanted an improved team that would “compete strongly” but declined to make the playoffs a goal for this season.

He was young then, and maybe a little foolish. We all were. How could he know that, half a season later, he’d own the best team in the NFL? How could any of us have known?

Now, there should be no caution. Now, there are no “holes.” Now, anyone connected with the team, whether by ownership share,…