After the so called "Dream Team" was assembled the Philadelphia Eagles were picked by many to win the NFC East, but they fell flat on their faces after jumping out to a 4-8 start, before winning their last 4 to finish 8-8 and out of the Playoffs. After allowing just 11.5 ppg during their 4-0 finish last year and after have a very good Draft, the Eagles are poised to make a run at the NFC title. BetOnline has the Philadelphia Eagles listed at +500 odds ($100 to win $500) to win the NFC Championship and +135 odds ($100 to win $135) to take NFC North Title. The latest Super Bowl Odds for Philadelphia is +1000 ($100 to win $1000). The Over/ Under on games won is 10 for Philadelphia, with the Over being the favorite at -130.
Defense was to be the heart and soul of this team last year after grabbing Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the offseason to go along with Assante Samules (gone), but this group just didn't take to DC Juan Castillo's schemes and they struggled, allowing 23.5 ppg in their first 12 games, before giving up just 11.5 ppg in their last 5 games. The Eagles made a nice trade for DeMeco Ryans who was a tackling machine for the Texans and he just has a nose for the football. The draft was very good for this unit as they used their first three picks on defense, including DE Vinny Curry (Marshall), who may have been one of the bigger steals of the draft. After the way this unit fished last year and after the solid draft, plus the fact that they are in the 2nd year of Castillo's system, this defense has a chance to be scary good this year.
Offensively the Eagles had a good year, ranking 4th in total offense last year. Michael Vick just hasn’t shown much durability, but when he is on the field he is one of the most exciting players in the game. Philadelphia needs to let him play instinctively as that is where he is at his best, plus it also gives him his best chances to remain on the field. Vick does have some strong weapons at his disposable as well. DeSean Jackson is one of the most exciting players in the game and Jeremy Maclin is a playmaker as well and Damaris Johnson is a natural fit with these two and a formidable weapon for Vick to throw to. LeSean McCoy can carry the offense himself but the OL is a bit of a question mark. Still this will be an exciting offense that is very capable of topping the 25 ppg they put up last year.
Despite the 8-8 mark last year the Eagles still outgained their opponents by 74.2 ypg. It was TO's that killed them as they were -14 in that department last year, but teams usually bounce back after a number like that. The Offense set for some exciting times, while the defense will be very good now that they are in year 2 of Castillo's system. The Eagles also had one of the better drafts in the league as well. Add it all up and I see them doing what they couldn't last year and that's win the NFC East and make a strong run at the NFC Title. Vegas based Cantor Gaming has released pointspreads for weeks 1 through 16 and they have the Eagles favored in 13 games (1 undecided), which would put them well Over their O/U total of 10 wins this year.
Eagles Regular-Season Schedule and Pointspreads (Courtesy of Cantor Gaming)
(All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Cleveland, 1:00 PM (-7)
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Baltimore, 1:00 PM (-3.5)
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Arizona, 4:05 PM (-3)
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, NY Giants, 8:20 PM (-4)
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM (+1)
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, Detroit, 1:00 PM (-4.5)
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, Atlanta, 1:00 PM (-6.5)
Week 9: Monday, Nov. 5, at New Orleans, 8:30 PM (+2.5)
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, Dallas, 4:15 PM (-4.5)
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, at Washington, 1:00 PM (-3.5)
Week 12: Monday, Nov. 26, Carolina, 8:30 PM (-7)
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Dallas, 8:20 PM (-1)
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM (-5.5)
Week 15: Thursday, Dec. 13, Cincinnati, 8:20 PM (-7)
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, Washington, 1:00 PM (-9)
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at NY Giants, 1:00 PM (No Line Posted Yet)
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Wiseguy Franks Preparation for Football Season
Host RJ Bell talks with Wiseguy Frank about his experiences last season, betting strategies, and this upcoming season.