PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles are ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s weekly NFL Power Rankings. A year ago, they were No. 25 in the preseason rankings.

After beating Washington in their season opener last year, the Eagles moved all the way up to No. 14. They slid up and down the rankings last season, finally getting to No. 11 by late December.

Clearly, coach Chip Kelly’s team is considered a contender by the more than 80 voters who determine ESPN’s Power Rankings. The Eagles are behind No. 1 Seattle and No. 2 Denver, the opponents in last season's Super Bowl, as well as New England, San Francisco, New Orleans and Green Bay.

The Eagles are 13th spots ahead of the New York Giants, the next-highest-ranked NFC East team. Dallas is No. 23 and Washington is No. 25, where the Eagles were at this point a year ago.

Kelly said he feels excited to start his second NFL season.

“It’s Year 2,” he said. “Obviously, we have a bunch of guys who have been around us. We’ve been around them. So you feel like you’re a little bit closer in terms of what we’re trying to get accomplished. We’re excited to get going. I just think there’s a comfort level. We’ve been around the guys longer, we have a better understanding of what they’re about.”

The Eagles began practicing Tuesday in preparation for Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are ranked No. 31, one from the bottom of the list.