Will it be a Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl rematch in New Orleans this February?

While it’s still too early to call, it’s easy to see how both teams can be considered favorites based on their play. The Chiefs have found ways to win this season, while the Eagles have been flexing their muscles lately.

Yet, any Detroit Lions’ fan can certainly make their case. Or how about those Washington Commanders? Will the 49ers and/or Rams win the West?

In this week’s version of my Inside the Huddle column, I’ll take a look at the state of the league after the midway point, as well as some old and new looks and trends around the league.

Staying Pat ... Surprisingly, the Eagles didn’t make a move at the NFL trade deadline Tuesday. They held firm with their current team, and there was plenty of scuttlebutt for leaning either way.

Despite the questionable calls and decisions from their head coach Nick Sirianni, the Birds looked like a championship caliber team. Saquon Barkley has been looking more like Walter Payton with his moves and on his way to a 2,000-yard season. When he is on, Jalen Hurts is another dangerous weapon and DeVonta Smith (35) and A.J. Brown (23) have combined for 58 catches.

But it has been the state of the Eagles’ current defense that could carry them to another Super Bowl appearance.

Edge rusher Zack Braun is a rising star and leads the team in tackles (79) with three sacks, and linebacker Josh Sweat has five sacks. Their front seven is among the best in the league, and corner Cooper St. Jean has proven to be a valuable addition.

There’s plenty of season left, but also plenty of optimism.

Stacking the Deck ... Kansas City continues to show more ways why its is the current favorite, with Detroit on their tail being active in the NFL trade deadline. However, most of the league’s other top contenders were also busy.

It appears the Chiefs have more luck on their side, as once-promising rookie running back Kareem Hunt returned as a free agent signing in late September to replace the injured Isaiah Pacheco. In five games, Hunt has rushed for 414 yards, including a 102-yard effort against Tampa Bay Monday night.

The Chiefs also may have resurrected the career of 32-year-old wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who caught eight balls with two touchdowns against Tampa, and 10 of his 25 catches on the season have been with the Chiefs in two games. It looked like Hopkins and Patrick Mahomes had a strong connection.

Baltimore’s stock is also rising, and the Ravens added Rams’ cornerback Tre’Darious White, along with Carolina wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Washington tacked on New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore, Pittsburgh added Jets’ wide receiver Mike Williams and Green Bay defensive lineman Preston Smith, San Francisco picked up Houston defensive tackle Kahlil Davis, Detroit added Cleveland defensive lineman Za’Darious Smith, and Dallas desperately added Carolina wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (Are the Cowboys finally done?).

Play That Number ... After last week, there were seven teams that had a record of 2-7. Those teams were Jacksonville, New England, Cleveland, Las Vegas, the Giants, Carolina and New Orleans.

The Saints fired Dennis Allen Monday, and Doug Pederson is still under fire in Jacksonville. Brian Daboll has been gaining in negative reactions with the Giants.

Carolina will meet the Giants in Germany Sunday morning.

Miami and Tennessee also have 2-6 records.

The NFL has always been seeking parity, but not at this level. If you need a number, play 27 or 72.

Mild, Mild West ... The Rams and 49ers have struggled through the first half, as both have 4-4 records. They each could make an intriguing final stretch of the season, with both still showing plenty of positive signs of shaking their early doldrums.

However, the Rams have won three straight, their latest a 26-20 overtime over Seattle. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has prime targets Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua healthy, The Rams have Miami, New England, the Eagles (Sunday night), New Orleans, Buffalo, and are at the 49ers over their next six games.

The 49ers have been clicking better, winning two of their last three games, their latest a 30-24 victory over the Cowboys. George Kittle and Deebo Samuel have both been climbing the charts with their recent performances. San Francisco has Tampa Bay, Seattle, Green Bay, Buffalo, Chicago, and will host the Rams over their next six.

As far as the Seahawks...I don’t see them going far with Gino Smith.

Up and Over the Hill ... Winning football is back in Washington, and it’s good for one of the league’s iconic franchises. Gone are the days of beleaguered owner Daniel Snyder, and his many bad player signings and coaching hirings. Ironically, it’s Sixers owner Josh Harris who has ushered in a new era.

There is a new feeling of stability in Washington, and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been the stabilizer.

There are still plenty of doubters, but the 7-2 Commanders will be tested in the coming weeks with the Steelers, Eagles and a Thanksgiving Day tussle with Dallas.

They do have a soft schedule aside from the Eagles again and the Falcons. Dallas is the final game.

With the Commanders on the postseason precipice, it will certainly conjure some memories of the 1972 “Over the Hill Gang.”

George Allen took over the Redskins in 1971, and the following year he decided to create a roster, whose average age was 31.

Think back to the names of Billy Kilmer, Jack Pardee, Pat Fischer, Mike Bass, Myron Pottios, Maxie Baughan, Diron Talbert, John Wilbur, Boyd Dowler, Roy Jefferson, Richie Petitbon, Ron McDole, Vernon Biggs, and Rosey Taylor. Larry Brown established himself as one of the league’s dominant rushers, and averaged 101.3 yards per game in ’72.

As a kid, it was great to see all of these veteran players who you knew on one team.

The ’72 season saw the ‘Skins finish with an 11-3 record, and march their way to the Super Bowl for a showdown with the undefeated Dolphins. Miami won a tight game, 14-7, and held Brown to 72 yards on 22 carries.

Allen worked his magic with a 38-year-old Kilmer until 1977, when he finished 9-5, but failed to reach the postseason for the second time in three seasons. Joe Theismann took control under new head coach Jack Pardee the following season.

The “Over the Hill Gang” was a memorable piece of the NFL fabric, and they – like the Oakland Raiders – will always be the Redskins to me.

Topping Off - Here are my top five teams:

1. Chiefs (8-0) – Hitting on all cylinders, they’re getting scary already

2. Lions (7-1) – Another very scary team on the rise

3. Ravens (6-3) – Derrick Henry is a running steamroller.

4. Bills (7-2) – Josh Allen is heating it up.

5. Eagles (6-2) – What team will slow Saquon?

Bottoming Out – Here are my five worst teams (worst to five worst):

1. Saints (2-7) – Derek Carr is back, but will he help?

2. Patriots (2-7) – Drake Maye is looking like a rookie.

3. Raiders (2-7) – Looks like a total mess for new owner Tom Brady.

4. Panthers (2-7) – They won their second game, but it’s still bad.

5. Titans (2-6) – See above.

Matriculating Down the Field ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, game, or situation from the past.

It’s another Eagles-Cowboys weekend, and there was a classic Monday night matchup on Nov. 12, 1979 that featured the 7-4 Eagles against the 8-3 Cowboys at Texas Stadium. Dallas was a 10-point favorite.

However, the heavily-favored Cowboys didn’t discourage the Eagles.

The Birds jumped out to a 24-7 lead after three quarters thanks to a pair of Ron Jaworski touchdown passes, and John Walton’s 29-yard scoring strike to Charlie Smith. Walton came into the game for a shaken Jaworski in the second quarter before “Jaws” returned.

Dallas closed late to 24-21 on Roger Staubach’s third touchdown pass, but Wilbert Montgomery’s 37-yard touchdown dash sealed the victory.

Jaworski went 12 of 29 for 145 yards with three touchdowns, while Staubach was 17 of 28 for 308 yards with three TDs. The Eagles sacked Staubach five times, while Dallas sacked Jaworski three times.

Montgomery ran for 127 yards on 25 carries, and Dallas’ Tony Dorsett was held to 53 yards on 13 carries.

Your thoughts are always welcome. Email tnsports@tnonline.com.