The Philadelphia Eagles had a very nice year under first year head coach Chip Kelly, who brought enthusiasm and excitement back to Philly. Now in the second year of his system, the Eagles look to take another positive step towards winning the Super Bowl. Won’t happen this year but they are on the right path. Vegas has the Eagles win total set at 9 (O -130… U -Even). Let’s take a quick look at the Philadelphia Eagles, along with their 2014 Schedule.
Last year the Eagle offense was ranked 4th in scoring, at 27.6 ppg, while also ranking 2nd in total yards (417.3 ypg), 9th in passing (256.9 ypg) and 1st in rushing (160.4 ypg). The Big question last year was if Chip Kelly’s high octane college offense would work in the NFL. Well that has been answered with a resounding yes. Nick Foles had an incredible year, finishing the year with 27 TDs and just 2 INTs, while completing 64% of his passes. I would assume he will be just as good in year two. Foles will lose WR DeSean Jackson, but Jeremy Maclin is back and Riley cooper showed that he is ready for the big stage. The Eagles have also added WR’s Jordan Mathews (Vanderbilt) and Josh Huff (Oregon) for some solid depth. The running game is all set with LeSean McCoy, who led the league with 1607 yards rushing a year ago. He will operate behind one of the best and most athletic lines in the league. Kelly showed that his offense will work in the NFL and now he is ready to take it to the next stage. This offense has weapons all over the field and a QB who makes few mistakes. Watch out this year.
Defensively the Eagles ranked 17th in points allowed (23.9 ppg), 17th in yards allowed (394. ypg), 32nd vs the pass (289.8 ypg) and 10th vs the run (104.3 ypg). The biggest weakness on this defense was vs the pass as they were last in the league in that category and they really did little to address this need. They seemed to go for more offense and didn’t draft a CB until their 4 th pick. Jaylen Watkins is a good pick but still they needed to address that secondary a bit more and I feel somewhere down the line it will cost the Eagles at the wrong time. The DL is solid and has been aided by the drafting of Marcus Smith, but most say he was a 2nd round pick, whereas the Eagles took him with the 26th overall pick. Still he has the speed and athleticism that Kelly likes. The Eagles also got a nice pickup with 5th round pick DL Taylor Hart, but still they need help in the DB. The front 7 is all set though. Overall I do see this as an improved defense, but there will be that crucial time this year that the DB let’s them down.
Chip Kelly had a very nice first year at the helm of the eagles and I feel this is still the team to beat in the NFC East. Their offense will again be one of the top three in the league, even without Jackson and the fact that Foles could regress some. He can’t throw just 2 INTs again this year, can he? I don’t think he will, but he will still have a very good year, plus it doesn’t hurt to have a very good group of WRs, plus a top notch OL and a running game that is the best in the league. On defense the Eagles will struggle against the pass and somewhere this year it will cost them a big game or two, but with their offense they always have a shot at outscoring everyone. I don’t think they will, but I do see at least 9 wins from them and another NFC East Title.
2014 Philadelphia Eagles Schedule
Sept. 7: Jacksonville Jaguars, 1
Sept. 15: at Indianapolis Colts (Mon.), 8:30
Sept. 21: Washington Redskins, 1
Sept. 28: at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25
Oct. 5: St. Louis Rams, 1
Oct. 12: New York Giants, 8:30*
Oct. 19: BYE
Oct. 26: at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05
Nov. 2: at Houston Texans, 1
Nov. 10: Carolina Panthers (Mon.), 8:30
Nov. 16: at Green Bay Packers, 1
Nov. 23: Tennessee Titans, 1
Nov. 27: at Dallas Cowboys (Thu.), 4:30
Dec. 7: Seattle Seahawks, 4:25
Dec. 14: Dallas Cowboys, 8:30*
Dec. 20: at Washington Redskins (Sat.), TBD
Dec. 28: at New York Giants, 1
Info Gathered From CBS Sports & Walter Sports
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