By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
It has been a very enjoyable beginning to the season for the Eagles thanks to a budding star at the quarterback position and a top flight defense.
But at the same time, very few predicted a 3-0 start. It has been a pleasant surprise, but does this roster have it in them to maintain success?
As the Eagles get back to business after a refreshing bye week, can they continue to play at a high level?
There are several factors that favor Philadelphia to continue to play well, and other components they may indicate inconsistent times ahead. Preseason predictions were not positive, especially after Sam Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings – signaling the beginning of the Carson Wentz era. There just wasn't enough preseason tape to get a feel of what Wentz really can be, but now it is known.
Let's focus on the weaknesses that remain on the roster. The receiver position lacks a true game-breaker, someone that will stretch the field and be a vertical threat. Wentz has more than adequate arm strength to throw the ball a mile, but the Eagles don't have a pass catcher that has blazing speed downfield. Jordan Matthews is a solid possession wideout, with above average run after catch ability. Dorial Green-Beckham has the potential to be a more consistent red zone menace, and occasional vertical threat, while Zach Ertz can work the seams.
Will the lack of a vertical threat be an issue as the season moves forward? It could, as defenses continue to make adjustments to the offense and Wentz's style.
If and when Lane Johnson is suspended, the offensive line will be impacted significantly. Johnson's appeal hearing took place on Tuesday, according to Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane, but a final verdict has yet to be reached and may not be reached until after Sunday's Week 5 game in Detroit. Regardless, his suspension could be reduced, but he will likely miss games.
When the suspension becomes official, Allen Barbre will probably move to right tackle, while rookie Isaac Seumalo will likely assume the vacant guard spot. The shuffling of the offensive line will downgrade the unit, or at the very least inexperienced. If this is the case, Wentz and the running game could be negatively impacted.
Defensively, it is hard to find a weak spot right now. They have proven through the first three regular season games and small sample sizes during the preseason that they are building something special led by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's scheme and elite defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. The lone concern that remains is the corner position, but rookie Jalen Mills is making strides.
Linebacker Nigel Bradham was arrested for the second time in three months this past week, this time for possession of a loaded gun at a Florida airport. Though Bradham had a permit for the gun, he was out on bond for an incident in July that involved an altercation with a hotel employee in Miami.
How much longer before the organization gets fed up with Bradham's careless ways? The poor judgement is a head-scratcher. If he isn't in the defensive equation due to these off-the-field incidents, the linebacking corps will suffer.
Meanwhile, there are several reasons to believe the Eagles can continue to succeed. They have a quarterback with all the traits of a franchise, winning signal caller, plus a defense that has dominant qualities thanks to a return of a mean streak, something that hasn't been witnessed since the Jim Johnson glory days.
One final reason to feel good about the Eagles as the season progresses is their superb coaching. Maybe "superb" is slightly overboard, but what isn't to like about this coaching staff. Doug Pederson is a first-year head coach in the NFL, but he has surrounded himself with some of the best assistants in the game today. They have had the team prepared each week, and that should continue as they get set to play on the road against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
There are several storylines to focus on as the Eagles prepare for the Lions. After getting embarrassed by Detroit on Thanksgiving last year, revenge is on the minds of the players that were on the team in 2015. Schwartz might not acknowledge it, but he has to be a little more fired up than normal to face the team he was the head coach of for five seasons (2009-2013).
After going through withdrawal this past Sunday, it is time for resume the arduous schedule ahead. With 13 straight weeks of regular season games, it is a marathon and a battle of attrition. The Eagles are back to business to prove they can maintain success, and that the 3-0 start wasn't a mirage.
